Can desktop size (too many files/large files) affect performance?

[pianoman88]

I was taught that the size of the desktop (the the number of files/total size) affects the performance of Windows - at least it did during the time that I was supporting Windows machines at work.

Is this the case with OS X?

Is it better to keep things stored in the Documents folder instead?

 

[GGJstudios]

I was taught that the size of the desktop (the the number of files/total size) affects the performance of Windows - at least it did during the time that I was supporting Windows machines at work.

Is this the case with OS X?

Is it better to keep things stored in the Documents folder instead?

Having files stored on a drive, regardless of location, does not impact performance, unless you're running out of drive space. The only thing that affects performance is what you currently have running.