How Much SSD Should You Buy for Gaming?

When deciding on what size and type of SSD to buy for gaming, the most important consideration is how much space you need. You want to have enough room so that your games can be installed without using up all the storage space in one go.

If you are a gamer you know for sure that the answer to this question is purely an opinion base. A similar question will be “How much money will you need to live a happy life?”. See, it’s impossible to answer. Everyone has a different opinion and each person’s happiness threshold is different. So, the same goes for gaming SSDs – there is no one definitive answer.

That being said, here are some general guidelines you can use when making your decision:

• If you only play a few games on your PC and each game is around 30GB, you only need an SSD that’s around 500GB in size.

• If your gaming library consists of more than 10 games and each game takes up about 20 – 30 GB on average, then it might be time to consider getting a larger 1TB SSD instead.

• As prices continue to drop, large capacity SSDs are becoming increasingly affordable for home users. Today, you can find SSDs with capacities of up to 8TB.

Click here to jump recommended SSD section.

What is an SSD?

SSDs are a type of storage device that stores data using flash memory. This is different from hard disk drives which store data on magnetic platters. There have been massive decreases in the price per GB over the past few years and this has made SSDs more affordable for gamers who want better performance than what traditional HDDs can offer.

For more information about SSDs and why you should consider replacing your old HDD with an SSD, please refer to the articles below.

• SSD or HDD: Which Is Right for You?
• Reasons to Consider Replacing Your Traditional Hard Drive With an SSD

How To Use SSD for Gaming (3 ways in regards of capacity)

Nowadays, most SSDs from well-known brands offer up to 4TB of storage capacity. I understand that SSDs with capacities exceeding 1TB are more expensive. If you have a large number of games to store, you can do so in two ways

• Use a Hybrid drive
• Buy an SSD and a regular HDD
• Purchase a larger capacity SSD

Use a Hybrid drive

A hybrid drive is a storage device that combines a traditional spinning hard drive with a solid-state drive. It typically has a small amount of flash-based storage, which is faster than a regular HDD, and it uses this to cache data so that the operating system and applications can load more quickly.

For gamers who are looking for the best of both worlds in terms of storage speed and capacity, a hybrid drive is the way to go. Since hybrid drives combine the large storage capacity of an HDD with the faster read/write speed of an SSD, making them the perfect solution for gamers who want to be able to store their games on a single drive without sacrificing speed.

In addition, hybrid drives are more affordable than pure SSDs, making them a great option for budget-conscious gamers. So if you’re looking for the best of both worlds in terms of storage and speed, a hybrid drive is the way to go.

Recommended reading: What is SSHD and Which Is Better: SSD or SSHD

Buy an SSD and a regular HDD

When it comes to gaming, every millisecond counts. That’s why many gamers choose to invest in a solid-state drive (SSD). An SSD can significantly improve load times and overall performance, giving you the edge you need to come out on top.

However, SSDs can be quite expensive. One way to get the benefits of an SSD without breaking the bank is to buy a regular hard drive (HDD) for your games and install a separate SSD for your operating system. This will allow you to take advantage of the speed and reliability of an SSD while still being able to store all your games on a larger, cheaper HDD.

But keep in mind that installing a game on pure SSD will always outperform installing it on an HDD/SSD combo. So if you’re looking to get the absolute best performance possible, you’ll need to shell out for a pure SSD solution.

Purchase a larger capacity Pure SSD

This is the most expensive option, but it will offer the best performance. I definitely recommend this one over other options.

An SSD can give your computer the boost it needs to load games quickly and run them smoothly. And if you’re looking for the best gaming experience, you should definitely invest in a larger capacity SSD. Sure, you could get by with a smaller SSD for installing Windows and your game files.

But if you really want to reap the benefits of an SSD, you need one that’s large enough to hold all your games. With a larger capacity SSD, you’ll be able to load games faster and have more room for other applications. So if you’re serious about gaming, skip the small SSD and go for a larger capacity Pure SSD.

