Gaming PCs have a reputation for being expensive and over-the-top. But even with a high initial investment, building your own gaming PC is cheaper than buying pre-built options that offer comparable performance. Is an SSD Necessary for a Gaming PC?
You do not necessarily need both types of storage for a gaming PC, It all depends on what you’re using the computer for and how much storage space you will need. Many people today use one SSD for Windows and apps, and then a regular hard drive for files as it usually provides more storage space
With the right strategy and shopping habits, you can get all the parts for a gaming PC for around $600. And if you’re willing to sacrifice some performance, you can bring that price tag down even lower.
Furthermore, gamers don’t need much extra storage space on their computer since most games take up between 20 GB and 50 GB of hard drive space after installation.
That’s why many budget-friendly gaming PCs are equipped with only one hard drive: the primary one. But what exactly does that mean? How important is a secondary hard drive in your gaming PC? Let’s find out!
Related Article: Where to Place the SSD in My Gaming PC
What is a Secondary Hard Drive?
A secondary hard drive is an additional storage device that is plugged into your computer using a SATA or USB cable.
It’s typically smaller in capacity than your computer’s primary hard drive, but that makes it a great tool for gaming PC users who want to save their games to a separate drive.
This second hard drive is referred to as being a secondary drive because it’s best to store non-game-related data on it.
The games and software that you run directly from your gaming PC’s primary hard drive are referred to as the primary content.
Why You Need a Secondary Hard Drive
The primary hard drive in your computer is used for a lot of tasks, including storing the operating system, program files, and your computer’s settings.
This drive is also where you install games for your gaming PC, which means the majority of it will be taken up by game data like saved game progress, high scores, and saved in-game settings.
If you try to install all of your games on the same hard drive as your computer’s primary drive, you’ll run out of space pretty quickly.
It’s recommended to have a secondary hard drive that’s designated for game installation. That way, you can free up your primary drive’s space by moving your games to the secondary drive.
A secondary hard drive will help you free up space on your primary hard drive. This will, in turn, speed up your gaming computer since it won’t need to access data as often.
A gaming computer with two hard drives will most likely be faster than one with only one. But it might cost you more in the long run since you’ll have to replace both hard drives at once when the primary one breaks down.
This setup also comes in handy if you want to install games on different hard drives. This can free up space on the primary one, which is often allocated to run the software, OS files, and essential game settings.
Alternatively, if you have a massive game collection that takes up too much space, you can install games on a secondary hard drive and still play them without issues.
Benefits of a Secondary Hard Drive in a Gaming PC
Space-saving: Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a secondary hard drive is that it frees up space on your computer’s primary hard drive.
It’s important to have enough storage space on your PC to store your operating system and other important files, but you also need space for your games.
Safety: If you’ve ever experienced a hard drive crash, then you know how devastating it can be to lose your data.
Having your games installed on a separate hard drive gives you some peace of mind in case your main drive ever fails.
You can also save some money on your gaming PC by opting for a smaller secondary hard drive without sacrificing game storage space. –
Ease of installation: Installing and uninstalling games on a secondary hard drive is much easier than trying to do so on your primary drive.
Most gaming PCs include only one hard drive, which means installing games on it directly can be a real hassle.
How to Choose the Right Type of Secondary Hard Drive
When shopping for a secondary hard drive, there are two important factors to consider: capacity and speed. Capacity refers to how much data the drive can store, with 500 GB being the standard for most gaming PCs.
The speed of the drive is important because it will affect how fast your computer performs. The most common types are SATA and USB, with SATA being the better option for gaming PC users.
Capacity – The more capacity, the more data you can store on the hard drive. Since gaming computers don’t need a ton of storage, it’s best to go for a 1 TB hard drive.
That’s enough space for about 20-30 large-sized games. – Speed – A hard drive’s speed determines how quickly it can read and write data.
If you don’t do much intensive editing, you can settle for the standard 7200 RPM hard drive speed.
Connectivity – Most modern gaming computers come with at least one USB port. If you’re looking to use an external hard drive and don’t have any ports, you can get a USB hub that plugs into the wall and provides more ports.
Can you run games off a secondary hard drive?
Yes, you can, but it’s not ideal for a few reasons. First, loading games off a secondary hard drive will take a bit longer.
If your gaming PC’s primary hard drive is plugged in, it will run the game off that drive and use the second drive only as needed.
