I'm adding a 2TB Samsung PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD to a system that currently has Windows installed on a 1TB SATA SSD. I mainly play heavily modded Skyrim and Dota 2, and I'm trying to decide how best to use the new drive. Should I clone Windows and my applications to the faster NVMe drive, or leave Windows on the older SSD and install my games on the new one? Would moving Windows noticeably improve boot times or gameplay and loading screens? Would it be better to put everything on the 2TB drive and use the existing SSD for media and less demanding files? If cloning is the best option, I'd also like recommendations for reliable free or open-source cloning software.
4 Answers
The practical priority is simple: put anything with long loading times—your Skyrim installation, mod files, and other frequently played games—on the NVMe drive. Moving Windows there is worthwhile if you want one clean, fast primary drive, but it isn’t required for good gaming performance. The older SATA SSD can serve as secondary storage or a local backup once the migration is complete.
I’d put Windows, applications, and games on the new 2TB drive, then use the older SSD for media, backups, or less frequently used programs. The system should feel a bit snappier, although the improvement won’t be as huge as moving from a hard disk to an SSD. If you clone the drive, keep the original untouched until you’ve confirmed the new installation boots correctly.
For an open-source option, Clonezilla is a solid choice, but it’s less beginner-friendly than manufacturer software. You can install the NVMe, clone the old system drive, expand the Windows partition afterward if necessary, and only format the old SSD once you’ve verified that the clone works. Personally, I’d choose a fresh Windows install if you don’t mind reinstalling your programs, since it avoids carrying over old issues.
The biggest improvement will come from installing your games and especially large Skyrim modlists on the new NVMe drive. Leaving Windows on the SATA SSD is perfectly workable, and the difference in everyday boot time probably won’t be dramatic. If you want the cleanest setup, though, a fresh Windows installation on the NVMe drive is preferable to cloning.
Samsung’s own migration utility is usually the easiest choice for a Samsung target drive. Samsung Magician or Samsung Data Migration may be included depending on the model and current software support.