Well, right now i have 500 GB space on 2 drives. One is the main drive where i keep the system and programs, while the other is the storage, where i keep everything else (ISO's included)
This is a good setup for good speed on a IDE-based system. The coputer can access all system-files, while not getting stoped from accessing the ISO's at the same time
If horror stikes, and the computer needs to swap on the dirve, it's always good to let it swap elsewhere from where it's reading..... :tai:
ISO's are good since (as stated above) no need to reach for the CD/DVD-pile and the discs are not getting scratched. Infact i keep most discs in my basement, where it's cool and dark.
Cracking has the downside that patches usualy doesn't work, so upgrading a game from 1.0 -> 1.3 is impossible, as you need to hunt for a new crack.
ISO FTW!
(Legal note: Here it's legal for me to make a personal backup and share it with my family and close FRIENDS if i like. Also a recent case showed that running cracked software on your personal computer would be legal as long as you own the original copy, regerdless of what the ToS sais about modifying the software)