As an academic expert in gaming PCs, I’m often asked, “How much storage is recommended for a gaming pc?” The answer is dependent on what type of gaming someone wants to do. As the definition of gaming on PCs continually evolves and gaming becomes increasingly more sophisticated, the amount of storage needed will change accordingly.
The general consensus among gaming PC experts is that the minimum storage requirement for a basic gaming PC is 128GB, but that may vary depending on the type of game being played. For example, if someone wants to play an AAA title, they might need more storage than someone who prefers simpler, less graphically intense games.
The type of storage is important as well. A hard drive will usually offer more storage at a lower cost, but it will run slower than an SSD. And if someone is looking for faster loading times, an SSD might be the better choice. Depending on their budget, gamers may opt for both, using their hard drive for storing their games and an SSD for faster loading times.
If gamers plan to build their own gaming PC, they should make sure that the motherboard has enough storage connections to accommodate the desired storage drive of choice. Many gaming PCs come equipped with a single hard drive, but a wider variety of drives can be added if the motherboard allows.
One of the biggest caveats when it comes to storage needs is future-proofing. Gamers should always purchase a large enough capacity drive to accommodate their current gaming needs, as well as any future games they plan to get. It’s also important to make sure the storage they buy is compatible with their OS.
Finally, gamers should be aware of not only their storage needs but also how much space their games take up. Some games, especially recent AAA titles, can be as large as 50GB or more. It’s important to factor in the total size of their game library and make sure there is ample storage for it.
PC Upgrades
When it comes to gaming PCs, storage is only the first factor to consider. As game requirements evolve and become more complex, gamers may need to upgrade other components as well in order to keep up. This may include getting a stronger graphics card, a larger RAM size, faster hardware, or even upgrading to a more modern processor.
Fortunately, many gaming PCs can be upgraded as needed, often with relative ease. The key is to research the type of games that a gamer wants to play, and choose a PC that is compatible with their hardware and software needs.
However, even if the PC is upgradeable, it’s important to bear in mind that certain components may become outdated more quickly than others. A good example of this is storage. As technology advances, older hard drives and solid-state drives may become obsolete more quickly than a more modern processor.
That’s why, when shopping for a gaming PC, it’s important to select a model that can handle the most common upgrades. For example, many gaming PC cases are designed with multiple expansion slots, making it easier to add more memory or storage. Also, make sure the case supports a wide variety of common gaming components so that it can be swapped out if needed.
In addition, consider whether or not a gaming PC has external ports that can be used to connect to external components, such as a gaming console, or a Virtual Reality headset. These ports may limit the type of gaming that can be done, so it’s important to be mindful of them when selecting a gaming PC.
Steam and Other Game Providers
Another factor to consider when choosing storage for a gaming PC is the game provider. Many modern games are now purchased and downloaded from online game providers such as Steam, GOG, and Epic Games. These game providers often have their own storage requirements, which may require even more storage than the game itself.
For example, Steam recommends that users have at least 15GB of storage dedicated to the Steam application, as well as an additional 6GB for each game that is stored on Steam. That adds up to a lot of storage if someone is an avid gamer and has dozens of games stored on Steam.
The same applies to other game providers, such as GOG and Epic Games. It’s important to research the specific storage requirements of each provider before making a purchase.
However, some game providers, such as the GOG Galaxy 2.0, offer the ability to store games in the cloud. This frees up storage on the gaming PC and allows gamers to access their games from any device, as long as they are connected to the internet.
For gamers who prefer to keep all of their games locally on their gaming PC, it’s still important to factor in the additional storage requirements of game providers when calculating the total amount of storage needed for their gaming PC.
AAA Titles
Given the sheer scale of modern AAA titles, their storage requirements can be staggering. AAA titles often require upward of 50GB or more of storage, depending on the game. On top of that, they also require more processing power and higher-end graphics cards than less graphically-intense games.
Because of this, many gamers opt for a dedicated storage drive for their AAA titles. This allows them to keep their more graphically-intensive games on their own drive, freeing up space on the main storage drive for more casual games. This also allows for faster loading times for the more graphically intense games, as their files are stored on a faster drive.
It’s also important to keep in mind that AAA titles often come with pre-order bonuses, such as additional content and game updates. These additional files can take up significant amounts of storage, so it’s important to factor these into the total space required.
Of course, each game is different, and some may require significantly more storage than others. That’s why it’s important to read the technical specifications for each game that a gamer plans to buy, and make sure they have adequate storage to accommodate it.
Future Requirements
It’s also important to keep in mind that gaming is constantly evolving and the storage needs of today’s gamers may not be the same as those of tomorrow. As more technology is developed and gaming becomes increasingly more advanced, the hardware requirements for gaming PCs also increase.
For example, upcoming games may require more storage, faster processing power, and larger RAM sizes. That’s why it’s important to think ahead and choose a gaming PC with the capability of handling all future requirements.
It’s also important to consider future updates, as many modern games often require additional storage for bug fixes and downloadable content. These patches may have their own storage requirements, so it’s important to factor that in when calculating the total amount of storage needed.
Finally, consider how long a gaming PC is going to be used. If a gamer plans on using their gaming PC for a number of years, they should ensure they choose one that is capable of handling any future developments in gaming technology.
