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Setting up a new ssd

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Hi,

I just got a new SSD, the crucial mx100 256gb. Can anyone help me in setting it up? Also how many partitions should ideally be setup on an ssd? I was thinking of making 2, one for the OS and programs and another for games. Would that impact the life of the ssd?
 
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Just install windows. No need for partitions IMO, just a pain further down the line. Install OS and software on it, games I tend to install on a HDD, as SSD doesn't provide enough improvement to warrant wasting precious SSD space on them. I only drop LoL and such on my SSD, or the really common games.
 
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I only plan to install games that will be installed for a long time. Such as skyrim and borderlands. Others will go on the HDD. What about partitions? Should there be a single one or multiple partitions?
 
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I only plan to install games that will be installed for a long time. Such as skyrim and borderlands. Others will go on the HDD. What about partitions? Should there be a single one or multiple partitions?

I don't bother with partitions these days, personal preference I guess, but I've never found a use for them when I have an SSD and HDD.
 
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My Asus laptop came with 256GB SSD and had 2 partitions, one 95GB for OS and the other partition 121GB I use for most used games.
 
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No partitions on an SSD. There is just no benifit

Fresh install the OS and your favorite games. Data and other games on the other drive. The only reason for partitions would be to protect data (which is why its on your other drive) or Linux.
 
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Install OS
install chipset and gpu drivers
reboot
install the rest of your drivers
install rest of your games/data.
Enjoy.

Partitions are your choice. If you want to separate your os from your games via partition that can save you time on reloading things.
 

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Aquinus

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The only reason for partitions would be to protect data (which is why its on your other drive) or Linux.
I disagree with protecting data. You protect data by putting it on a different disk. The only reason should be to dual boot an OS or because you need a linux swap partition in addition to root.

There is absolutely no reason to partition a drive that's only running one installation of Windows, much like how there is no reason to have more than one partition on OS X other than to run Windows, Linux, or another version of OS X. It's not a good way to divvy up data because all you're doing is setting space constraints for yourself which can be done short of using multiple partitions.
 
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I disagree with protecting data. You protect data by putting it on a different disk. The only reason should be to dual boot an OS or because you need a linux swap partition in addition to root.

There is absolutely no reason to partition a drive that's only running one installation of Windows, much like how there is no reason to have more than one partition on OS X other than to run Windows, Linux, or another version of OS X. It's not a good way to divvy up data because all you're doing is setting space constraints for yourself which can be done short of using multiple partitions.

What if you only have one drive?
 

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Install OS on SSD, install all current drivers.... install only necessary games on the SSD to improve load times.

Partitions are just making things more complicated.
 

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Partitions are just making things more complicated.
...or to dual boot or because you want swap space on a Linux installation. Any reason I can think of is a not a reason why normal user would want to. So while I agree with the sentiment, it's not just to make things more complicated.
 
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Then your data isn't protected now is it? :)

Sure it is to a point. When drives go bad they don't always take the whole drive out. Not that the partition is any protection. And if its just a corrupt OS then reinstall is more convenient. Don't get me wrong its not ideal. I hate partitions. But is a completely separate drive safe? What about a fire?

I'm just thinking about the old days when I could only afford one drive. Now I have like 14 with multiple back ups
 

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I don't bother with partitions these days, personal preference I guess, but I've never found a use for them when I have an SSD and HDD.


Yeah some don't like partitions, i do as it can make life so much easier on a OS reinstall as most of the important stuff be on the second partition.

I know you have not asked about a backup software but Synctoys is very handy and free too, i don't trust new drives at all.
 
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I have a partition form Boinc, on my SSD. It helps because that is usually the only part of the drive that doesn't need to be defragged, as it adds new stuff and dumps old stuff, daily.

2cents! :laugh:
 
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Thanks for all the help guys. On another note, can I partition the whole drive or is it necessary to leave some space unpartitioned for tasks such as garbage collection?
 
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Overprovisioning 5 to 10% on a 256 SSD unallocated space for garbage cleanup will keep your drive fast
 
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