NVMe+SSD+HDD, need help with setup

[Darius981]

Hi. I recently had the chance to get a new NVMe drive (Samsung PM961 256GB) and an SSD (Crucial MX500 1TB) to add to my existing WD Blue 1TB (mechanical HDD). Before you ask why I picked a 256GB NVMe+1TB SDD, I tell you that for me it was cheaper than a single 1TB NVMe. Anyway, my idea is to use the NVMe for Windows, the SSD for software/games and the HDD for documents and other files. Since I've never used a config like this, I don't know where to start. Actually, on the WD there are multiple partitions created by this script: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-8.1-and-8/hh825686(v%3dwin.10) and I don't know if I should use it to create partitions on the NVMe in the same way or not. For sure I know I have to use GPT instead of MBR. Right? So, question: how many partitions should I create on the NVMe? And on a side note, how should I create partitions on the other disks? GPT or MBR?

Now, with disks partitioned and Windows installed, few more questions are coming. First: should I move the "Program Files" folder to the SSD (if possible) or just tell each program/game I install to go there instead of the NVMe? I know the 2nd is easier but I'd prefer the first to avoid anything getting onto the NVMe as I want to keep it the cleanest possible. Sorted this out, the next question: is there a way to move the entire Users folder to the HDD? I know for sure I could move the Documents folder there, but I'd prefer to move the entire Users folder there (including folders like AppData) cause I fear keeping it on the NVMe could increase read/write accesses to it.

Sorted all these things out, is there anything else I should consider/take care off? In the meanwhile, I'll wait for more experienced people to help me with my questions/doubt. Thanks in advance for the replies.

[IAmAndre]

Personally I wouldn't do any of this: I would either do a clean Windows 10 install, which isn't fun but would solve you quite a few hustles, or just clone my existing drives.

[Darius981]

I am going to do a clean install obv. I feel like you completely missed the point of my post.

[Bearmann]

I'm no expert, but I think that you are making things overly complicated. Why do you need to partition anything? First put in the 250 Gb NVMe drive. Do not install the other drives until Windows is installed and working on this drive. (If you are adding the drives to an old computer, then disconnect all the drives by removing their SATA data and/or power cables.) After a clean install of Windows 10, do a clean install of each program to the C-drive. Before removing your old drives, you can save customization settings to a thumb drive for your programs such a browsers (with saved links), Photoshop, etc. Then install your other new drives. Each should be formatted with GPT. I'm not sure if you can move the users folder to another drive en mass. I would choose each folder (documents, videos, photos,downloads, music, etc.), click on its location tab under properties, and move it to the drive of your choice. To transfer data to the new folders, use an external dock or temporarily hook up the old drive to the new computer, and copy and paste everything to its proper folder.

[Darius981]

1 minute ago, Bearmann said:

...After a clean install of Windows 10, do a clean install of each program to the C-drive...

They won't all fit in the 256GB NVMe, that's why I bought the SSD. As I already said, 256GB NMVe+1TB SSD was a way cheaper solution than a 1TB NVMe, at least for the prices we got here.

[Bearmann]

2 minutes ago, Darius981 said:

They won't all fit in the 256GB NVMe, that's why I bought the SSD. As I already said, 256GB NMVe+1TB SSD was a way cheaper solution than a 1TB NVMe, at least for the prices we got here.

I would think that all your programs will fit on it. Install your games on the MX500.

[Darius981]

17 minutes ago, Bearmann said:

I would think that all your programs will fit on it. Install your games on the MX500.

Oh ok. I just hope they'll fit all there, since I use After Effects, Photoshop, Premiere and Vegas and they're all a couple of GB each, probably even more in some cases. I think I know the answer already, but just to be sure: should I install there on the NVMe things like AMD Radeon software aswell?

[Bearmann]

It will probably default to the C-drive when you try to install it, but I would put it there.

[Darius981]

Regarding games, should I put directly launchers like Steam and uPlay on the SSD?

 

Getting back to partitioning: you mean I should created GPT partitioning on all 3 disks, right? Then what do I do? I mean, I create just 1 partition for each drive or for the NVMe I should keep using that script in the 1st post (changed the link, just figured out I posted one pointing to something else) that creates other partitions like a recovery tools and a recovery image partition? Should I get rid of that?

[Bearmann]

1 hour ago, Darius981 said:

Regarding games, should I put directly launchers like Steam and uPlay on the SSD?

 

Getting back to partitioning: you mean I should created GPT partitioning on all 3 disks, right? Then what do I do? I mean, I create just 1 partition for each drive or for the NVMe I should keep using that script in the 1st post (changed the link, just figured out I posted one pointing to something else) that creates other partitions like a recovery tools and a recovery image partition? Should I get rid of that?

You don't need that link. Partitioning is dividing the drive into different sectors,  making multiple virtual drives from one drive. You don't need to partition the drive. GPT is a method to format the drive so that it can be used, that is, setting up a file system on the drive. It is not partitioning, it is formatting.

 

I am not a gamer, but I imagine that those launchers are programs which will default to the C-drive to be installed. Anything that defaults to the C-drive, I would place there.

[Bearmann]

A disk is like an empty room. To be able to find the information I store there, I am going to place 26 labeled file cabinets in there, one for each letter of the alphabet. Now the "room" has been formatted and is ready to accept data. Partitioning would be to add interior walls and subdivide that room into multiple rooms, perhaps a C room, a D room and an E room.

 

I like to use Ninite to install common free programs:

 

https://ninite.com/

 

It is safe to use.