Moving applications to external SSD....

[fog37]

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!

 

[jedishrfu]

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.

 

[anorlunda]

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.

 

[russ_watters]

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.

 

[fog37]

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...

 

[DaveC426913]

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?