The speed of your gaming PC depends on the storage device that houses its operating system, games, and other programs. How To Choose HDD Size for Your Gaming PC
Based on current trends and accounting for future needs, we would recommend getting a 2 TB HDD and running it in tandem with a 500 GB SSD
The faster the storage device, the better your system will run in terms of loading games, launching applications, and other operations that involve data.
You can choose from among three storage device sizes when building a gaming PC: HDD, SSD, and Hybrid. Each has its own pros and cons, however, you should base your choice on the software and games you plan to play. I
f you’re planning to play high-definition games, then an HDD is the right choice for your gaming PC. These internal hard drives store data on spinning discs and provide faster read/write speeds compared to SSDs. However, you’ll need to buy a separate enclosure to house the HDD.
Related Article: How Much Space Do You Need for a Gaming PC?
What is a Hard Drive?
A hard drive is a storage device that houses your operating system, games, and other programs. The faster the storage device, the better your system will run. You can choose from among three storage device sizes when building a gaming PC: HDD, SSD, and Hybrid.
A hard drive is a storage device that stores and retrieves data. A hard drive uses a magnetic platter to store data and consists of a number of concentric circular tracks, or “tracks”.
Data is written to the platter by an electromagnetic head which can read and write data from any point on the track. A hard drive is usually one of the primary components in a PC.
It receives power from the computer’s power supply and converts it into electricity that moves through the circuitry of the hard drive to provide power to read/write heads.
A mechanical hard disk drive consists of a flat, circular metal plate called a “disk” surrounded by one or more “heads”. The disk spins at high speed while being divided into multiple sections called “cylinders”.
Each cylinder holds sectors, where each sector contains 1MB (megabyte) or 2MB (gigabyte) worth of data. Data can be written onto these sectors as magnetic numbers in binary code.
The operation of both old and new drives is amplified electronically by reading electronic pulses from sensors attached to rotating disks or tapes.
The drive then translates those pulses into binary code that it can store on its platters, hence making the process much faster than if done mechanically with a pen and paper.
HDD size measurement
HDD size measurement can be a little confusing. That’s because the measurement is based on two factors: the disk width and the disk height.
The disk width, also known as its radius, is measured in millimeters (mm). The disk height is measured in cylinders or tracks. You might see HDD sizes listed as 1, 2, 3 or 4TB.
This indicates that it has a disk radius of 1-4mm and a disk height of 1-3mm. To make this easier to visualize, let’s compare a 3TB HDD with a 4TB HDD. A 3TB HDD would have a radius of around 120mm and be about 80mm tall.
A 4TB HDD would have a radius of around 160mm and be about 120mm tall.
Why you need to choose the right HDD size for your gaming PC
If you want to be able to store your operating system and games, you need a large HDD. However, if you want a small gaming PC with less space for the OS and games, you can choose a smaller HDD.
Some people might not care about the size of their gaming PC and just want to have a sleek design. Whatever your preference is, it’s important that you think about what type of gaming PC you want before purchasing any parts or accessories
HDD vs. SSD: Which one for a gaming PC?
SSDs, in contrast, provide fast speeds and are designed to store lots of data. This makes them perfect for gaming PCs. They’re more expensive than HDDs and are limited by the amount of data they can store.
Hybrid drives combine the best features of HDDs and SSDs without the limitations associated with either type. They offer speedy read-write speeds like SSDs but come with a large storage capacity like an HDD.
The size of your hard drive will depend on which software you plan to play. If you’re planning to play high-definition games, it’s better to opt for an external hard drive or hybrid drive in order to get a faster read/write speed.
If you want to install many applications and games, then an internal solid state drive is worth considering as it offers faster read/write speeds than traditional hard drives.
Recommended HDD sizes for Gaming PCs
Below are the recommended HDD sizes for gaming PCs. 1 terabyte (TB) – This is the best option for gamers who want a lot of storage space, or gamers who like to download different mods and updates.
500 GB – If you’re just starting out, this size is great because it offers enough storage space for your operating system and games.
250 GB – This size is good if you have a small desk or if you don’t need as much room on your hard drive.
120 GB – This size is good if you don’t store many photos or videos, but it’s not recommended if you’re an avid gamer. 80 GB – This size is good for smaller desks and people who want to carry their gaming PC with them during LAN events.
You need to figure out how much space you actually need on your HDD. For example, the most common size is 1 TB, but it’s not always the right size for your needs.
Below are some of the most popular HDD sizes and what they’re best used for. 1TB: This is a good option if you don’t want to spend too much money and have enough space for a few games or programs.
2TB: If you want to store more than a few programs, this is a good choice. You can also get this size if you have room on your desk for it.
5TB: This size is perfect if you want to store many programs and games on your PC without having to delete them after playing them.
