Question about SSD and HDD size

[RoryMcK]

I have been deciding whether I should get a 128gb SSD and a 2TB hard drive, or whether I should buy a 256gb SSD and a 1TB hard drive. The computer I build will be used mainly for gaming, but will also be partly used for streaming and homework. What do you think I should do?

[sam0]

Whats your total budget?

128GB is enough for OS and a few games, as long as you don't want a massive library stored. You could always swap games between the SSD and the 2TB.

[mrham4321]

I have 128GB SSD, and 1TB HDD. SSD holds OS, all essential programs. HDD holds all games (600GB steam library + 100GB origin).

I like having the SSD for quick boot of OS, Word, Excel etc. It'd be nice to have games on it but loading times on a fast HDD with a good system are perfectly tolerable.

[Saracen]

I have been deciding whether I should get a 128gb SSD and a 2TB hard drive, or whether I should buy a 256gb SSD and a 1TB hard drive. The computer I build will be used mainly for gaming, but will also be partly used for streaming and homework. What do you think I should do?

I think that what we think might not be very relevant.

From what you say, I assume that there's a hard constraint on budget. After all, the difference between 128GB and 512GB SSD could be, for example using a Crucial MX100, £25.

Or, between (again, as an example) Seagate Barracuda 1TB and 2TB versions, about £30.

A lot of us here would decide what we needed, and if it cost £30 more, so be it.

So, rather than deciding between those two options, I think you need to decide, first, exactly what it is you need, and then, what the budget permits. If, having decided on needs, you still have some budget left, you can decide what gives you the most benefit, extra SSD space or extra HD space.

One thing to bear in mind. If you need to increase HD storage space, it's pretty easy to add on later. You can bung (case permitting) a second HD in your PC, or if need be, an external USB hard drive. Or even, in a year or two, get a 2GB, or bigger, HD, copy everything from the 1GB to the new drive, and replace it entirely. But, if you've installed the OS on an SSD, it's a lot more mucking about to change that. It's by no means impossible, but it's more of a pain.

So, if I were you, I'd be thinking about a couple of things. First, how much HD space do I need? If you need more than 1GB, and need it now, you have your answer. Also, second, how strict is your budget? Is the 256GB SSD and 2GB HD viable? After all, it's less hassle than having to address shortcomings later with upgrades.

Next question .... what will the 256GB SSD do for you that the 128GB one won't? Certainly, in terms of boot time, it'll make no perceptible difference.

What MIGHT make a difference to boot time is WHICH SSD you pick. So .... consider whether you'll get more benefit from a smaller (128GB rather than 256GB) SSD and a 1TB HD? In other words, whether a smaller but faster SSD gives you more benefit than a larger but slower one.

Sorry if that asks more questions than it provides answers, but I'm asking from the perspective of that the best solution for me might well be different from the best option for you, because your needs are different.

[shaithis]

Unless you want to keep a ton of movie files around, or a large collection of ISO files, I'd expect you to get more mileage from the 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD. I always found the 128GB drives to be a bit too limiting, especially if you want to install a few hefty games.

But at the end of the day, only you can see or guess at how much space you will need and how that can be divided up between the devices.

[geezerone]

Have just gone for 256GB SSD and really wanted an price drop (from last year) before moving my C drive (OS) and leaves me a good amount of space free still. Want to leave about 20% free iirc on SSD drives. Like Saracen mentioned can you go for the best of both worlds and have 256 GB SSD & 2TB data drive? Would advise 256GB IMHO though. You could wait for prices to drop further but how urgently do you need this done?

[peterb]

If you are streaming stuff, storage will probably be a priority. If you keep your OS and essentially applications on the 128Gb SSD that should give you a faster boot time and snap pier loading of applications, but keep the data on the HDD,. Most text or spreadsheet documents will load into RAM, so apart from the initial load, HDD performance is unlikely to be a limiting factor.

The cost per byte of storage is still less for a hard drive.

But as Saracen says, you need t assess for yourself what your needs (not desires!) are.