Discover The Perfect Amount Of Storage For Serious Gamers

Are you in the process of assembling a new gaming PC? Or are you considering purchasing a prebuilt gaming desktop or a gaming laptop but are unsure about how much storage you should get? Keep reading to learn more.

Before diving in, let’s clarify that I’m explicitly discussing solid-state drive (SSD) storage. I wouldn’t advise relying solely on a hard disk drive (HDD) for game storage. While many modern AAA games require an SSD for optimal performance, hard drives can still serve a purpose for gamers.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Not into Triple-A Games? Start with 500GB
A minimum of 500GB of SSD storage is recommended, but this is only suitable if you don’t play AAA titles or are content with having a limited selection of games on your system at any given time.

When you factor in the space taken up by the Windows operating system, essential applications, and personal files on your main drive, you’ll have roughly 450GB available for game storage. If you add a few multiplayer games into the mix, that number can drop to around 300GB or even less—just enough for a couple of major releases.

If you’re okay with managing 300GB of SSD space for games, that’s perfectly acceptable. However, it’s important to recognize that this amount will likely not suffice unless you’re prepared to frequently uninstall and reinstall games to make space for new ones (which you might find necessary even with a larger capacity). It becomes much more manageable if you steer clear of AAA games altogether or prefer older titles that have been out for five years or more.

As an illustration, I haven’t upgraded the 512GB SSD in my ROG Ally yet because I don’t play triple-A games on it; instead, I stream them from my PC. If I were to play those games directly on the ROG Ally, I would have upgraded the SSD within the first week of having it.

If you’ve seen a pre-built gaming desktop or laptop equipped with only a 500GB SSD, it’s likely because manufacturers cut outrage. I strongly recommend upgrading to at least a 1TB SSD as soon as you can to permanently resolve your storage issues.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I Recommend No Less Than 1TB of Storage
For those building their own PCs, I highly recommend a minimum of a 1TB SSD. The price difference is minimal—only about $10 to $20 more than a 500GB drive. You can acquire a top-tier gaming SSD, like the TEAMGROUP MP44L, a fast NVMe option, for approximately $55, effectively addressing your storage challenges from the start.

This choice is far better than settling for a 500GB SSD and then needing to budget for a replacement right away because you filled it up with games within just a week.

A gaming PC displaying multiple Steam games with the Steam logo prominently featured.
Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek | Capix Denan / Shutterstock
A storage capacity of this size is adequate for several triple-A games, a handful of multiplayer titles, plus numerous indie and older games. You’ll still have ample space left for new releases as they come out.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

2TB Is Ideal for Most Gamers
For the typical PC gamer who enjoys both single-player and multiplayer experiences across AAA and indie games, 2TB is the ideal storage capacity. I have a 2TB drive on my computer, and with my unlimited 500Mbps internet plan, I’ve never come close to filling it. I don’t hesitate to remove games I haven’t played in some time since I know I can reinstall them in about an hour.

When it comes to cost per gigabyte, 2TB SSDs offer excellent value. Currently, one of the top options, the WD_BLACK SN850X, costs around $85 for the 1TB model.

WD_BLACK SN850X Overview
The WD_BLACK SN850X ranks among the top-performing PCIe 4.0 SSDs available, and the 2TB variant is an excellent choice for any PC gamer.

With this amount of storage, you can accumulate games for several months without needing to consider deleting any.

4TB or More for Game Collectors
If you prefer to keep all your games installed simultaneously or lack a high-capacity data plan, a 4TB SSD will suit you well.

Even if your focus is solely on AAA titles, a 4TB drive can accommodate approximately 50 significant releases. For those who enjoy a variety of game genres, this storage capacity could allow for 100 or more titles on your system. While that seems unlikely, I welcome any challenges to that notion.

Even if you don’t intend to fill your entire Steam library on your computer, the price of 4TB SSDs has become quite reasonable. If you require ample fast storage for any reason, investing in a 4TB SSD is undoubtedly a wise decision.

—

Acer Predator GM7000: Top Choice for Gaming SSDs
Among the 4TB SSD options, the Acer Predator GM7000 stands out for its exceptional value and performance. It offers impressive speed, a DRAM cache, an attractive price, even off-sale, and ample storage, making it a top recommendation for PC and PS5 gamers needing substantial fast storage.

The TEAMGROUP MP44 is another solid PCIe 4.0 SSD that delivers sufficient performance for gaming and can typically be found for around $240, which equates to approximately $60 per terabyte. The Acer Predator GM7000 also excels as a PCIe 4.0 SSD with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $270, which equates to approximately $67.50 per terabyte.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Do Hard Drives Still Have Value for Gamers?

In my It’smes that you’re actively playing or frequently returning to on a hard drive. Nowadays, NVMe and even SATA SSDs are reasonably priced, making it possible for budget-conscious gamers to have at least 1TB of high-speed storage in their systems.

Many of the latest AAA games tend to lag or experience continuous stuttering when installed on an HDD. This is because these games require constant data streaming from the storage to the RAM, and HDDs simply can’t keep up with the necessary speed for smooth operation.

However, HDDs remain excellent for storing videos, backups, or as a long-term storage solution. They can also serve as a practical temporary storage option for gamers with slow internet connections or data limits.

Platforms like Steam and the Xbox app facilitate the transfer of game files between drives. For instance, you can shift a game from your SSD to your HDD to free up space for another title without needing to uninstall anything. When you’re ready to play the game again, you can quickly move it back to the SSD, allowing for quicker access than re-downloading. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. 

HDDs are also suitable for older games and indie titles that don’t require robust hardware. Nevertheless, I always prefer to have any game I’m currently playing installed on an SSD for significantly faster loading times. For example, Fallout 4 takes a considerable amount of time to load from a hard drive, while it only takes a few seconds on my SSD.

Ultimately, having more storage is beneficial, but a sweet spot for the average PC gamer would be around 2TB of fast SSD storage. This way, you’ll have ample space for new releases without needing to remove infrequently played games to accommodate fresh titles.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Maxthon: Your Reliable Navigator in the Digital Frontier.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, navigating the internet can feel like exploring an expansive, unknown wilderness. In this ever-changing environment, choosing the right web browser becomes essential for a smooth online experience.

Two critical factors stand out when selecting a browser: security and privacy. Our online activities shape our digital identities, so it’s vital to choose a platform that effectively protects them. Among the myriad of options, Maxthon stands out as a trustworthy choice.

Maxthon browser supports Windows 11

Maxthon has built a strong reputation by addressing common user concerns without any cost to them. Its intuitive interface, along with a comprehensive set of features, empowers users to browse the internet with assurance and comfort.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Additionally, Maxthon is fully compatible with Windows 11, ensuring that users can access advanced tools and features designed to enhance their browsing experience. With Maxthon at your side, you can explore the digital frontier with confidence, knowing your safety and privacy are secure.

.