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SOLID STATE DRIVE DESKTOPS PC
Most computers allow you to use both an internal and an external SSD if you need more storage.Ĭonsidering many modern PC games can be hundreds of GBs in size, using an external SSD in addition to the internal SSD or HDD your computer already might be worth considering if you have many games you rotate between playing frequently. In contrast, an internal SSD is usually mounted inside the computer case and attached or connected directly to the motherboard.
SOLID STATE DRIVE DESKTOPS INSTALL
Like hard disk drives, there are both external and internal solid-state drives that you can use for extra storage on your gaming computer.ĭepending on the year and manufacturer of your computer, it might already have an internal SSD if it was made within the last couple of years, as solid-state drives are quickly becoming the norm for gaming PCs and laptops alike.Īlthough it is becoming more common for gaming PCs to have internal SSDs built into them by their manufacturers, you always have the option of purchasing an external SSD if yours lacks one.Įxternal SSDs are portable and smaller than ever, so they are an excellent choice if you don’t feel like opening up your computer to install an internal SSD or taking it to an expert.Įxternal SSDs and internal SSDs are largely functionally the same but are attached or connected slightly differently.Īn external SSD comes in an encapsulated case and can be plugged into a computer’s external IO port and used immediately. Can you use an external SSD for PC gaming? You can also read my other article about whether or not SSDs are worth it, which would offer you a greater technical perspective on the subject.īut before we discuss why an HDD might still be a viable choice for some gamers, we first need to address the differences between internal and external SSDs. However, HDDs still have their proponents, and many people with gaming PCs prefer them to or even use one alongside an SSD in a dual storage setup. Overall, it’s easy to see why gaming enthusiasts today prefer SSDs and why the HDD is slowly becoming obsolete. As a result, using an SSD to store your data is more energy-efficient than using an HDD and can even help lower the cost of your electric bill each month. Even though the power drain isn’t quite as noticeable on a desktop gaming computer as on a gaming laptop, HDDs still use substantial power to access your data. SSDs can quickly access and load these games’ many files without sending your computer’s cooling fans into overdrive as an HDD would. Many modern PC games use up enormous chunks of storage. HDDs’ constant spinning, moving, and vibrating can cause your computer to overheat during lengthy gaming sessions. Instead, the HDD’s drive head has to search around to find parts of the entire file, affecting a large game with many GBs of data. HDDs store data less efficiently than SSDs because, as their storage fills up, they have to break up files into fragments and move them around the disk platter, meaning your data isn’t being stored together in one logical place as it would be on an SSD. SSDs have fewer issues with data fragmentation.However, SSDs can withstand more damage thanks to their sleek yet substantial design. HDDs are incredibly prone to damage from drops and falls since they consist of multiple disks and a flimsy actuator arm that can bump up against each other and corrupt your precious data. Yet another benefit of the solid-state drive’s small size and lack of separate, breakable parts is its durability. They also don’t vibrate as HDDs do for this reason.
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Again, this mostly has to do with the fact that SSDs aren’t made up of multiple mechanical parts that constantly interact. Say goodbye to your hard disk drive’s perpetual spinning and buzzing because solid-state drives are completely silent. HDDs must constantly move and reposition their disks and arm while reading and writing, whereas SSDs have no moving parts and can load files and boot programs almost instantly. Solid-state drives can access your data faster than hard disk drives.
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They also weigh significantly less than hard disk drives, so you won’t add another heavy part to weigh down an already heavy PC tower. SSDs don’t need rotating magnetic disks or a metal arm to shuffle the data around they’re made up of just one small, stationary part. M.2 NVMe SSDs are smaller and perform better than SATA interfaces. Their modern, streamlined design is smaller in physical size than standard hard disk drives at a mere 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). Let’s break down the primary reasons solid-state drives have become so popular over the past decade or more. As we briefly mentioned above, SSDs are quickly becoming more common than HDDs, particularly for gaming PCs.
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