The important thing to keep in mind when purchasing an SSD for gaming is that not all drives are created equal. You should look for an SSD that has high read and write speeds. This will ensure that your games load quickly and run smoothly.

What are the benefits of using an SSD for gaming?

If you’re hesitant to buy the SSD because of the price, you should remember that when you use a pure SSD for every storage requirement it will give you the following benefits out of the box.

• Faster load times -Since SSDs have no moving parts, they can access data much faster than HDDs. This means that games and other applications will start up more quickly. In many cases, you can expect a reduction in loading times.

• Less lag -Since SSDs offer faster read and write speeds, you will experience less lag in games. This is especially noticeable when you playing highend games by enabling ultra graphics.

• No noise -HDDs are known for their loud humming noises. SSDs make no noise whatsoever, so you can game in peace without being disturbed by any annoying sounds.

• No vibrations -HDDs are known for their constant vibration which can be annoying in a quiet room or when trying to play games in bed. SSDs make no noise whatsoever, so you won’t have any issues with the HDD vibrating your case and creating unnecessary distractions while gaming.

• Less heat generation -Since there are no moving parts, SSDs generate less heat than HDDs. This means that your system will run cooler and you’ll be able to game for longer periods of time without having to worry about your hardware overheating. ( However, SSD’s heat can increase if the SSD is installed incorrectly or if it is faulty. Check this article Safe Operating Temperature For SSD . You can find out here why heat is harmful to SSD and how you can cool them down. ) )

• Smaller form factor -SSDs are much smaller than HDDs, so they take up less space inside your computer case. If you’re building a mini-ITX system with limited space, an SSD will help you achieve the best possible build.

• No risk of damage from dropping -Since SSDs have no moving parts, they’re much less likely to break when you accidentally knock over your tower or drop it. This means that if a hard drive is bumped while running, the chance of data loss increases significantly.

• More durable -Since there are no moving parts and an SSD uses flash memory, it is much more durable than an HDD. An SSD can withstand a lot more wear and tear, making it a better choice for laptops that are often taken on the go.

• Energy efficient -HDDs consume a lot more power than SSDs. This means that your system will run cooler and you’ll save on energy costs in the long run.

Considering the above benefits, an investment in SSD is definitely worthwhile even if the price is higher.

Biggest pc games by file size

So you are looking at how much SSD storage you require. As a gamer, I assume you are interested in high-end titles. To illustrate, let’s examine some of the latest and most famous games that consume a considerable amount of storage. Then, you will have a fuller understanding of what you are dealing with.

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – 231 GB
• Quantum Break – 178GB
• Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – 165GB
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – 150GB
• Hitman 2 – 149 GB
• Final Fantasy XV – 148GB
• Microsoft Flight Simulator – 127 GB
• Borderlands 3 – 116 GB
• Gears of War 4 – 112
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – 101GB

The list can be continued. I hope this gives you some insight. The 500GB SSD will suffice if you are only planning on playing one game at a time. A 250GB SSD may also suffice. Otherwise, if you wish to switch between games, you may want to consider 1TB or greater.

Recommended SSDs

There are two different types of SSDs.

• Serial Advanced Technology Attachment SSDs (SATA)
• Non-Volatile Memory express SSDs (NVME).

SATA SSDs are the more common type, and they use the same interface as traditional hard drives. NVMe SSDs are newer and faster, but they require a different interface. Both types of SSDs have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your needs. SATA SSDs are usually cheaper and more compatible with existing systems, but NVMe SSDs offer significantly better performance. So for your reference here I am mentioning best of the SSDs from each category.

To know more about NVME SSDS refer to What Is NVME SSD? The Future of Solid State Drives

Recommended NVME SSDs

Brand	Available Sizes	Warranty
WD BLACK SN850	500GB, 1TB, 2TB	5 Years
Crucial P5 Plus	500GB, 1TB, 2TB	5 Years

Recommended SATA 2.5 SSDs

Brand	Available Sizes	Amazon Link
WD Blue SATA SSD 2.5”/7mm	250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Check On Amazon
Crucial MX500	250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Check on Amazon
Samsung 870 QVO	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB	Check on Amazon