Ever waited forever for your favorite game to load? That spinning circle can feel like an eternity when you just want to jump into the action! Modern games are huge, gobbling up space faster than you can say “frame rate.” Choosing the right storage for your gaming PC is a big deal. Pick the wrong one, and you face slow loading screens, frustrating stuttering, or worse, not enough room for that new blockbuster title.
It’s a confusing world of SSDs, HDDs, NVMe, and SATA. Which one gives you the speed you crave without breaking your budget? Don’t let storage woes hold back your gaming experience! This guide cuts through the jargon. We will show you exactly how to pick the perfect storage setup.
Keep reading to learn the secrets to lightning-fast load times and massive game libraries. We are about to dive deep into making sure your PC stores your games perfectly so you can focus on winning!
Top Pc Storage For Gaming Recommendations
- PCIe 4.0 Performance: Delivers up to 7,100 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 1TB SSD: Provides space for AAA games, apps, and media with standard Gen4 NVMe performance for casual gamers and home users
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with laptops, desktops, and select gaming consoles including ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and AYANEO Kun. Also backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 systems for flexible upgrades
- Better Productivity: Up to 2x faster than previous Gen3 generation. Improve performance for real world tasks like booting Windows, starting applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and working in applications like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Trusted Micron Quality: Built with advanced G8 NAND and thermal control for reliable Gen4 performance trusted by gamers and home users
- GROUNDBREAKING READ/WRITE SPEEDS: The 990 EVO Plus features the latest NAND memory, boosting sequential read/write speeds up to 7,250/6,300MB/s. Ideal for huge file transfers and finishing tasks faster than ever.
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: Harness the full power of your drive with Intelligent TurboWrite2.0's enhanced large-file performance—now available in a 4TB capacity.
- EXCEPTIONAL THERMAL CONTROL: Keep your cool as you work—or play—without worrying about overheating or battery life. The efficiency-boosting nickel-coated controller allows the 990 EVO Plus to utilize less power while achieving similar performance.
- OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE: Optimized to support the latest technology for SSDs—990 EVO Plus is compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2. This means you get more bandwidth and higher data processing and performance.
- NEVER MISS AN UPDATE: Your 990 EVO Plus SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software. Stay up to speed with the latest firmware updates, extra encryption, and continual monitoring of your drive health–it works like a charm.
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows. For Mac users, first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
- Metal Desigin:Merely 0.51 inch thick.ABS Plastic+Aluminum external hard drive,with aluminum finish-style.shockproof, anti-pressure, ultra slim and portable.
- System Compatibility:MAC/Windows/2000/7/8/10,Vista,Linux,Android,
- Improve PC Performance: Powered by USB 3.0 technology, this USB hard drive is much faster than - but still compatible with - USB 2.0 backup drive, allowing for super fast transfer speed at up to 5 Gbit/s
- Plug and Play:With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.
- Package Includes: 1 x Portable Hard Disk , 1 x USB 3.0 cable,user's manual,3-Year manufacturer warranty with free technical support service.
- Efficient Performance: M.2 SSD 1TB adopts PCIe Gen4 x4 technology and is compatible with NVMe1.4 protocol, With speeds reaching 4800MB/s, the PCIE 4.0 1TB NVMe SSD is perfectly compatible with the PS5, ensuring swift game launches for an immersive gaming experience
- Ample Storage Expansion: The S690Q M.2 SSD offers storage capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB, eliminating concerns about game storage. Effortlessly expand your gaming storage and indulge in a plethora of gaming delights
- Fast Heat Dissipation: The graphite heat dissipation sticker ensures NVMe 1TB SSD operates at low temperatures during prolonged and intensive usage, providing a reliable memory expansion for your PS5
- Wide Compatibility: The Internal SSD 1TB not only provides optimal storage expansion for PS5, but also can be used on various platforms including desktops and laptops. Excellent compatibility provides a versatile solution, providing strong support for various scenarios, ensuring work efficiency and gaming experience
- 3-Year Service: Our 1TB NVMe SSD come with a 3 years after-sales service and lifetime technical support. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will sincerely and professionally solve the problem for you
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows. For Mac users, first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
- Elite Gaming Speed: Slash your load times with our blazing-fast SSD, hitting a maximum 7,401MB/s sequential read and 1,049K random read to launch games and apps with incredible speed (Note: Performance may vary based on system configuration, drive capacity, and software environment)
- Efficient Thermal Management:The integrated heat-conducting graphite sheet on this M.2 NVMe SSD effectively dissipates heat, preventing thermal throttling to maintain sustained high speeds. Its slim, single-sided design is particularly suitable for space-constrained laptop SSD upgrades
- Certified PS5 Compatibility: This M.2 SSD's standard NVMe 2280 size and PCIE 4.0 interface ensure exceptional compatibility, making it an ideal storage expansion for your PS5, PC, or laptop
- Engineered for Longevity & Reliability:This NVMe SSD offers an endurance of up to 500TBW with its superior TLC flash particles, offering greater endurance than typical QLC-based SSD. It is very suitable for high-load scenarios such as large games and programs
- Smart & Secure Architecture: Our advanced technology support provides all-round protection. SLC Cache and HMB enhance your user experience with faster speeds, while LDPC error correction and TRIM actively work to ensure long-term data security
- Ultra Performance SSD: This 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 SSD, which optimizes read speed up to 7450MB/s and write speed up to 6800MB/s, Dramatically reduce game load times, accelerate 4K video rendering, and meet the demands of gamers and professional creators
- Wide Compatibility: This 1tb internal solid state drive is widely compatible with desktops, laptops, game consoles, and more, easily installed in your M.2 slot to upgrade your storage
- Massive Storage Capacity: No worrying about running out of space, this 1tb internal gaming ssd offers ample space for storing a large library of AAA games, high-resolution videos, graphic designs, and more
- Reliability: Internal ssd is strictly screened and tested before leaving the factory to ensure data safety and reliability
- What You Get: 1 x 1TB Gaming SSD Internal Solid State Hard Drive, 1 x Installation kit, 1 x Manual
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Picking the Best PC Storage for Gaming
Gamers need fast storage. Slow storage means long loading screens. Fast storage lets you jump into the action quickly. This guide helps you choose the right PC storage for your gaming setup.
