I have two M.2 SSDs: a 1TB drive for Windows and apps, and a 4TB drive for everything else including games, both of which are WD SN850x models. I'm wondering if it really matters if I put the Windows SSD in the fastest M.2 slot, or if I should prioritize the larger drive instead. What would you do?
5 Answers
I'd definitely recommend using your largest SSD for your OS and major programs. Larger drives tend to offer better longevity, so put your 1TB SSD to work as a game and media drive instead!
Keep in mind, since the SN850x is a Gen 4 SSD, putting it in a Gen 5 slot won’t give you any added benefits. In fact, the drive will just operate at Gen 4 speeds anyway. So you can set them up however you want; it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day!
In terms of real-world performance, you probably won't notice a big difference regardless of which slot you choose. The system feels snappy based more on random read/write speeds of the SSD rather than the PCIe bandwidth. For benchmarks, sure, the numbers might look better in the Gen 5 slot, but for everyday use, it's not hugely impactful.
Absolutely! Just ensure your slot can match the SSD speeds. While the Gen 5 slot connected directly to the CPU might be perceived as better, the difference is minimal unless you're doing something that really pushes those limits.
Totally, I'd place the 1TB SSD in the Gen 5 slot for Windows. It just makes sense to utilize that faster slot for your main operating system.
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