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| Thread ID: 104909 | 2009-11-12 07:46:00 | Hard Drive Configuration | Grimy (3041) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 829498 | 2009-11-12 07:46:00 | I will shortly be getting some bits together to build a new PC. I'll be using the PC for general use, plus a bit of video editing. This question is regarding the Hard Drive. When it comes to the Hard Drive and its set up what are my options? I'll be using a WD Caviar Green 1TB HD, which I know is not particularly fast. Should I; Use it without any partitions? Partition it for the OS? Should I use a second, smaller high performance HD for the OS (and perhaps programs)? I'm sure I don't need the performance (I would have bought a faster drive than the WD Green if I was that keen), but wondered if there are advantadges/disadvantages to any of the above set-ups? Thanks. |
Grimy (3041) | ||
| 829499 | 2009-11-12 07:49:00 | I would partition it, or it'll take forever to format next time | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 829500 | 2009-11-12 08:00:00 | I would create one primary partition for O/S and programs and at least one other partition as an extended partition to contain data. the extended partition would contain several logical drives to make backing up the data as painless as possible. | Sweep (90) | ||
| 829501 | 2009-11-12 08:28:00 | I would create one primary partition for O/S and programs and at least one other partition as an extended partition to contain data. the extended partition would contain several logical drives to make backing up the data as painless as possible. Thanks for that. I'd wondered if I should put the programs in the same partition as the OS. When you say an extended partition, do you mean a large one with different drive letters? As a rough guide, what size partitions would you suggest on 1TB for OS/Programs/Data? |
Grimy (3041) | ||
| 829502 | 2009-11-12 08:34:00 | As a rough guide, what size partitions would you suggest on 1TB for OS/Programs/Data? It depends on what programs you want to install and how many there are, and how much data you have got. Use your current setup as a guide and allow plenty of extra room. Try and keep your video partitions fairly large or you will soon run out of room once you get quite a collection. |
FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 829503 | 2009-11-12 08:37:00 | As a backup option I would suggest a 2nd drive just incase the 1TB fails. You could create a 100GB partition for the OS and programs and 2 other partition for data and other stuff. Out of the 2 partitions one can contain all the data and that should always be backed up to another drive (external HDD maybe). Just my 2cents. Hope this helps | ronyville (10611) | ||
| 829504 | 2009-11-12 08:55:00 | Many thanks for the ideas/options. I do currently back up to an external drive with Sync Toy. Although I'll probably have to upgrade that as it's only 200Gb. | Grimy (3041) | ||
| 829505 | 2009-11-12 10:25:00 | I find that partitions annoy me more than anything. They're unlikely to speed anything up and if you find one's running out then it can be a real hassle to change it back. If a partition goes corrupt then you've got a stop measure with multiple partitions but regular backups achieve the same thing. My current setup has two 500GB HDD's (Used to be in RAID1, but couldn't be bothered with that either) I have a 20GB partition on one HDD for Linux (Currently empty after failed Ubuntu4.10 update). I like having that space to be able to play with if I ever choose to. I have the OS and most applications on one of my drives and I keep all of my Games, Music and Videos on the other one. One for work, one for play. Your two best options for faster, high performance drives are 1.) High RPM HDD, a la Velociraptor 2.)SSD. Neither are very high capacity and both are EXPENSIVE. RAID1 is another option but that has it's own issues and I never noticed that much of a performance boost. If I were you, I'd go with the 1500GB and have an external HDD for backing up to. My Seagate has an automated backup which I just discovered. HDD's aren't your first stop for computing performance until you start throwing big dollars at them, so I'd think of spending elsewhere on the rig if I were you. However if you do decide to throw money at it, I'd go for a 128GB SSD, which seems to be the sweet spot $/GB. |
Thebananamonkey (7741) | ||
| 829506 | 2009-11-12 17:53:00 | That sounds sensible. The 3 PCs I've had so far have not been partitioned, but I have thought it would probably be a good idea to at least separate the OS and probably programs-is there any merit in making 1 for the OS, 1 for the programs and the rest for data/files? I don't want multiple partitions (at least I think I don't), but I like the idea of making one that may not be used, but is there if I want to muck around with something. Cheers. |
Grimy (3041) | ||
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