Second, game files on a secondary hard drive aren’t as easily accessible. If you want to edit your saved game data, change your game settings, or input commands directly from your game’s folder, then you need to run your game from the primary hard drive.
Yes, but you’ll need to make a few edits to your gaming computer’s settings first. – First, you’ll need to enable your secondary hard drive’s folder so your computer can recognize it.
Next, you’ll need to find the location of your game’s folder. Click on it to open the game and navigate to the installation file.
Double click on the installation file and select “Run in a different location”. – Click “Browse” and navigate to the folder on your hard drive where you want to install the game.
How many hard drives should a gaming computer have?
You don’t necessarily have to have two hard drives in your gaming PC. You can choose to install your games on one drive and your operating system on another, or you can install both your games and your operating system on the same drive.
It really depends on your needs and budget. However, having a secondary hard drive is recommended for most gaming PC users.
By installing your games on a second drive, you’ll free up space on the primary drive and reduce the risk of data loss if your computer’s drive fails.
It depends on how many games you want to install. If you want to have about 30 games on your computer, a 1 TB hard drive should be enough.
If you’re a fan of digital games and want to download a couple of massive games, a 2 TB hard drive should be sufficient.
If you want to install all your games, a 3 TB hard drive will be necessary. In short, you can have as many hard drives as you want on your computer as long as your motherboard allows them.
You can even have a mixture of SSDs and HDDs, or SSDs and SSHDs.
Why do gaming pcs have two hard drives?
The primary hard drive in your gaming PC is used for several important tasks. It houses your operating system, stores your files, and provides the space necessary to run your programs.
Having a secondary hard drive in your gaming PC gives you the option of moving some of your data to the secondary drive, like your saved game progress, high scores, and saved in-game settings.
This frees up space on the primary drive, allowing you to install more games without having to delete anything.
A gaming PC with two hard drives allows you to separate your data. This makes it easier to organize your files and back them up.
While you can get away with having a single hard drive, having two is ideal and recommended. There are many ways to partition and separate your data between the hard drives.
You can put your operating system, games, and other important software on the primary hard drive. Then, you can put all your pictures, videos, and other data-heavy files on a secondary hard drive.
Recommended storage for gaming pc
The exact amount of storage you need for your gaming PC will depend on which games you play, the quality of graphics you prefer, and what other types of software you use.
If you like to play games with high-quality graphics and you use streaming software like OBS or XSplit, then you’ll need a lot more storage than someone who prefers to keep their graphics settings low and who only uses their computer for basic tasks like word processing.
In general, most modern games require at least 20 GB of hard drive space after installation, with some games requiring up to 50 GB.
If you like to play a wide variety of games, you may want to aim for an extra 30 GB of storage so you’re not constantly having to clear out old data.
If you’re not sure how much space your gaming PC needs, this chart offers a good starting point.
The recommended hard drive storage for a gaming computer is between 1 TB and 2 TB. If you have a gaming PC with only one hard drive, you can use a few helpful tips to minimize the amount of data you store.
First, you can disable any unneeded programs that run in the background. This includes your antivirus, sound, and weather apps.
Second, you can clear the cache on your browser and delete browsing history. And third, you can uninstall programs you don’t use. This will free up a little bit of space on your hard drive and help your computer run faster.
Can I install games on a secondary hard drive?
Yes, you can, but it’s not ideal for a few reasons. First, loading games off a secondary hard drive will take a bit longer.
If your gaming PC’s primary hard drive is plugged in, it will run the game off that drive and use the second drive only as needed.
Second, game files on a secondary hard drive aren’t as easily accessible. If you want to edit your saved game data, change your game settings, or input commands directly from your game’s folder, then you need to run your game from the primary hard drive.
That means you’ll have to exit your game, navigate to the folder on your secondary drive, make your changes, then go back to your game and click “Continue” to get back to where you left off.
It’s a bit of a hassle, so it’s best to install your games directly to your primary drive.
Is a solid-state drive necessary for a gaming PC
While a gaming computer that uses only one hard drive would be more affordable, it would also lead to space issues.
You’d have to regularly delete games from your system to make room for new ones. But that would be a problem for most gamers who want to keep dozens or hundreds of games on their computers.
A gaming PC with two hard drives would solve this dilemma. You could store your favorite games on the primary drive and relegate everything else to the secondary drive.
This way, you’d have space for new games and rarely have to worry about running out of room. That being said, there are other benefits to using two hard drives in a gaming computer.
For example, you can use one drive as a backup of your other data. Or you can install games on both drives to increase overall performance.
