optimal filesystem and partition scheme for a ssd?

[puke]

i am about to install mint cinnamon 17.2 64bit (gpt uefi) and i wonder what would be the optimal filesystem and ideal partition scheme for a 256gb ssd? besides, i also still want to use a few windows programs in wine.

[Pierre]

probably use the default of ext4 filesystem,
and maybe:
- 10Gb / root
- 245Gb / home
- 1-2 Gb /swap
or something like that. ..

[Pjotr]

Some tips for optimizing your SSD in Linux Mint:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinuxtipsproject/ssd

Good luck!

[puke]

thanks for your suggestions. i think of not using swap at all with the ssd, i have plenty of ram.

ok, so all the way ext4 for

/root - 10gb
/home


what about these partitions, they were recommended on several sites as well?

/boot ext2/ext4 500mb
/var ext4 ?
/data ext4

though not sure why ext2 is sometimes preferred for boot?

[niowluka]

/root - 10gb

That's more than likely to end up not being enough. Give at least 20 for peace of mind.

/boot ext2/ext4 500mb
/var ext4 ?
/data ext4

None of these are necessary, I'd keep it simple.

[niowluka]

P.S. I was actually originally meant to say I use btrfs. It has optimization options for SSD, plus a couple of other funky features.

[mintybits]

I agree with niowluka.

With ext4 you'll want to do something about trim. In my case I added "relatime,discard" options to the file system mount directives in fstab.

[puke]

i have also read that btrfs is the way to go with ssd. but on the other hand, i also read the complete opposite:

The best file system (formatting) for an SSD, is the usual default EXT4. So you don't have to choose anything different in this respect.

and

Note: don't select the BTRFS file system! Because under certain circumstances, BTRFS causes a huge amount of write actions.


now - is btrfs mature and save to use at all? what are the big drawbacks.

correct me if i am wrong, the mint installer does not support btrfs?

and when using btrfs, a /boot partition is also required. how big should it be? is 1gb fine in the end?

can win programs with wine use / access btrfs?

i am quite puzzled, that is why i am asking for your help here...

how about this:

sda1 esp fat32 200mb
sda2 /boot btrfs 1gb
sda3 /root btrfs 20gb
sda4 /home btfrs

[niowluka]

The best file system (formatting) for an SSD, is the usual default EXT4. So you don't have to choose anything different in this respect.

The bottom line is: you can use any filesystem ...

Note: don't select the BTRFS file system! Because under certain circumstances, BTRFS causes a huge amount of write actions.

Don't know anything about that. Been using btrfs for almost a year now on my SSD, and I haven't noticed anything untoward.

correct me if i am wrong, the mint installer does not support btrfs?

It does, it just doesn't come with btrfs-tools by default, you need to install them first.

and when using btrfs, a /boot partition is also required. how big should it be? is 1gb fine in the end?

I don't think separate /boot is required for btrfs, although I am not sure about grub. I do have a separate jfs /boot partition, so utterly unsure. 1G is more than plenty, mine is 128M.

can win programs with wine use / access btrfs?

Yes.

how about this:

sda1 esp fat32 200mb
sda2 /boot btrfs 1gb
sda3 /root btrfs 20gb
sda4 /home btfrs

In principle yeah, why not. Couple of things:
- don't know what would sda1 be for, so I am assuming you have some important reason
- if that's a GPT partition table then yes, if it's msdos, then you'd want to put at the very least /root and /home on extended partition (i.e. sda5 and sda6 respectively)

With ext4 you'll want to do something about trim.

I think you need to do that for any filesystem, don't you ?

[Pjotr]

Note: don't select the BTRFS file system! Because under certain circumstances, BTRFS causes a huge amount of write actions.

Don't know anything about that. Been using btrfs for almost a year now on my SSD, and I haven't noticed anything untoward.

This has to do with the Snapshot feature....

[mintybits]

If you install using UEFI/GPT then just let the Mint installer do its thing. It has to create an ESP (EFI System Partition) into which it will place a Grub boot loader. In GPT there is no limit to partitions so the concept of extended partitions doesn't apply. There is no need for a separate boot partition. But you will need to disable "Secure Boot" in the UEFI settings or Mint won't boot.

I wouldn't think the file system you choose for /root and/or /home will matter much unless you have some specialist needs. So I'd stick to ext4 as that's what almost everyone uses.

[mintybits]

With ext4 you'll want to do something about trim.

I think you need to do that for any filesystem, don't you ?

Yes, I would think so.

[niowluka]

Note: don't select the BTRFS file system! Because under certain circumstances, BTRFS causes a huge amount of write actions.

Don't know anything about that. Been using btrfs for almost a year now on my SSD, and I haven't noticed anything untoward.

This has to do with the Snapshot feature....

Do expand. I've played a little with snapshots on btrfs and, again, haven't noticed anything suspicious.

[Pjotr]

Do expand. I've played a little with snapshots on btrfs and, again, haven't noticed anything suspicious.

Under certain circumstances, the snapshots can cause a lot of writing activity....

[puke]

ok, so now i know that btrfs is indeed an option, except for a rare exception...

but again, i am looking for the overall ideal solution at the moment (gpt uefi ssd install), and i would like to avoid a reinstall in a few months. so ext4 is still considered best choice as of now, if i understood you correctly?

besides: somewhere i read it is better to start the uefi installation from dvd instead from usb, because some usb creator tools can cause problems. is this true? how about latest unetbootin with mint 17.2?