But then again, wilbum, you should be gagged and locked in a basement?

Normally you would be so right, since you are running 4 games, games as in reading stuff from hdd's. Hdd's need interupts, hdds have no endless arms on them, so theoritcly it prolly would be faster from one folder (though I prefer saying 1 instance).

Then again, most of the basic wow files are based in big mpq files. How does your game respond to this file being opened and addressed/read by 1/2/3/4 or even 5 processes at the same time? Small margin for error? Too bad I dont know the specifics on this, but as far as I believe we have some hardcore pro's on this board who perhaps, can explain a bit more.

Practicly? Make one for each wow, period. For video settings, everything. Normal hdd drives out in the open right now are fast enough to react timely to your gaming needs and you wont know a thing. Wow speed is 90% based on cpu/mem and not on the size, er i mean speed of your hdd.

(did I mention a basement and a gag for wilbur?)