SSD Boot Drive - Does it really make a difference?

[Mr_Assault]

Hey guys first time posting here and just have a newb question.  Is it worth getting a SSD for $100 or less as a boot device in a new build?  I understand the difference in both SSD and a typical drive and know SSD will be the dominant drive.  I just want some opinions.

 

Also how do you all use your hybrid environment (if any)?  Do you all save the common used games and programs on the SSD and other data on your standard drive?

 

This is something I've been keen on yet don't see a benefit at all. 

[Trik'Stari]

Dear god yes it does. Right now I have 2 games and my OS and a few programs (MS office, etc) on my 120g SSD. If I had the money I would buy more SSD's right now. HDD is just so slow by comparisson. I have a 1tb HDD as well, I don't even have it installed right now.

[rmac52]

Yes.

I have never used a hybrid drive.  But I consider a SSD to be a requirement for a computer.  Once you get used to a SSD you can never go back.

My computer boots in about 15 seconds.

[Frankie]

Depends on a budget really I would not put it in a 500-600 dollar build but high end, yes.

 

It get pricy, but SSD should last way longer than mechanical HDD because there are not moving parts + the booting time is bonus

 

Aa far as the hybrid enviroment goes, depends on the size of a SSD and your opinion. Heavily modded Skyrim will load way quicker, game like Battlefield or Call of Duty not so much diffrence, games like that should be on classic HDD imo. 

[Legion]

Short Answer: Yes.

 

Long Answer: An SSD will improve boot times of your operating system and of various programs you may choose to store on it. They are a wonderful addition to any system and when compared to a traditional drive the difference is as clear as night and day.

 

As it stands in my current main rig I have 2 SSD's one for windows and various programs the other for various loading intensive games like battlefield,sc2,skyrim and league ect.

 

Back when I played Battlefield 3 an SSD was the difference between getting in a game earlier than everyone else and getting the vehicle you wanted.

Honestly after using one I'll never go back.

 

Main storage is where I dump any bluray rips awaiting transfer to my htpc ect.
 Secondary is a copy of all the games I've downloaded but don't need on an SSD.

[Trik'Stari]

Yes.

I have never used a hybrid drive.  But I consider a SSD to be a requirement for a computer.  Once you get used to a SSD you can never go back.

My computer boots in about 15 seconds.

Not to mention every program on it becoming that much snappier.

 

It's honestly a huge difference if you have a CPU that should be fast as hell.

[Tsuki]

short answer: yes
long answer: yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[That Norwegian Guy]

No question about it, it's the best upgrade you can make.

 

Compared to upgrading a CPU from 3 years ago, upgrading to SSD system drive from mechanical is a hell of a lot better.

[Silent_R493]

SSD for windows boot drive and key applications used often.   I may put a game or 2 that i'm currently playing often on the SSD.  for better loading speeds.

 

HDD for bulk storage like games,music,movies, or apps less often used.

 

 

It won't make a huge deal for games but everything in windows will become more responsive to inputs and load times for applications will improve vastly.  especially if you consider your current windows experience slow.

 

My Combo:

Samsung 840 PRO 256 GB

WD Black 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA III 6.0 GB/s

[aidenrelkoff]

yeah, but my boot time is about 19 seconds anyways, so if i was to get a SSD it would be for the file transfer speeds, not the start up speeds, although that would also decrease 

[PassionFruit]

yeah, but my boot time is about 19 seconds anyways, so if i was to get a SSD it would be for the file transfer speeds, not the start up speeds, although that would also decrease 

It does make Windows and programs snappier, there also won't be as much hiccups.

[Real_PhillBert]

I saw a remarkable speed improvement when I went to a SSD boot drive. Not just in boot times but also in program launches, as well as large saves, and opening large files.

[bob345]

YES an ssd has to be the single most beneficial upgrade you can make to a pc. If make it feel magnitudes faster than when using a normal mechanical drive

[ManWithBeard1990]

My computer currently has a pair of hybrid drives in RAID0 and I've just ordered an SSD to install my OS on. If you want I'll keep you posted on how much of a difference it makes. I've never once found my pc to be all that slow but it'd be nice if the SSD would make everything more immediate, you know. Doubt the SSHD's are what's holding it back, but I really wanted to find out.

[Pickle]

YES! Using a computer without an SSD feels annoying after I switched to SSD.

[Blecter]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

 

Once you go SSD you never go back.

[Mr_Assault]

My computer currently has a pair of hybrid drives in RAID0 and I've just ordered an SSD to install my OS on. If you want I'll keep you posted on how much of a difference it makes. I've never once found my pc to be all that slow but it'd be nice if the SSD would make everything more immediate, you know. Doubt the SSHD's are what's holding it back, but I really wanted to find out.

 

I'd appreciate that if you don't mind.  I got just built a rig for around $700 and at the moment and probably will look into upgrading this holiday season.  I just hate moving data and re-installing the OS -.-

[Mr_Assault]

Thanks for the response guys and how some of you all got your rigs setup.  I'll look into the upgrade when a deal comes up.  One thing I read online by some newegg reviews and reddit post were to avoid the kingston SSDs  particularly this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721107.  Any brands to recommend?  

[The_Evenger]

yes.

i have a 256gb boot drive and key applications/games and a 2T hdd for games i get on steam sales

the difference is real.

[Dicehunter]

It's like asking what the difference is between having sex with a beautiful woman you're crazy about *SSD* and staring at a wall while stroking a potato and whistling the mary poppins theme song *HDD* 

[ManWithBeard1990]

Thanks for the response guys and how some of you all got your rigs setup.  I'll look into the upgrade when a deal comes up.  One thing I read online by some newegg reviews and reddit post were to avoid the kingston SSDs  particularly this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721107.  Any brands to recommend?  

I just ordered a Sandisk. Because it was cheap. I don't think it matters much. I don't think Kingston is that bad tbh either, but I have no experience with their SSDs.

[ManWithBeard1990]

Ssd arrived today. Apparently the casing is made of plastic, not metal. Feels surprisingly flimsy. I'd like to install it asap, but I think I'll wait for Kubuntu 14.10 to be ready.

[Skiiwee29]

SSD is amazing, I have an early Sata 3 SSD and it boots my computer from power press to login in 20s. With a HDD it would take 35-40s most likely. 

[adhisakti]

I put OS, applications, games, VM on my SSD, some working project on HDD, and the others (documents, music, movies) on my NAS

[SkilledRebuilds]

I have two 256GB Samsung 840 Pro's.

 

One for C:\Windows, Apps, Documents and a couple of Singleplayer title games on there. (With 256GB to start, plenty left over)

Another 256GB for D:\Games itself (Origin/Steam Games)

Epic Performance.

Had them in Raid 0 at one stage also, just as epic, although I never maximized them with any usage models I use so I de-raided them.