(SSD) Partitioning - Tool to use?

[MnsoonMally]

Hello!

I'll be looking to partition a 4TB SSD, in the new year, for a new build.

A small portion for the OS (Win11), and the majority for Games that benefit especially from hi-speed access.

I'm looking for simple to use tool in order to do the partitioning, something free, after I've installed Win11 freshly from USB.

Any recommendations? Anything to avoid?

 

[Harlow]

In the past, I've set a partition size for Windows during the initial installation, instead of allowing Windows setup to use the whole drive. Doesn't cost a penny.

 

[MnsoonMally]

In the past, I've set a partition size for Windows during the initial installation, instead of allowing Windows setup to use the whole drive. Doesn't cost a penny.

Ah, ok. It's been a few years since I've installed Windows, so don't remember it asking a partition size. But then again, I never needed to partition it before.

Does it prompt you for an option on Win11 during install, or, do I specify it somewhere? Will save downloading a tool if I can do it within the install.

 

[DaemonForce]

You can auto-partition by clicking Next at the setup prompt or Shift+F10 for prompt and setup partitions under Diskpart.
I personally don't see any point in setting up anything as a system disk outside sizes like 16-240GB.
So if you also just want a data disk with one solid non-boot partition, manual parameters are also the best way to arrange that.
FWIW I don't setup Windows like a normal person and haven't seen the setup GUI in years but it should still provide the same help.

 

[MnsoonMally]

Wow - now this is the Forum I'm looking for. Absolute answers, concise, and on-topic.

A credit to those replying - it leads to further consultation, to find the ultimate solution.......the whole point of a Forum, surely!?

My thinking, DaemonForce, is:

Given a 4TB PCIe5.0 SSD (I require the speed, no ifs/buts, it's for flight-simming mainly, where stuttering destroys the experience).

Win11Pro = 64GB (Maximum, I understand). I'll double, as a matter of course, to 128GB
Other Stuff (I might want a few applications to run native to C, another 128GB.

So, I'm thinking C: 256GB and D: 3.5GB+ for hi-speed Gaming.

Flight-Sim2020 packed out, takes around 0.5GB. So I'll double that capacity too, to 1TB.

So: 0.25TB for OS and key Apps; 0.5 to 1TB for FS, leaving LOTS of space for other Games that are access speed dependant.

 

[Hankieroseman]

Wow - now this is the Forum I'm looking for. Absolute answers, concise, and on-topic.

A credit to those replying - it leads to further consultation, to find the ultimate solution.......the whole point of a Forum, surely!?

My thinking, DaemonForce, is:

Given a 4TB PCIe5.0 SSD (I require the speed, no ifs/buts, it's for flight-simming mainly, where stuttering destroys the experience).

Win11Pro = 64GB (Maximum, I understand). I'll double, as a matter of course, to 128GB
Other Stuff (I might want a few applications to run native to C, another 128GB.

So, I'm thinking C: 256GB and D: 3.5GB+ for hi-speed Gaming.

Flight-Sim2020 packed out, takes around 0.5GB. So I'll double that capacity too, to 1TB.

So: 0.25TB for OS and key Apps; 0.5 to 1TB for FS, leaving LOTS of space for other Games that are access speed dependant.

Flight simmer here. Many GB's of data are loaded onto your computer if you do MSFS2020/2024 and DCS. You don't want your game/s to get crowded, I use a sata backup HD drive to eliminate bifurcation to make for the fastest PC. Also extracurricular software installation is mostly not allowed on the sim.

 

[AMF]

Hello!

I'll be looking to partition a 4TB SSD, in the new year, for a new build.

A small portion for the OS (Win11), and the majority for Games that benefit especially from hi-speed access.

I'm looking for simple to use tool in order to do the partitioning, something free, after I've installed Win11 freshly from USB.

Any recommendations? Anything to avoid?

i would not partition a ssd.....it screws up the speed and can poentially lead to device failure

 

[DaemonForce]

I relate Flight Sim stuff to my VR kit +streaming +recording so I'm guessing you receive lots of network data each run.
As in lots of fast reads and frequent updates which means R/W activity is more or less appropriate on something like a Warpdrive as it might be prone to wear.
A 4TB volume is nothing to sneeze at. It's 1/4 my largest HDD, 4/5 my next HDD and 10x my largest SSD.
How big is Flight Sim? 100GB? 200GB? Definitely keep it on the SSD and local if you can, otherwise iSCSI is in your future and that might be a bit much.

 

[Macro Device]

While normal Windows installation, you will encounter this or very similar menu.

You just click "new" and manually input the size you need. The first partition is for the OS, it's important.
Upon creation of all partitions, you want to format them. Choose quick format, no point in wasting time doing standard formatting on a fresh drive.
Then, when you have all partitions formatted, you choose the first one and click "next."

NB: remove ALL other SSDs and HDDs from your system before the installation to avoid any unwanted consequences such as the boot loader on a wrong drive. Plug them back when you have Windows installed.

 

[Ivan Bliminse]

I used this program for my drives, fairly easy to use..
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 12.8

 

[MnsoonMally]

I relate Flight Sim stuff to my VR kit +streaming +recording so I'm guessing you receive lots of network data each run.
As in lots of fast reads and frequent updates which means R/W activity is more or less appropriate on something like a Warpdrive as it might be prone to wear.
A 4TB volume is nothing to sneeze at. It's 1/4 my largest HDD, 4/5 my next HDD and 10x my largest SSD.
How big is Flight Sim? 100GB? 200GB? Definitely keep it on the SSD and local if you can, otherwise iSCSI is in your future and that might be a bit much.

MSFS2020, with addons, is around 500GB.

While normal Windows installation, you will encounter this or very similar menu.
View attachment 371915
You just click "new" and manually input the size you need. The first partition is for the OS, it's important.
Upon creation of all partitions, you want to format them. Choose quick format, no point in wasting time doing standard formatting on a fresh drive.
Then, when you have all partitions formatted, you choose the first one and click "next."

NB: remove ALL other SSDs and HDDs from your system before the installation to avoid any unwanted consequences such as the boot loader on a wrong drive. Plug them back when you have Windows installed.

Magic! Thank-you very much - I'll watch for this. I'll allocate 256GB for the OS and other items I might want to run from C: