Choosing the best storage for a gaming PC is key to ensuring optimal performance. Contracts and cost effectiveness are also a factor for any potential upgrade. A few important factors to consider when deciding which type of storage is best for your gaming system include speed, size, reliability, and cost. It is also important to understand how different types of drives function and the pros and cons of each.
HDD vs. SSD
The two most popular storage types found in modern PCs are hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). HDDs are more traditional and have been around since the 1950s. An HDD consists of spinning platters that contain your data. The drive heads move up and down relatively quickly to access the data. HDDs are very cheap, but perform significantly slower than SSDs. SDDs are very faster, but a bit more expensive. Optimizing for performance, most gamers opt for a combination of both types of drives.
HDD Performance
HDDs range in performance from 5400 RPM hard drives (slower) to 7200 RPM hard drives (faster). The faster the drive, the faster it will be able to access your data and therefore, the better performance you can expect from your system. Most mid-range systems tend to come with 7200 RPM drives as standard.
SSD Performance
SSDs offer unparalleled performance when it comes to speed, often outperforming their HDD counterparts by up to 10x. This is because the data is stored electronically instead of on spinning platters. However, they are more expensive and the write speeds tend to be slightly slower than the read speeds. SSDs come in two different flavors, SATA and NVMe. SATA SSDs are typically slower than NVMe drives, but they are more affordable.
Capacity
When it comes to storage in a gaming PC, it is important to understand how much space you need. Gamers typically require more storage than a standard machine due to large game install sizes and the need for media storage. HDDs typically come in sizes up to 6 TB but can go up to 8 TB in the more expensive models. In contrast, SSDs can come in sizes up to 2TB in the SATA form and 4 TB in NVMe. Again, the faster drives cost more.
NVMe vs. SATA vs. Hybrid
The main choice most gamers will have to make is between a SATA and an NVMe drive. SATA is an older connection standard, which is slower than NVMe. However, it is more affordable and offers more storage options. NVMe drives use a different connection standard and offer significantly better performance, but they are more expensive. Some motherboards come with an M.2 slot, which is needed to take advantage of NVMe drives. Finally, another option is a hybrid drive, which is a combination of an HDD and an SSD. Hybrid drives are cheaper and offer reasonable performance, however they are generally not as fast as an SSD.
Connections and Installation
Before buying a new drive, make sure that the connection and form factor will work with your system. SATA drives, for example, are the most common. They come in both 2.5″ and 3.5″ form factors and plug into the motherboard’s SATA port. NVMe drives usually come in the M.2 form factor and plug into the motherboard’s M.2 slot. Installation is simple, as all you need to do is take out the old drive, plug the new one in, and copy the data to the new drive.
Reliability
Reliability is an important factor to consider when buying any type of drive. HDDs are generally more reliable than SSDs, but it depends on the brand, model, and type. Read/write cycles for SSDs, for example, are generally lower than those of HDDs and should be taken into account when making the purchase. HDDs are also more prone to failure than SSDs, so backing up your data is advised.
Cost
Cost is often a factor when making a storage upgrade, as HDDs and SSDs are quite expensive. The cost of an HDD will depend on its capacity and speed, while the cost of an SSD will depend on its capacity, speed, and form factor. Performance and cost often go hand in hand, so spending more money on higher end storage can often yield better performance. Ultimately, the right drive for you will depend on your budget and preference.
