Moving applications to external SSD....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations of moving applications to an external SSD versus keeping them on a PC's internal hard disk. Participants explore the implications of speed, wear-leveling, and practical usage of external drives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that SSDs have limited read/write statistics and warns against completely filling an SSD, as it may degrade performance due to wear-leveling constraints.
  • Another participant emphasizes the speed advantage of SSDs over hard disks but notes that the speed of the external SSD may depend on the USB port's capabilities.
  • There is a concern raised about the practicality of using applications on an external SSD if it is not always connected, suggesting that an internal SSD might have been a better choice.
  • Some participants propose separating data and applications as a strategy for efficiency, indicating that this approach is generally viewed favorably.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to using external SSDs for applications versus data, with no consensus reached on a definitive solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors such as SSD wear-leveling, USB speed limitations, and practical usage challenges, which may affect the decision-making process but remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Users considering the use of external SSDs for applications and data management, particularly those interested in performance and efficiency in storage solutions.

fog37
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TL;DR
Moving applications or data to external SSD
Hello everyone,

My pc is getting too full so I got an external SSD (1Tb). Would you suggest moving all the applications on the external SSD or keep them on the pc's hard disk? If so why? Or should I only move all the "data" to the external SSD? What is your recommendation?

Thank you!
 
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Interesting question. SSDs have more limited RW statistics. I've read where it's a bad idea to completely fill up an SSD because further RW actions will begin to degrade the disk if the files can't be moved around on it.

Basically, you want to let the SSD wear-leveling algorithm write a file that's been updated to a new area of the SSD spreading around the write action so as not to use the same cells over and over again. On a full SSD that might not be possible.

https://techmonitor.ai/techonology/data-centre/how-long-do-ssds-really-last

Considering that to be the case then perhaps placing data on a magnetic harddrive and application software on the SSD is a better option. You get faster application startup without too much SSD degradation.
 
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SSDs are much faster than hard disks. But you said "external" I assume that means USB. USB ports come in many different speeds. If it is slow, it may limit the effective speed of the SSB.

You should run your own benchmark. Then assign the files you need fastest to the fastest device. For me, that means the Windows files for booting. Boot-up is much faster with the SSD.
 
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Also, unless your external is always plugged in, it can be a pain to use those applications.

Water under the bridge, but replacing the internal may have been better.
 
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russ_watters said:
Also, unless your external is always plugged in, it can be a pain to use those applications.

Water under the bridge, but replacing the internal may have been better.
Thanks. The SSD is an extra external drive I got to separate data from application in an attempt to be more efficient...
 
fog37 said:
Thanks. The SSD is an extra external drive I got to separate data from application in an attempt to be more efficient...
That's usually the better plan.

I take it you're still running out of space?
 
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