Key Features to Look For
When you buy storage for gaming, look for these important features:
- Speed (Read/Write): This is the most important factor. Faster speeds mean games load quicker. Look for high MB/s (megabytes per second) numbers.
- Capacity: Games take up a lot of space now. Modern AAA titles can easily be 100GB or more. Decide how many games you need installed at once. 1TB is often a good starting point.
- Interface/Connection Type: This tells you how the drive connects to your motherboard. Newer connections are faster.
- Durability: How long will the drive last? This is especially important for Solid State Drives (SSDs).
Understanding Interface Types
The connection type greatly affects speed:
SATA SSDs:
These are older but still good for budget builds or secondary storage. They use a standard cable connection.
NVMe SSDs (M.2):
These are the current kings of speed. They plug directly into a slot on your motherboard. They use the PCIe lanes, making them significantly faster than SATA drives.
Important Materials and How They Affect Performance
PC storage generally comes in two main types: Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs).
Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):
HDDs use spinning magnetic platters and a moving read/write head. They are made of mechanical parts.
- Pros: They offer huge storage capacity cheaply.
- Cons: They are slow because the parts must physically move to find data. They are also more fragile.
Solid State Drives (SSDs):
SSDs use flash memory chips (like a giant, fast USB stick). They have no moving parts.
- Pros: They are lightning fast. This drastically cuts game loading times. They are also very durable against bumps.
- Cons: They cost more per gigabyte than HDDs.
Recommendation: For your main operating system and favorite games, always choose an NVMe SSD. You can use a slower, cheaper HDD for older games or storing large media files.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about speed. It involves how the drive handles constant use.
Improving Quality: DRAM Cache
Some high-quality SSDs include a small amount of fast memory called DRAM. This cache helps the drive manage where data is stored very quickly. Drives without this (DRAM-less) are usually cheaper but might slow down during heavy, sustained file transfers.
Reducing Quality: Endurance Rating (TBW)
Every SSD has a Total Bytes Written (TBW) rating. This number tells you how much data you can write to the drive before the memory cells wear out. For a typical gamer, standard TBW ratings are usually high enough that you will replace your PC before the drive wears out. Very low TBW ratings could mean lower quality components were used.
User Experience and Use Cases
Your choice of storage directly impacts how you use your PC.
The Primary Gaming Drive (Boot Drive):
This drive holds Windows and your most-played games. You want the fastest option here—an NVMe M.2 SSD. This gives you the best user experience: instant boot-up and minimal waiting when loading levels.
The Secondary Storage Drive:
This drive holds older games, software installers, screenshots, and videos. Speed is less critical here. A large, affordable SATA SSD or even a large HDD works well for this secondary role.
Multiplayer Gaming:
In competitive games, every millisecond counts. Fast NVMe storage helps ensure textures and maps load before the match officially starts, preventing frustrating delays.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PC Gaming Storage
Q: Should I get an SSD or an HDD for gaming?
A: You should definitely get an SSD, especially an NVMe SSD, for your main games. HDDs are too slow for modern gaming standards.
Q: What does NVMe mean?
A: NVMe is a super-fast communication method that lets the SSD talk directly to the CPU through the M.2 slot on the motherboard.
Q: How much storage space do I need?
A: Most serious gamers should aim for at least 1TB (Terabyte) of fast storage. If you have a massive game library, consider 2TB or more.
Q: Will an SSD make my game graphics look better?
A: No, storage speed does not change graphics quality (that is the GPU’s job). It only changes how fast the game loads in.
Q: Can I use an external drive for my games?
A: You can, but external USB drives are usually much slower than internal drives. It is best for older games or backups, not brand new AAA titles.
Q: What is a good read speed to look for?
A: For a modern NVMe drive, look for speeds reading above 3,000 MB/s. SATA SSDs usually cap around 550 MB/s.
Q: Is it better to have one huge drive or two smaller drives?
A: It is often better to have two. Keep your operating system and main games on a fast 1TB NVMe drive, and store everything else on a larger, cheaper 4TB HDD or SATA SSD.
Q: Do I need a DRAM cache in my SSD?
A: It is highly recommended for primary gaming drives. It helps keep performance consistent when you are playing or downloading large updates.
Q: What is TBW?
A: TBW stands for Total Bytes Written. It measures the lifespan of the SSD based on how much data is written to it over time.
Q: Do I need to “defrag” my gaming SSD?
A: No. You never defragment an SSD. Defragmentation is for old HDDs and actually shortens the life of an SSD.