5 TB provides plenty of space for an entire gaming library. 8TB+: If you’re looking for even more storage space, then this might be something worth considering.
8TB-12TB options are great if you plan on using your PC for video editing, heavy gaming, or other memory intensive tasks that require lots of storage space.
When Should You Go for an HDD?
If you want to play high-definition games, then an HDD is the best choice for your gaming experience. HDD storage devices store data on spinning discs and provide faster read/write speeds compared to SSDs. However, you’ll need to buy a separate enclosure to house the HDD.
An HDD is a hard disk, which is a storage device that stores data in the form of magnetized regions on a flat surface. It’s typically used in PCs to store all your critical data, such as your operating system and games.
You can also use an HDD to store all your media files, videos, and music. As technology continues to evolve, HDDs are becoming more popular because they offer larger capacities at lower prices than other storage devices.
An HDD is one of the most affordable ways to store large amounts of data without taking up much space. The typical HDD you’ll find in a PC is 3.5 inches wide and is typically anywhere from 1 TB to 4 TB in size.
However, there are some newer form factors for HDDs that range from 2.5 inches wide to 7mm thick (1 inch). Some people prefer these smaller form factors so they don’t take up too much space on their desk or desktop—this is great for those with small desks!
When Should You Choose an SSD?
If you’re not planning to play high-definition games, then an SSD is the right choice for your gaming PC. Solid state drives store data on flash memory and are considerably faster than HDDs.
They also power up more quickly and consume less power than HDDs. But, they are typically more expensive per gigabyte and provide less storage capacity compared to HDDs.
If you want a combination of the two, then go with a hybrid drive or SSHD. These storage devices combine SSDs and HDDs into one device that offers the benefits of both without any of the downsides of either.
You can still have your operating system, software, and games on an HDD while storing other files like documents, pictures, music, videos, etc., on an SSD.
How Much Hard Drive Space Do You Need for PC Gaming?
You need enough hard drive space for your gaming PC to store your operating system and games. In addition, if you plan to install more software in the future, you’ll want to consider a larger HDD.
Choosing your hard drive size is an important choice when building a gaming PC. You need to make sure you have enough space for your operating system and games, but also need to take into account how much space you need.
For example, if you have a small desk, then you might not want to get a HDD that takes up a lot of space. There are four different sizes of HDDs: 1TB, 2TB, 3TB and 4TB.
Your HDD size will depend on the amount of data you require for gaming and the type of games you play. The most common HDD sizes are 1TB and 2TB.
If you’re looking for more storage space for your PC gaming, then 3TB or 4TB will be ideal as they offer more storage capacity than the smaller options at a similar price point.
For example, if you’re playing graphics-heavy games like Tomb Raider or Fallout 4 and rely on fast loading times, then it’s worth investing in an SSD or SSHD hybrid drive instead of a standard HDD which may not be able to keep up with these demands.
Is SSD better than HDD for gaming?
SSDs offer a faster read/write speed when compared to HDDs. This makes them the better choice for games that require quick loading times.
However, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs and may not be able to store as much data (250GB is the maximum capacity). Hybrid drives are a mixture of an HDD and an SSD.
They have the capacity of HDDs but can deliver the read/write speeds of an SSD. This makes hybrid drives an excellent choice for gamers who want to enjoy fast loading times without spending too much money on storage space.
The other factor you should consider when building a gaming PC is your budget. If you’re looking to stretch your dollar as far as possible, then look into purchasing standard hard drives or a hybrid drive.
Is 320 GB HDD enough for gaming?
If you are planning to play games that require high levels of storage, then a 320 GB might not be enough. For instance, if you’re looking forward to playing games like The Witcher 3 and GTA V, then you might need to upgrade your HDD to either 500GB or 1TB.
If you prefer to play slower paced games, however, a 320 GB HDD should suffice. You can also opt for an SSD or Hybrid drive as these two don’t have the read/write speed limitations of HDDs.
Can HDD be faster than SSD? .
HDDs can be faster than SSDs, but only if you’re playing low-definition games. SSDs are faster and more power efficient than HDDs.
They also use less power and have a higher data transfer rate than HDDs. If you’re playing low-resolution games, then you might not need the speed of an HDD.
In such case, a slower SSD will do just fine. On the other hand, if you’re playing high-definition games with 3D graphics and fast-pace gameplay, then an HDD is the best option for your gaming PC.
The same applies to people who want to install a lot of software on their gaming PC.
Which HDD best for gaming?
Product Name Capacity Reason Chosen Seagate BarraCuda Hard drive 1TB to 8TB Best External Hard Drive, Samsung 860 EVO 250GB to 4TB Best Internal SSD Hard Drive, Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB | 2TB Best Hybrid HDD, WD Black 250GB to 8TB Best Internal HDD for Laptops
HDD size can affect your gaming PC primarily by limiting the number of games that you can store. For example, a 1TB HDD will hold about 130-150 games, which is not bad.
