I’d like to explain how I keep my photos safe and get the best performance out of my computer. For my internal drive I use a fast 256GB solid state hard drive (SSD). This stores only my operating system, program files and my Lightroom Catalog. I then use an external drive (or in my case a RAID) to store my data files and photos I also use a 3-2-1 Backup for Photographers plan to keep my photos safe (check out that article for some more tips).
Why this Configuration
People often ask me why I have two drives when one is cheaper and easier to keep track of. This two drive configuration, storing just your operating system along with program files and your Lightroom catalog on your local drive, keeps your system running fast.
When a hard drive gets full, it takes longer to read and write the data to and from the disk, slowing your system down. Adding large amounts of photos to a local drive can fill the drive fast, causing poor performance. Additionally, trying to run an operating system and applications while also opening and closing files means your disk is trying to push data in at least two directions at once. This is why a separate drive is needed.
Separate Drives
A separate drive can either be internal or external. This drive stores just your data and photos so you need to ensure you have enough room to handle your storage needs. Personally, I use a Drobo 5D that allows me to add additional storage as my needs grow. My computer sees the Drobo as one large drive.
Before Drobo, I had multiple internal drives. Each were assigned a drive letter with a label. I kept data files on drive D that was labeled Data. I spread my photos across several drives when I reached 70% capacity. Remember, when a hard drive fills, it slows down. 70% seemed to be a good percentage for performance.
The Bottomline
Separating your operating system and program files from your data and photos…
- makes your system run faster.
- allows for expansion when you need more storage capacity for data and photos.
- makes it easier to organize and backup your data.
At the very least, this post dabbles with being incorrect. Or it’s just plain wrong. 1. “When a hard drive gets full, it takes longer to read and write the data to and from the disk, slowing your system down. Adding large amounts of photos to a local drive can fill the drive fast, causing poor performance.” Right… But your local drive is an SSD. Traditional hard drives slow down because of how they physically record data. SSD’s don’t suffer from that problem. 2. “Additionally, trying to run an operating system and applications while also opening and closing files means… Read more »
Josh, Thank you for taking the time to write this comment. Obviously you have a lot of knowledge in this area however, you may have missed the concept of this article. You can choose to use an SSD drive or a unit like Drobo, either way, an external hard drive should be used for your photos. If your operating system takes a dive (I’m on windows) you won’t have access to your photos. With an external hard drive, you are able to connect to another computer and you’re back in the game while you’re OS is being repaired. Your scenario… Read more »
I’m all for using external drives for backup. (I keep three different backups of every drive I use, including the SSDs in my laptop and desktop machines.) What I’m saying is: 1. Assuming you have a newer Mac or any machine with a newer (less than 3 years old) SSD, use your main drive for the set of photos you’re currently working on. You’ll probably see the best speeds this way because an SSD set as the main drive is going to have the fastest connection. And using it “for both the system and photo files” will definitely not slow… Read more »
Josh… hate to differ but an external drive (assuming its a fast drive) on a modern connection is going to be just fine for editing. Needing to move things from internal to external is one more chance to screw up your backup. And running Apps, OS, scratch disk, and working files does create a backlog. Doesn’t matter Mac or PC.
Keep in mind that drives in a box (i.e. not powered and spinning) will lose their charge and eventually data.
I have to agree with Josh. The fact that he is storing stuff on a drive in a box is not a problem at all. ALL physical media will deteriorate over time, and that’s why he also uses Amazon Glacier for off-site backups. (You might argue whether Amazon Glacier is well suited for this workflow, but that’s not the point here.) Furthermore, Josh is merely saying that for best performance (which this article is addressing) you should actually keep your photographs on your SSD. An external drive might be fast enough indeed, but the article is pointing out that it’s… Read more »
You’re right. USB 3.0 is just fine — assuming the disk isn’t a tortoise. My point was that an internal SATAIII SSD (not to mention flash storage on an even faster PCIe bus) is fast enough that even with it doing so much at once, it’s still faster than external. But is external fast enough in most cases? Probably.
I’ve been using external drives (and external drives only) to host my very large and numerous photo collections for a decade. I’ve used every connection available during that timeframe from USB to Firewire, to USB 2.0, 3.0 and Thunderbolt. Fast enough for me.
Absolutely nothing wrong with the post you wrote V. It was spot on and valuable advice.
I’ve been using external drives (and external drives only) to host my very large and numerous photo collections for a decade. I’ve used every connection available during that timeframe from USB to Firewire, to USB 2.0, 3.0 and Thunderbolt. Fast enough for me.
Absolutely nothing wrong with the post you wrote V. It was spot on and valuable advice.
You’re right. USB 3.0 is just fine — assuming the disk isn’t a tortoise. My point was that an internal SATAIII SSD (not to mention flash storage on an even faster PCIe bus) is fast enough that even with it doing so much at once, it’s still faster than external. But is external fast enough in most cases? Probably.
At the very least, this post dabbles with being incorrect. Or it’s just plain wrong. 1. “When a hard drive gets full, it takes longer to read and write the data to and from the disk, slowing your system down. Adding large amounts of photos to a local drive can fill the drive fast, causing poor performance.” Right… But your local drive is an SSD. Traditional hard drives slow down because of how they physically record data. SSD’s don’t suffer from that problem. 2. “Additionally, trying to run an operating system and applications while also opening and closing files means… Read more »
Josh, Thank you for taking the time to write this comment. Obviously you have a lot of knowledge in this area however, you may have missed the concept of this article. You can choose to use an SSD drive or a unit like Drobo, either way, an external hard drive should be used for your photos. If your operating system takes a dive (I’m on windows) you won’t have access to your photos. With an external hard drive, you are able to connect to another computer and you’re back in the game while you’re OS is being repaired. Your scenario… Read more »
I’m all for using external drives for backup. (I keep three different backups of every drive I use, including the SSDs in my laptop and desktop machines.) What I’m saying is: 1. Assuming you have a newer Mac or any machine with a newer (less than 3 years old) SSD, use your main drive for the set of photos you’re currently working on. You’ll probably see the best speeds this way because an SSD set as the main drive is going to have the fastest connection. And using it “for both the system and photo files” will definitely not slow… Read more »
Josh… hate to differ but an external drive (assuming its a fast drive) on a modern connection is going to be just fine for editing. Needing to move things from internal to external is one more chance to screw up your backup. And running Apps, OS, scratch disk, and working files does create a backlog. Doesn’t matter Mac or PC.
Keep in mind that drives in a box (i.e. not powered and spinning) will lose their charge and eventually data.
I have to agree with Josh. The fact that he is storing stuff on a drive in a box is not a problem at all. ALL physical media will deteriorate over time, and that’s why he also uses Amazon Glacier for off-site backups. (You might argue whether Amazon Glacier is well suited for this workflow, but that’s not the point here.) Furthermore, Josh is merely saying that for best performance (which this article is addressing) you should actually keep your photographs on your SSD. An external drive might be fast enough indeed, but the article is pointing out that it’s… Read more »
Josh is right…. and the author and responders cant use the “backup in case the operating system fails” when that isnt the point said in the article, it was about speed, and i think the author and a poster dont realize the difference between RAM and a hard drive…. Great idea, but the concept behind it is completely flawed.