Need more storage

ConStyle · June 14, 2018

Currently I am using a Samsung 850 EVO 500GB as my main storage drive.

However I need a bit more storage...

So I was thinking should I just buy another one, but I was not sure if this would make it slower or more complicated to use... Could I still just store my data like I used to or would I have to get it from different drive (similar to what it would be if I plug in a USB).

My other question was should I maybe get a M.2 drive and copy my files to the M.2 (by cloning it) and use it as my main drive and the SATA SSD as my secondary?

What would you consider a good option to get? It should be below 200$.

Additional Info: I dont transfer large amounts of data and I do not need insaaaanely fast speeds.

Thanks for your help

PS: From time to time a do get a notification that my storage in drive D: is full (My storage device D: has 449MB and belongs to my 850EVO, so I thought it might be the cache of my SSD)

How should I get more storage without harming any data and would the issue be solved if I get a second SSD?)

bradleyk44 · June 14, 2018

For boot drives you can't just copy and paste the files over to another drive. you have to use a cloner to move windows over.

In terms of drives i'd look at the new 970 series.

what i did when i got a new drive was i did a fresh windows install and just moved stuff i needed over slowly.

redsquirrel0249 · June 14, 2018

32 minutes ago, ConStyle said:

be below 200$

Depends how much you want for that. You can get a 500 GB NVME for like $215, a 1 TB SSD around $200 (if you get cheap), or an 8 TB HDD.

36 minutes ago, ConStyle said:

not sure if this would make it slower or more complicated to use

I use a 500 GB SSD with two hard drives: a 3 TB for mass storage and non-essential program installs, and an old 320 GB as redundancy for my personal data. It just shows up as multiple local drives on your computer under the My PC or My Computer tab. So if one more menu to click on to select where to install something intimidates you, then yes, you could call it complicated.

38 minutes ago, ConStyle said:

cache of my SSD

If you're worried about not having cache and this slowing your system down, then more storage would fix this outright if you change your cache location to the new drive or move stuff to the new drive (even a relatively small amount, like 20-50 GB).

39 minutes ago, ConStyle said:

get a M.2 drive and copy my files to the M.2

This works if that's what you want. I personally would opt for more storage with a HDD, but you may not have that option in your case. I try to avoid buying a drive with identical storage to one I already have, because if I've ended up with two drives of equal size, then that's a big slap in the face that I should've just bought one with double the capacity. So be sure to plan what you intend to do with your machine before making a final decision. Value is what you want to look for. I only paid $60 for my 3 TB drive, so I get the benefit of SSD speed while never worrying about capacity ever.