originsteam
Well the topic explains it all. I just reinstalled my PC. Now that I have a larger SSD I want to have some games on my SSD and some other games on my HDD.
I wonder if I should install Steam and Origin on the SSD, and move some of the games to my HDD, or can I also install Steam/Origin on the HDD, and move some of the games to the SSD? Is there a performance penalty?
I haven't installed Origin yet, but I would say it isn't even technically possible, short of reversing the game, Steamworks and the Origin interface.
Steam and Origin are different DRM systems with easily different interfaces between the game and the distribution system (i.e. ways for the program to ask "what's the user's avatar?", "does the user own this game?", "does the user have this DLC?", "please unlock this achievement", "please begin the purchase of this hat", etc.)
You can't just swap steamapp.dll for origindrm.dll (or whatever the relevant libraries are) and expect the program to work still.
The games could even be available in different versions between the two different platforms, so even just copy pasting the bulk of the game (levels, music, etc.) might be in vain.
In short, no, it's not possible.
The only way to do this at the moment, is to create a symlink and then move all files of the game to this new location. This requires to have NTFS as filesystem. This reroutes a directory or file to the true location of the file/directory.
More informations: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/
For your second question:
I personally would not install BF3 on a SSD since it does not require streaming textures and therefore, a SSD only provides a very minimal advantage when loading the level initially.
Best Answer
Steam/Origin programs themselves are small, but may make many changes to there own directories, because of this I won't install them on the SSD.
Personally I'd map specific directories only; i.e
/dir/steam/steamapps/common/game1/ maps to SSD:/game1/
This way you get full performance from the SSD without having to mess with Steam/Orgin's settings.
Also I'd ONLY map games that have large loads, small games aren't going to give a large enough difference in load speed.
NOTE: The only time I'd install Steam/Orgin on the SSD would be if there were only say 1 or 2 games installed and I wanted performance from both, then instead of hassling with mapping directories I'd just install all on the same drive.