But if you want to store tons of games, you might need to get a larger HDD. If you are looking for an HDD for gaming, then you should take into account the size of the HDDs and how many games they will hold.
For smaller desktops or less storage space devoted to gaming, it’s ideal to go with a smaller HDD. However, if you have a large desktop or lots of storage space devoted in it, you may want to go with a larger HDD.
How Much Storage Does a Gaming PC Need?
If you’re not playing high-definition games, then a Hybrid drive is the right choice. These storage devices provide fast read/write speeds and let you choose between an HDD and SSD.
If you’re only planning to play casual games, then an SDD is the right choice. These storage devices are more expensive than HDDs, but they provide much faster read/write speeds, so your system will run more smoothly while playing games that don’t need a lot of storage space.
Best hard drive (HDD) for gaming in 2022
If you’re looking for the best hard drive for gaming in 2022, take a look at the Western Digital Black 5TB HDD. This manufacturer has been around since 1970 and is one of the longest-operating companies out there.
They manufacture a range of hard drives, including this model which is perfect for gamers. This HDD is designed to handle high-intensity usage, making it great for playing games.
The Western Digital Black 5TB HDD features an 8MB cache and runs at 7200RPM with 64MB cache buffer.
Is SATA faster than HDD? significantly faster than SATA drives
Is SATA faster than HDD? If you’re looking for a storage device that provides a balance between price and performance, then an SSD is your best option.
Unlike HDDs, SSDs store data on flash memory rather than discs. This means they access data significantly faster than SATA drives while costing less per gigabyte. And because they don’t use any moving parts, they will last longer than hard drives as well.
The downside to SSDs is that they have a limited lifespan; after about five years of use, their speeds will drop significantly unless you encrypt your data.
Finally, a hybrid drive combines the benefits of HDD and SDD storage devices in one package. These drives have a small amount of flash memory to increase speed while using spinning discs for inexpensive storage space.
Although the speed benefits are lower than those of an SSD, the price is usually low enough to make up for it. Hybrid drives are also more durable than HDDs or SDDs since there aren’t any moving parts at all.
What is the fastest HDD?
If you’re looking for a faster storage device than an HDD, then a Solid State Drive (SSD) is the right choice. These flash-based drives boot up and load games more quickly than HDDs.
However, SSDs are more expensive in comparison to HDDs. If you plan to run the same game on multiple systems or buy new games frequently, then an SSD is a better option.
On the other hand, if you’re not planning on buying many games and want a faster system that doesn’t cost too much, then an HDD is your best bet.
How Much Hard Drive Space Do You Need for PC Gaming?
The size of the hard drive you need for your PC gaming depends on how much storage space you actually need. For example, if you only play a few games and have a small desktop, then a smaller HDD size would be sufficient.
However, if you have a lot of games, or don’t want to take up too much space, then getting a larger HDD will be beneficial.
There are many different sizes to choose from with HDDs. These sizes differ in their gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB). The smallest size has 500 GB of storage space and the largest size has 7 TB of storage space.
When choosing the right size for your gaming PC, it is important to consider not just your current needs but also future needs for gaming.
FAQs
How much storage space do you need?
The amount of storage you require depends largely on how many games and other programs you want to install. For example, installing one game takes up at least 6GB of space. You’ll also need to allocate space for the operating system and any other applications that you plan to install. That said, most gaming PCs come with a 1TB HDD, which is sufficient for most users.
What are the drawbacks of using an HDD?
HDDs have slower read/write speeds than SSDs. As such, this type of storage device might not be ideal if you’re looking for high-end performance in your gaming PC.
What is the difference between a hard drive and a solid state drive?
A hard drive stores all of your files, which can slow down your computer. A SSD has no moving parts and it’s faster than a hard drive. It’s also more expensive than a hard drive.
What size storage space should I get for my gaming PC?
This depends on how many games you want to play at once, what type of games you play, and how many other programs or files you need to store on your PC.
Conclusion
When building a gaming PC, it’s important that you choose the right HDD size. The right HDD will provide you with enough space for your operating system and games.
You also need to think about your gaming preferences and how much storage space you need. For example, if you have a small desk, you might need to get a smaller HDD, whereas if you have a large gaming space, you might need to get an HDD that takes up more space.
Let’s take a look at the different size options and how they affect your gaming PC.
If you are building a gaming PC on a small budget, it is recommended to get an HDD that has 320 GB. This size should be enough for most games and your OS.
If you have a large budget, it’s recommended to get an HDD with 1 TB or more of storage space. This gives you extra space to download games without running out of memory.