Mac + SSD question for someone smarter than me.

[gertsferd]

Ok so I'm very likely about to buy the new upgraded 15" MPB (what I need for work). I'm looking into running windows on it for gaming and so forth that I would only do when I'm at home. My question is whether or not I could install Windows and WoW on an external SSD for improved performance, or if that would be unhelpful and not as beneficial as just partitioning the 7200rpm 500GB internal HD and running WoW that way. Thanks for any advice on the best ways to improve performance.

[ayako]

Why not install the SSD internally?

[gertsferd]

I was under the impression there was no room to add one in along side a traditional hard disk. I don't really feel like paying an extra thousand bucks for a SSD big enough to work as my primary storage device. Are you saying there is a relatively inexpensive way to do what you are suggesting?

[ispano]

No, most people just use the SSD as the only internal device, and leave it at that. If it's too expensive to get one big enough for what you need, best bet is just to stick with the 7200rpm.

EDIT: They also will use a USB drive or possibly eSATA for storage if it was really needed, since you don't use an SSD for storage at all.

[ayako]

It'd have to be in lieu, MBP only has one slot. But if you go with 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm it will have decent performance as-is.

[Hottage]

Why would you install Windows on another hard drive when you can just play World of Warcraft natively under OSX?

[ayako]

Why would you install Windows on another hard drive when you can just play World of Warcraft natively under OSX?

Probably because WoW under Windows has slightly better performance than WoW under OSX

[Rampant Rabbit]

Why not run WoW on Mac instead of going through all the hassle just to play it on Windows?

If I were you I'd just make a 100-150gb partition and install Windows on it via Bootcamp.

[gertsferd]

ispano that was what I have heard as well, which brings me to my original question- could I use an external ~60GB SSD (much cheaper than getting a 256GB internal SSD) to install windows and wow on and utilize the new thunderbolt port for improved performance in gaming? Or is that just stupid and impossible. I really just don't know haha

[ispano]

Hard to say, I know something over eSATA is fine, but I don't know enough about how TB works to say yes to it. I personally wouldn't use an SSD via an external interface myself though.

[gertsferd]

Fair enough. Seems like just partitioning the regular 7200rpm drive is my best bet. Just didn't know what possibilities there were. Thanks for the input everyone.

[iSythe]

I wouldn't see it as being worth it. Not to mention 60GB probably isn't large enough for windows and WoW.

[Barawr]

60GB is plenty big enough for Windows and WOW. Mine currently still has over 16GB free with Office Ultimate, etc. installed along with it.

[Hottage]

The real question is whether the performance gains from dual booting to Windows are worth the hassle of having to reboot your PC before / after every game of WoW?

[gertsferd]

So are you saying you're doing what I suggested Barawr?

[ayako]

I wouldn't see it as being worth it. Not to mention 60GB probably isn't large enough for windows and WoW.

Depends on if you let windows make a 20+ gig pagefile+hiberfil like it wants to

[Cows For Life]

60GB is plenty big enough for Windows and WOW. Mine currently still has over 16GB free with Office Ultimate, etc. installed along with it.

You'd have to copy and patch it somewhere else and bring it back over each time they update.

[Tyrianth]

If you're only going to play WoW, why not just play it in OSX? It's just as good as in Windows. At least I don't notice a difference.

[gertsferd]

If you're only going to play WoW, why not just play it in OSX? It's just as good as in Windows. At least I don't notice a difference.

Even if it were only for WoW and not any other games, it just runs better on Windows. Not to mention addons and game peripherals are far more compatible.

[eldritchknight]

I don't think you can run Windows from an external drive. If it worked at all it would be incredibly slow.