I'm building a new computer and moving my 7-year-old 860 Evo SSD into the build, while replacing my main storage HDD with a new NVMe drive. I'm considering installing Windows on the SATA SSD to keep it separate from my main storage, but I know it is getting older. On the other hand, I wonder if putting Windows on the NVMe would offer noticeable speed improvements. Would using the NVMe drive make Windows feel snappier, or is that difference negligible? I could partition the NVMe for better organization, but I prefer to keep the OS physically separate. What's the best option?
7 Answers
For me, I would install Windows on the NVMe and keep the 500GB SSD for extra storage. It just makes sense to put your OS on the fastest drive you have, especially when it comes to boot times and launching applications.
You should definitely always prioritize speed for your OS. Put it on the NVMe if you can. Even if the speed difference feels small during regular use, having the OS on the faster drive can help with overall responsiveness, especially when multitasking.
I'd say go for the 1TB NVMe drive for your Windows installation. You'll get better performance out of it, and since it's new, you'll make the most of your hardware. Plus, it’s nice to have an SSD for Windows—everything just tends to run smoother!
Honestly, most users won’t notice a huge difference between SATA and NVMe for daily tasks once you're using SSDs. Windows doesn’t usually get bottlenecked by disk speeds unless you're doing heavy file transfers, so it might not be a big deal. I personally like having a smaller SSD for the OS and a larger drive for storage, that way I can keep things organized. Just unplug the data drive when you need to reinstall Windows to avoid accidents!
In real-world use, the difference between SATA and NVMe usually isn't dramatic for most tasks. My preference is to use the 500GB SSD for the OS and keep the 1TB for games. This way, you have plenty of space for game installs without cluttering the OS drive.
You've got it right to install Windows on an SSD. They may be pricey these days, but they boost speed and responsiveness immensely. Even a smaller SSD will handle Windows loads just fine!
Just install Windows on the NVMe. These days, there's really no need to keep the OS on a separate drive from your data like in the past. Speed is king, and you want to take advantage of the fast NVMe for your main OS.
Totally get that! Having a big drive for data makes it easier to manage, and reinstalling Windows is less stressful when your data's safe on another drive.