Getting an SSD for the first time. Need advice.

Show not Tell

I just won an ebay for a computer with an SSD 240GB and a 700GB HDD. I understand that I can use the SSD to run the OS and use the HDD as a storage device. But I am not really clear on how this works. Except for the SDD, I have an identical prebuilt to this computer with a 1TB HDD, 32GB RAM with a 6-core processor. So, jsut want some advice and opinions on how to implement the SSD and the HDD together for rendering and game playing. I have heard the SSD makes the OS super fast - but the limited storage is the downside. Thanks for any help. Hope to receive this from the seller in about a week.

mclaugh

SSD is the C: drive; HDD is the E: drive. Apps gon on the C: drive, data files and DAZ resources go on the D: drive. Done.

kenshaw011267

240Gb is enough for Windows and some apps. So install Windows and your most used programs used on it.

Put everything else on the HDD. 

LeatherGryphon

All the above is true, but also, be aware, that you should leave significant space available on an SSD that gets written-to frequently.  SSD memory cells do wear out after multiple (many many many multiple) writes to them.  The SSD smarts automatically "retire" bad cells and also attempts to even out the writing stress on available cells to maximize useful life of the drive.  However, if an SSD is very nearly full, then continual rewriting of temp files and zip/unzip caches, and video buffers is forced to use a limited number of cells, accelerating their demise.  A "C:\" drive has a lot of cache, temp and buffer areas.  I try to keep my SSD "C:\" drive usage below 50%, and by reassigning some heavily used cache, temp and buffer areas to a hard drive if speed is not terribly important to me.

On the otherhand, an SSD cell is not degraded at all by multiple reads from them, making an SSD a wonderfully fast device for storing frequently accessed static databases and archives.

In an ideal system one would have a system with two SSDs and one or more HDDs.  One SSD for the "C:\" drive (<50% full) but with cache, temp and buffer areas reassigned to an HDD, but also have an SSD for storing large static read-mostly databases & archives that require frequent fast access.  The HDD being used for slower access, frequently changing storage and less expensive quantity storage.

Of course if you want the speed offered by an SSD, during use of cache, temp, and buffer operations, then go ahead, and use an SSD.  If you have a decent sized SSD that is not too full you will probably replace your computer before the SSD degrades too much, unless you're a professional video editor.