Ordered a new laptop, which HDD setup to go with..?

[jeffs42885]

Hi Folks, new member after literal years of joining.

 

I just ordered a new laptop. Basically overkill for whatever I will be doing. Diablo 2 Resurrected @ 1440P.

 

It's an Asus ROG G15 with the Ryzen 5900X + 6800M + 16GB (I have 32GB of Ballistix 3200 I'm tossing in,,)

 

It comes with a 500GB NVME, but it has an open slot. Wondering if anyone has experience with this model. I'd like to upgrade the SSD(s). I have a samsung 970 evo I am using in my current Lenovo Thinkpad T490, I was thinking of using as the boot drive, and I was thinking of grabbing a 1tb nvme for storage to fill the other slot.

 

I'm trying to maximize speed, and also of course, not overpay for what I want. Basically, this laptop will be for diablo2, web, excel, some IT sandbox stuff, etc. I will also connect to the "storage" drive from my phone to view old iphone pics, facebook backups, etc. So, I am thinking of two situations, but I am not sure if these approaches are worth it- or if they are overkill. I am assuming they are overkill.

 

1) Buy a 500GB Gen4 ($90) + 1TB Gen4 ($160)..Use the 500 as the boot, and the 1tb as the backup. 

2) Use the samsung 970 as the boot (already have..) + Buy the 1TB Gen4 ($160)..Use the 500 as the boot, and the 1tb as the backup

3) Buy a 500GB Gen4 ($90), Boot, and use the existing 500TB, just as some type of scratch storage.. + Get a plex storage device and throw in an existing 4TB 7200RPM Barracuda for storage on my lan

 

What are some other suggestions you folks suggest. Thanks!

[Dedayog]

You're not going to get some massive speed increase going Gen 4.  I'd just get a 1 or 2TB drive for storage and boot off the already included 500GB NVMe.  You won't notice anything, hell I even use SATA still because gaming is just not benefiting.

 

I'd go Plex as well, cuz why not?

[jeffs42885]

17 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

You're not going to get some massive speed increase going Gen 4.  I'd just get a 1 or 2TB drive for storage and boot off the already included 500GB NVMe.  You won't notice anything, hell I even use SATA still because gaming is just not benefiting.

 

I'd go Plex as well, cuz why not?

I've never used plex tbh. 

 

Is it as simple as "mapping" a network drive. And I can also access it from my phone?

[TheGlenlivet]

Wont the lappy come with a boot drive and windows already installed?

[Dedayog]

2 minutes ago, jeffs42885 said:

I've never used plex tbh. 

 

Is it as simple as "mapping" a network drive. And I can also access it from my phone?

You'll install Plex Server on your desktop or PC you're using as a server.  It'll set up a Library like Steam does.  Then put in your media, in set formats that they tell you about so they can read it properly. Basically folders like:

 

E:\TV Shows

        Forged In Fire

            Season 1

            Season 2

            Season 3

 

etc.

 

Then put the Plex App on your phone. Log in with the credentials you used for setting up the server.  Watch and listen to your stuff.

The Plex site walks your thru it.

[jeffs42885]

14 minutes ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Wont the lappy come with a boot drive and windows already installed?

Yeah I guess, but I am wondering if my 970 pro is faster?

[TheGlenlivet]

9 minutes ago, jeffs42885 said:

Yeah I guess, but I am wondering if my 970 pro is faster?

"faster" sure.

"noticeably faster" no.

Unless you are moving GIANT files between drives on the same machine, there isn't a benefit to upgrading here.  

I would just use the stock drive for boot, and add the NVME M.2 of your choice (samsung is good) for storage of files and games.

[jeffs42885]

6 minutes ago, TheGlenlivet said:

"faster" sure.

"noticeably faster" no.

Unless you are moving GIANT files between drives on the same machine, there isn't a benefit to upgrading here.  

I would just use the stock drive for boot, and add the NVME M.2 of your choice (samsung is good) for storage of files and games.

Cool.

 

So maybe- Boot off the factory drive.

 

Add a storage drive, 1tb. I see a few at best buy, only because I have to go there tomorrow anyways. 

 

WD Black, 1TB - $129.99

Samsung 970 Evo Plus, 1TB - $144.99

Crucial P5. 1TB - $119.99

 

then it goes up to Gen 4

 

WD Black, 1TB Gen 4, $179.99

Samsung 980 Pro 1TB Gen 4, $181.99

[Dedayog]

7 minutes ago, jeffs42885 said:

Cool.

 

So maybe- Boot off the factory drive.

 

Add a storage drive, 1tb. I see a few at best buy, only because I have to go there tomorrow anyways. 

 

WD Black, 1TB - $129.99

Samsung 970 Evo Plus, 1TB - $144.99

Crucial P5. 1TB - $119.99

 

then it goes up to Gen 4

 

WD Black, 1TB Gen 4, $179.99

Samsung 980 Pro 1TB Gen 4, $181.99

That WD Black 1TB for $129.99 is what I would go with if you have to buy from Best Buy.

 

 

[Dirtnapper]

Get a 1TB of your choice, prices are fairly close to the same, it will come down to what is in stock.  I went with a WD black since it was in stock at the local store and on sale at the time, 45 min later its my 2nd drive in my laptop