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Message: <blockquote data-quote="solas989" data-source="post: 390946" data-attributes="member: 87399">Well, considering not all HTPC's can actually support ALL those drives...we have to work things out. Yes, it IS best to have 3 physical drives...but in my HTPC, that is NOT possible (SFF).  Ideally you should have 1 small physical drive for OS, 1 small physical drive of swap and then big drives for data.  But not all HTPC's can do that.So...it IS better to partition when physical drives ARE limited, well IMO.  If you can have two physical drives, you should put the swap on the first partition of the second physical drive.  Even better is to have TWO swap locations as the OS is most likely to use the least active drive (well, XP does anyway).  Now, if a single drive is being used, I still suggest partitions.  The first partition is the Swap file. Quickest access because lots of files moved in this location. Then the second partition is the OS, second fastest.  Then the final partition is your data which does not need huge performance.  I didnt clearly state where each partition should be in my previous post.If a partition is NOT used, it will still work obviously.  But one needs to place certain files in certain area of the HDD for best performance possible.  Partitions do this. If partitions are not used, XP will place the swap where it deems - not always best place physically on HDD as well as all the other files.Since XP will place files where it can with a single partition,  it will still have to physically move the HDD head physically all the time like you stated to find what it needs, ALL HDD will do this whether partitioned or not.  Using a single partition does not eliminate the moving of the HDD head. It can be less movement in some cases with a single partition, but it can be more movement, especially after you place static files on your HDD (like movies).  When movies are installed, a big chunk of space is taken and it will still have to move the head a large distance for new files.  Using partitions imo creates static performance and helps reduce or eliminate performance loss over time.  Further, not using partitions in recording tv,dvds etc creates a MASSIVELY fragmented HDD. My drives get up to 30-40% fragmented in 3 days because I record and delete so much TV. I would rather NOT fragment my OS drive because it is more difficult to defrag it (if you want to defrag ALL of it).   I will clarify99.99% OF ALL USERS ARE BEST TO LEAVE THE SWAP ALONE. One should ONLY change it if they are comfortable configuring detailed system parameters. Since I am a computer geek and nerd, I do NOT have auto updates on. I will go out and update when they become available. Thus NOT use HDD time and internet bandwidth when I do not say so.  I also turn off and disable all unnecessary services to improve performance.  Also note with all DUAL tuners with a single HDD...if you are recording two HD shows and watching another HD show (thus processing 3 HD shows)...you WILL see shuddering because it is trying to write 2 HD shows while reading another.  This is why two physical HDD are necessary imo, unless you have a Raptor or other SCSI 10K-15K drives.  In my case, I can record one and watch another on the same physical drive without issue.  But when I add in the second recording, all bets are off.  This does not seem to happen with SD, but I dont record a lot of SD.</blockquote>

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