Drive Configuration for Steam in a New Build

[Tipperary Red]

Hi all,

I'm currently planning out a new PC build, and I'd greatly appreciate any feedback that anyone could offer on my current thoughts on how to set up my drives in the new machine. Whether it's correcting any false assumptions, pointing something out that I seem to be overlooking, or just highlighting any general pros and cons, anything offered would be much appreciated. It is going to be my first adventure into the world of SSDs, so I'm anxious about making too many assumptions without any outside opinions on my theories.

In short, what I want is to have a system that runs all applications, including my Steam library, off of an SSD. I'll have an additional 2TB hybrid drive to handle all basic file storage. My current Steam library amounts to about 480GB of storage space (with a lot of programs uninstalled already...), so taking into account the space need to install the OS and other applications, a single 500GB SSD really wouldn't be large enough to suit my requirements. At the same time, I don't want to stretch to a 1TB SSD, and the 750GB 840 Evo is basically just as expensive as the 1TB model...

The theoretical solution that I'm leaning towards is to purchase both a 128GB and a 500GB SSD. I'd install the OS onto the smaller drive, and manually create a Steam folder within Program Files (x86). Then I'd install the second drive by using the Steam folder as a NTFS mount point for the entire 500GB drive. In theory, when I then install Steam (and all subsequent Steam apps) into that same folder, they will be installed and run solely from the second SSD, leaving my 128GB drive free to be used for the OS and additional applications outside of Steam. With the emphasis on "in theory"! :-D

Thanks in advance for any input,

Tipp Red

(P.S. As a alternate possibility, I am also considering the option of just having one SSD, creating a 500GB partition on my hybrid drive and mounting that onto my Steam folder instead. Again, if this has any merits or problems that you can see, please do let me know!)

[chiefputsa☒lag]

install OS and 5 favorite games into a 512gb SSD.
rest of steam games into a 2tb wd black hdd.

[Wampum Biskit]

except for a few games there's no advantage in playing games off a ssd , so with that in mind you could just use a single 256gig SSD , and make the 2nd partition on your hybrid drive.

or buy a 256gig SSD + another 2Tb drive and just use that entire drive for steam...

[Silicon Vampire]

no need to make mount points at all. you can have more than one drive/folder for Steam. I have 240GB SSD with OS/other programs and Steam/about a dozen games. 2 - 1 TB WD Black HDs, each with an aux Steam folder and containing hundreds of games.

[Tipperary Red]

Thanks folks, I'm definitely getting the impression already that I over-thought this one!

I'd always thought that everything within Steam had to be contained within a single location, hence why I went so left field with my planning. With a bit of extra research I see that there's a third party "SteamTool Library Manager" which can split things up. Is that how you split things between your three drives Silicon Vampire, or does Valve offer that option itself now?

[Wampum Biskit]

you can actually add folders to your settings , and when you buy or install a game it will let you select whatever drive/folder you want to install it to...

i personally have all my games on 2 dedicated 2tb drives.

[Sir Floppenstein]

steam - settings - downloads - steam library folders - add library folder

choose whichever folder you want when installing games

[Tipperary Red]

Wow, I had no idea that option had appeared there. That certainly makes everything a whole lot easier to manage! Thanks a lot folks, I think I'll go for a single 256GB 850 Pro and save myself a whole heap of cash compared to what I'd been planning to do... Always great to have a helpful online community to rely upon for advice!