I'm building my first PC and I have some components on the way. I'm especially concerned about where I'll install Windows 11. I have a 500GB SATA SSD that I've just formatted and a 1TB m.2 drive planned for games and files. When I install Windows 11 using a USB drive, can I pick the SATA SSD for the OS, or will it automatically select the faster m.2 drive?
3 Answers
For casual gaming and everyday use, the difference might not even matter much. If budget's tight, your setup is just fine with the SATA SSD. But if you can invest in fast storage later, consider getting a high-end m.2 SSD for everything. You'd just want to partition it wisely for Windows and your games.
A tip: disconnect any drives you're not using for the Windows installation. This stops any chance of wiping the wrong drive and ensures Windows sets the boot sector on the right one. It makes your setup neater too!
Yes, you can definitely choose where to install Windows 11! Just make sure to select the drive you want during the installation process. But I'm curious, why opt for the SATA drive? It's slower than m.2 drives.
I just want to save some cash by reusing my old SSD for the OS since my build is mostly aimed at gaming. I'll keep the faster m.2 for games. What do you think?
Honestly, for most users, the difference in boot times isn't that noticeable. I installed Windows on a SATA SSD and my partner used an m.2 drive—both boot in about 20 seconds. It's more about your use case than speed, right?