What drive for my game library?

[PC-Noobist]

I have a fairly large game library and plan to have a much larger one aha, i have an existing 120GB SSD for the OS, i have a 1TB 7200RPM HDD for media like music, movies, photos, work stuff, i have a 2TB HDD recording drive, im just wondering if i should get a 256GB SSD or a 1TB SSHD for my games library, is either one worth it? Help would be appreciated.

 

[barnsley]

SSD. I run only SSDs in my main rig and I can't look back (for games anyway)

 

[Kushiro]

I would say use the 1TB SSH, as OP mentions that the game library is quite large and when you think about it that 256GB ssd is really only going to be able to hold close 200GB worth of games.

There the difference is not going to be light and day, you will get somewhat better load speeds, however after that, games generally wont see any difference.

 

[MadShadow]

Yeah get a 1TB HDD/SSHD for games. Then store your most played 2-3 games on the SSD for quick load-times.

 

[SuB]

Considering you can get a 512GB SSD for like £160 now.. SSD 100% all the way now.

Hard drives are for long term storage, games do get a boost for texture loading etc these days and that's only going to become more apparent as more games put out their HD texture packs and stuff (Think Shadow of Mordor).

personally I only use mechanical drives for high swap count stuff like torrents now, everything else I use SSD's for. Just more practical, no noise, no heat, less power draw etc etc etc.

 

[MadShadow]

Considering you can get a 512GB SSD for like £160 now.. SSD 100% all the way now.

It depends on your budget, because you could also get a 1TB HDD for 40 quid. Thats double the storage for 4 times less.

 

[barnsley]

It depends on your budget, because you could also get a 1TB HDD for 40 quid. Thats double the storage for 4 times less.

except its much slower and noisier.

 

[MadShadow]

except its much slower and noisier.

Thats true, but you need to consider the pros and cons. Those on a budget can probably survive the noise and heat.

 

[barnsley]

Thats true, but you need to consider the pros and cons. Those on a budget can probably survive the noise and heat.

It'd probably be fine if it was with a lower end rig (i.e. something that can't run games in ultra) as a few games do depend on faster drives now to do a smooth experience on ultra and considering how bad some ports are ending up, I'd be a bit nervous.

 

[MadShadow]

It'd probably be fine if it was with a lower end rig (i.e. something that can't run games in ultra) as a few games do depend on faster drives now to do a smooth experience on ultra and considering how bad some ports are ending up, I'd be a bit nervous.

Yeah thats fair enough

 

[barnsley]

Yeah thats fair enough

As you can tell, I got a bit pissy when I was running my games off a 2tb hard drive. Arma 3 was really not happy, despite everything else running it fine on that rig .

 

[MadShadow]

As you can tell, I got a bit pissy when I was running my games off a 2tb hard drive. Arma 3 was really not happy, despite everything else running it fine on that rig .

Was it just load times that were bad or also framerate/stuttering?

 

[barnsley]

Was it just load times that were bad or also framerate/stuttering?

load times and stuttering that was due to the textures not loading fast enough (you could see the textures loading in!). It wasn't an issue when it was on the ssd.

 

[MadShadow]

load times and stuttering that was due to the textures not loading fast enough (you could see the textures loading in!). It wasn't an issue when it was on the ssd.

Thats interesting. I guess it won't affect many games, but for those that it does an SSD is probably worth it.

Textures loading in is meant to be a console peasant problem

 

[SuB]

If you're on a budget then this isn't necessarily a question you should be asking really.

Texture loading is in all games it's just how fast they do it, and how much they take out of the buffers when you turn back around etc..

Honestly though, if you have the option for even a 240GB SSD, take it. HDD's are ten a penny, but you will very quickly take an SSD for granted my friend.

 

[Greenback]

Even an 500GB wouldn't take all my steam games I'd need a 1TB for all my games and that's not allowing a lot of room for new games to be added

 

[Dark NighT]

I use a 2 tb wd black for most games, and i put the really long loading stuff or games that keep loading while ingame on the ssd just to minimize noise.