Do I need an optical drive for a gaming PC? The answer is both yes and no. While optical drives aren’t required to play games, they may come in handy if you need to install a game from a physical disc or burn your gaming data to a disc. Let’s look at both sides of the argument to determine when an optical drive may be necessary for a gaming PC.
An optical drive won’t be necessary if you’re downloading all your games from popular digital distribution stores, such as Steam and GOG. Both retailers allow you to purchase, download — and even stream — your favorite gaming titles, eliminating the need to use a physical disc to install a game. Many titles also come with digital copies, which you can download to your gaming PC with ease.
On the other hand, you might still need an optical drive if you’re planning to install games that do not support digital downloads. Physical discs are also the only option if you want to back up your games or if you need to burn a gaming image to a disc.
Optical drives are also beneficial if you’re buying a lot of used titles. Since pre-owned games may lack a usable product key, having an optical drive will allow you to reinstall them with ease if they don’t include a digital copy. There are also some new releases that may only be playable with physical copies.
All in all, an optical drive isn’t a necessity for gaming PCs, but it’s a handy feature to have if you’re planning to install games from physical media. Most modern optical drives come with support for multiple disc formats, allowing you to install games from a variety of sources. But if you’re primarily downloading your games, an optical drive will likely be an unnecessary investment.
Using An Optical Drive For Burning And Backing Up
An optical drive also comes in handy if you’re planning to back up your gaming data or burn gaming images to a disc. Some games may not have built-in cloud or online backup options, which can be incredibly inconvenient and risky if you don’t have a reliable hard drive to store your gaming data.
Optical drives can be useful for backing up your gaming data — whether you’re storing game saves, configuration files or any other type of gaming content — and you’ll find plenty of freeware burning tools to help you get the job done. Many users also prefer to burn gaming images to a disc, which can be a great alternative to digital downloads.
Although burning gaming data to a disc or backing it up to physical media is rarely necessary, it can come in handy if your system experiences data corruption or if you’re installing a game on a system without an internet connection. While cloud backups and digital downloads are great, they’re not the only way to store gaming data.
Using An Optical Drive To Install Games On An Older System
Optical drives can also be beneficial for installing games on older gaming systems. Not all older systems will be able to handle digital downloads and some won’t even be able to install games from a USB drive. In these cases, an optical drive is the only way to install a game.
Optical drives are also preferable for installing games on systems with limited storage space. Even if the system can install a game from a USB drive, the game won’t be playable if the system doesn’t have enough free space to store it. With an optical drive, you won’t have to worry about running out of storage space.
Installing games from a disc is also faster than downloading them, even if the PC has a high-speed internet connection. So if you’re in a rush or if your system can’t download games, an optical drive may be the only option.
Of course, you’ll still need a reliable hard drive if you’re installing games from an optical drive. You’ll have to copy the game’s installation files to a designated storage area and keep an updated copy of the game’s configuration files at all times. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing your game data and having to reinstall the game from a disc.
Handling Game Installations Across Multiple PCs
Optical drives can also be handy for installing games on multiple PCs. Instead of downloading a game multiple times or purchasing separate copies, you can easily install the game on any PC with an optical drive. Of course, you’ll have to abide by the license agreement and make sure that only one PC is using the game at any given time.
Optical drives are also essential if you’re planning to use offline multiplayer options. Installations from a digital download are often limited to one PC and you won’t be able to use the game across multiple PCs. Using an optical drive will allow you to install the game on any PC with a compatible optical drive.
Optical drives are also inexpensive and easy to install. Many modern gaming PCs already come with an integrated optical drive, but if yours doesn’t, it’s a fairly simple upgrade. The entire installation process should take no more than 10 minutes and most optical drives cost less than $20.
Buying Physical Copies Of Games
In some cases, you may be better off buying physical copies of your favorite games. Physical copies are usually cheaper than digital downloads and they’re often printed or burned with a greater degree of attention to detail. Game boxes also make great collector’s items and they’re a great way to start a gaming library.
Physical copies can also be a great way to showcase your love for gaming without having to invest in expensive consoles or powerful gaming PCs. And if you’re planning to buy a lot of titles, many physical stores offer discounts and trade-in programs that can help you save a substantial amount of money.
In the end, whether or not you need an optical drive for a gaming PC depends on your gaming habits and preferences. Having an optical drive is great if you’re planning to buy a lot of physical copies or if you need to store your gaming data on a disc. An optical drive may also be necessary for installing games on an older system or for sharing a game with multiple PCs.
Advantages Of An Optical Drive For A Gaming PC
An optical drive provides a multitude of advantages to a gaming PC, such as a simple way to install a game from a disc, burn gaming data to a disc or back up your gaming data. It can also save you money when buying physical copies of games or when installing games on an older system. Of course, you’ll still need a reliable hard drive to store your gaming data.
Using an optical drive also comes with a few disadvantages, such as the need to keep a game’s license in a safe place and the need for extra storage space for gaming images. But overall, an optical drive can be beneficial for gamers who wish to take advantage of digital distribution, who need to back up their gaming data or who need to install games on multiple PCs.
Disadvantages Of An Optical Drive For A Gaming PC
An optical drive may be necessary for a gaming PC, depending on your gaming habits, but it does come with a few potential disadvantages. Optical drives can be slow and loud and they require extra storage space for game installations. They’re also prone to wear and tear, which can significantly shorten the life of the drive.
Optical drives can also be difficult to maintain and backup, as you’ll have to use a dedicated burning tool to burn games to a disc or back up your gaming data. Moreover, you won’t be able to use your optical drive if you’re installing a game that doesn’t support physical copies.
Still, an optical drive is often a great way to install a game from a disc or save your gaming data to a disc. If you’re primarily downloading your games from digital retailers, however, an optical drive may be an unnecessary investment.