Can I use an M2 SSD instead of a standard SSD in a gaming PC
M2 SSDs are a lot like standard SSDs in that they’re flash drives with no moving parts.
They’re often cheaper than their traditional counterparts, but the difference in price usually isn’t significant enough to justify the swap.
A typical SSD is a little faster than an M2 drive, which means you’d get slightly better performance from a gaming computer that uses a standard SSD.
However, the difference between the two options is almost negligible in the real world.
In fact, the burst speeds of M2 drives are comparable to standard SSDs, which means they’re just as fast when it comes to loading huge games.
Do external hard drives affect gaming performance in a gaming PC
If you’re running your operating system and important programs (like your graphics card and sound card) off of an external drive, then yes, it will negatively affect your gaming performance.
However, if gaming is one of the programs that you’re running off of an external drive, then there shouldn’t be a significant difference in the speed of your gaming computer.
Generally, you shouldn’t use an external drive to store the programs that make up your gaming PC. If you do, you’ll see a noticeable drop in performance that can be frustrating to deal with.
Instead, you should use an external drive for storing media like pictures, videos, and music. There’s no noticeable difference in speed when running those programs off a separate drive.
Best SSD for gaming pc
The best SSD for gaming PC is the Samsung 860 EVO. It offers the best combination of speed, capacity, and affordability.
Meanwhile, the Corsair Force series is the best option for gamers who are looking for a more affordable option. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you’ll get a ton of extra speed and a longer lifespan from the Samsung 860 PRO.
It’s one of the most reliable SSDs available and has a 10-year warranty. The Samsung 860 EVO is our recommended gaming SSD because it offers the best combination of speed, capacity, and affordability.
With this SSD, you get sequential read/write speeds of 550 megabytes per second (MB/s) and 540 MB/s, respectively.
That’s plenty fast for running the latest PC games at the highest settings. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Corsair Force series is a great choice.
This SSD offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 560 MB/s and 540 MB/s, respectively.
Conclusion
A secondary hard drive is great for gaming PC enthusiasts who want to save their games without sacrificing space on their computers. It’s also a good idea to have a secondary hard drive.
When building your own gaming PC, you have the opportunity to choose which types of drives you want to use. You can go with a traditional HDD or opt for an SSD.
The decision will have an impact on your total cost and performance. Although HDDs are cheaper, SSDs have better performance and last longer because they have no moving parts.
Whether you use an HDD or an SSD, be sure to install your operating system and games on the primary drive.
This way, you’ll avoid running out of space and having to delete programs and games from your computer.
FAQs
What is a hard drive?
A hard drive is a computer storage device where data is stored permanently. It’s like a large external hard cover book with a bunch of pages inside. The pages are called sectors. What is the best hard drive? The best hard drive depends on your needs and budget. However, most gaming PC users recommend 7200 RPM drives because they typically have lower failure rates than slower-rotating drives
What is the difference between an internal hard drive and an external hard drive?
Internal hard drives are installed directly into your computer, usually inside the case. External hard drives are plugged in and connected to your computer using a SATA or USB cable. What is a hard drive capacity? The capacity of a hard drive is measured in gigabytes (GB). The more GB you have, the more data and games you can store.
How long does it take to install a hard drive in a gaming PC?
Installing a hard drive in a gaming PC takes about 10 to 20 minutes once you’ve connected the drive and downloaded the installation software from the manufacturer
How do I choose between an SSD and a hard drive for my gaming PC?
To decide between an SSD and a hard drive for your gaming PC, you’ll want to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). SSDs cost a bit more upfront, but they last longer and have lower TCO
Can you run games off a secondary hard drive?
While you can use a secondary hard drive for storing games and other files, it isn’t typically fast enough to run them. The standard for gaming computers is 7,200 RPM drives, which are simply too slow for running games. For instance, if you were to load up a game like Dark Souls, it would take nearly 30 seconds just to load the title screen. Obviously, that isn’t ideal, which is why you shouldn’t use your secondary drive for running games.
How do I install 2 hard drives in my PC?
If you want to install two hard drives in your computer, you’ll need to do some research on which drives are compatible with your motherboard. Once you know what kind you’ll be getting, you can follow the instructions in your motherboard manual to install the drives. Depending on your motherboard, you might be able to install a hard drive in the first slot on your motherboard and another in the second. Alternatively, you might be able to install one hard drive above the other on the same side of the board.