Formatting Drive

me_again wrote on 6/12/2026, 2:42 AM

Greetings,

I wasn't sure whether to put this in Movie Studio or Off Topic so aoplogies if I chose incorrectly.

My son has given me a used 2Tb SSD which I've installed and I thought I would format it before I use it.

It wll be a video "overspill" drive with files varying from small MP3s to 30Gb+ AVIs, and I'm wondering what unit allocation size would be best.

I've not given this a thought before now, always using Windows default 4K, and I've made the mistake of reading about it online - now I'm totally confused.

Any suggestions?

AndyW

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 6/12/2026, 3:23 AM

@me_again

Hi Andy.

I think it's a great question as there used to be advantages and disadvantages to doing either regarding access times or amount of wasted disc space used. How much of that still holds with SSDs and faster computers in general I'm not sure. As my system is four generations behind your own, I don't think I'm the one to give advice for your system but can't wait to read some sage advice from others.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 6/12/2026, 4:13 AM

@me_again

Hi Andy

The more important format option is to use NTFS , which is a more secure option for preventing data loss, it is a self healing format and can repair small errors on it own.

With respect to the block size, @CubeAce is correct, there is the disc space/access time trade off.

I stick to the default option as I am storing files anywhere from 1 KB to 100+ GB in size.

Is the SSD drive going to be used just for storing files to be used in the video editor, or are you going to use it for exporting or disc burning as well?

John EB

me_again wrote on 6/12/2026, 4:41 AM

@johnebaker @CubeAce

Thanks both for the replies. I don't really know at the moment what it will be used for; video overspillwas my first thought but maybe for Windows libraries.

I happened to mention to my son that the 2Tb SSD I use for my video editing was three quarters full and I was thinking about getting a larger drive. He said he had one "lying around" and gave it to me, so I'd better at least install it.

I use an external drive for storage so from what you say, until I decide otherwise, I think I'll stay with the default setting.

AndyW

AAProds wrote on 6/12/2026, 6:40 AM

@me_again

Predominately video? 64k.