New SSD - moar space!

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E3xtc

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#215559 3-Jul-2017 09:03

Hey ya,

I am running low on space due to wife saving photos of all the things, and my steam library growing...so was wondering if anyone had seen any blindingly good deals for a 300+GB SSD drive(s)...

fwiw - atm I have 2 x 250GB ones mirrored, and am thinking about striping the next 2 (in order to maximise the space)...and just hoping I don't need to "test" my backup strategy :D

Any thoughts/links/etc much appreciated.

Cheers

timmmay

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#1810686 3-Jul-2017 09:08

You don't need to store everything on SSDs. Move things like photos and media out to hard drives, reserve SSD for things that need very low access times.

I wouldn't stripe unless you have superb backups - constant cloud backups and backups on hard drives that are both incremental and stored offsite. When SSDs fail they often do it suddenly. Your comment suggests your backup system could use some attention.

Coil

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#1810691 3-Jul-2017 09:12

timmmay:

You don't need to store everything on SSDs. Move things like photos and media out to hard drives, reserve SSD for things that need very low access times.

I wouldn't stripe unless you have superb backups - constant cloud backups and backups on hard drives that are both incremental and stored offsite. When SSDs fail they often do it suddenly. Your comment suggests your backup system could use some attention.

A single SSD will be sufficient for you, No reason to raid 0 or raid 1 config them, just as as they are.
Use a HDD for storage of media unless you can justofy financially storing everything on ssd.
I run with a 256GB SSD and always have done. Fits many games and programs with space left over.

Google how to optimize your PC for a SSD, like changing the default destinations etc.

E3xtc

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#1810720 3-Jul-2017 09:15

Thanks...I already have everything on SSD's (except an internal disk for constant local file backups), so dont want to put another spinning disk into the box, just to have a place for photo's...would rather keep it simple....

The backup strategy currently in place is fine - constant local backups to separate disk with periodic external backups to drives located in fire/waterproof safe) - I am just lazy and hate the thought of actually restoring from a failure :P

timmmay

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#1810721 3-Jul-2017 09:17

"Fireproof" is a relative term. If you data is not incremental and offsite I consider it a copy, not a backup. I really think you need to reconsider that - even just using CrashPlan would be a huge improvement for you, as it's both offsite and keeps many versions of files.

E3xtc

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#1810724 3-Jul-2017 09:21

My backup is incremental on the internal spinning disk in the box. The one in the safe is a full backup (or a copy as you say). Anyhow, its not the backup that is the point of my OP, it's the (non backup) drives.

davidcole

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#1810730 3-Jul-2017 09:39

I bought a 500gb Samsung Evo 850 (SATA connected) was ok for price. You havent said if you want SATA or M.2 connection.

Like the others, I'd be more tempted to run a 250 - 500gb SSD and a larger spinning rust disk for at rest storage.

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jonb

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#1810738 3-Jul-2017 09:58

Check PB Tech online this evening (3rd July) after 6pm for some good sale deals.

E3xtc

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#1810778 3-Jul-2017 11:09

Ah yes - SATA...and will keep an eye on PB tonight. Considering changing the exist array to being striped (rather than mirrored) to leverage both the existing drives (to maximise the space) and throwing that spinning disk (you all keep talking about) in place for the photos....not sure on physical space though...in which case I might grab a single larger ssd and remove the array....

timmmay

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#1810780 3-Jul-2017 11:11

E3xtc:

My backup is incremental on the internal spinning disk in the box. The one in the safe is a full backup (or a copy as you say). Anyhow, its not the backup that is the point of my OP, it's the (non backup) drives.

Sure, but backups are important and I suspect tweaking your approach would give you better results.

A full backup is good, but say if you get a virus or ransomware that encrypts some files before you notice you can overwrite your full backup. That's why incremental backups are so important.