should i partition?

[cutter]

I have the following system coming in the mail:

Intel 865PE chipset (mobo made by Gigabyte)
3.0ghz P4 800mhz fsb
radeon 9800 pro 128mb vid card
120gig 7200rpm HD with 8megs cache
1 gig DDR 400 pc3200 RAM
Windows XP Home Edition installed

I will use this system primarily for games (especially Rainbow Six 3: Ravenshield), but also for word processing, excel, powerpoint, MP3's, photoediting, etc.... My question is, should I partition my new HD (with something like Partition Magic)? And if so, how should it be done (3 partitions? one for OS, one for apps, one for data?), and what sizes (40gigs each?). Anything special to do to optimize gaming?

Thanks in advance...

[Renzatic Gear]

There's no real performance gain from putting your OS on a seperate partition, but it'll make for an easier time cuz you can format that partition and still keep your data. If you still wanna do it I'd probably partition from inside the WinXP install, I've never used Partiton Magic so I can't really vouch for how good it is.

If you do want a good performance recommendation then go ahead and turn off your virtual memory swap file. With a gig of ram you won't ever have to worry about using up all of it, and since XP likes to use your much slower harddrive even when it has plenty of ram to eat you'll notice a pretty big difference.

[And_so_it_goes]

There's no real performance gain from putting your OS on a seperate partition, but it'll make for an easier time cuz you can format that partition and still keep your data. If you still wanna do it I'd probably partition from inside the WinXP install, I've never used Partiton Magic so I can't really vouch for how good it is.

If you do want a good performance recommendation then go ahead and turn off your virtual memory swap file. With a gig of ram you won't ever have to worry about using up all of it, and since XP likes to use your much slower harddrive even when it has plenty of ram to eat you'll notice a pretty big difference.

hmm.... i was recomended to keep the virtual memory setting high. but if what you say is true, and it makes sence to turn it off, i'll give it a shot and see what happens.

[Aku]

There's no real performance gain from putting your OS on a seperate partition, but it'll make for an easier time cuz you can format that partition and still keep your data. If you still wanna do it I'd probably partition from inside the WinXP install, I've never used Partiton Magic so I can't really vouch for how good it is.

I partioned my drive with Partition Magic. It worked really well. And you can go back and re-partition to your heart's content if you want, without having to reinstall Windows.

[cutter]

I partioned my drive with Partition Magic. It worked really well. And you can go back and re-partition to your heart's content if you want, without having to reinstall Windows.
How did you set up your partitions, Aku? I've heard/read that the OS should go on one (10gigs or so), and then divide the rest of the drive into 2, with one for apps and one for data. And maybe a fourth for mp3's, photos, videos? Would this help against viruses?

[Renzatic Gear]

Not really, once a virus hits your system it'll usually make its way through all your drives, physical or partitions...specially the modern bugs.

Beyond that there isn't really any reason to do it besides keeping everything organized.

[Aku]

How did you set up your partitions, Aku? I've heard/read that the OS should go on one (10gigs or so), and then divide the rest of the drive into 2, with one for apps and one for data. And maybe a fourth for mp3's, photos, videos? Would this help against viruses?

My C drive is too big at 20 gigs. There's a lot of space on it that isn't used, and I should shrink it. 10 gigs sounds about right.

[cutter]

My C drive is too big at 20 gigs. There's a lot of space on it that isn't used, and I should shrink it. 10 gigs sounds about right.

So, I think what I will do is this (3 partitions):

1. 10 gig - Windows XP
2. 40 gig - Apps/games
3. 70 gig - MP3's/data/photos

Make sense?

[Renzatic Gear]

I'd make it:

1. 10 gig - Windows XP
2. 70 gig - Apps/games
3. 40 gig - MP3's/data/photos

You're more likely to fill up your space with apps and games than you are MP3's and pics. Unless you're plan on getting ALOT of teh pr0n...I won't judge.

[cutter]

Thanks for the help, and I prefer the term "erotic audiovisual art". ;-)

[Renzatic Gear]

lol, call it what you like...it's still teh pr0n.

ANYWAY..back on topic here...truth be told I'd probably shift the numbers around a little more. I've been collecting MP3's for a couple of years now and it's taken me awhile just to get up to the gig and a half mark. I'd say 40 gig for that would be a bit overkill, instead go with

90 games/apps
20 MP3's/photos

Course you'll be a better judge of what you use your harddrive for than I will. After all, I only hit up the MP3 scene like once a week at most..you might get more.