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These are the very worst. This is especially true when you’re playing a game. What’s the good news? It is fixable. Everything is stored on your Solid State Drive (SSD). In this post, I’ll go over what SSDs are and how much storage space you’ll need for a gaming laptop. In addition, various components will improve your gaming experience.
Let’s get this game started.
- Is a solid-state drive (SSD) really that important?
- Let’s begin with the fundamentals.
Data kept on a long-term basis on your computer or laptop is referred to as storage. Unlike RAM, they store data that does not “disappear” when your computer is restarted. This data is stored on a device known as a “boot drive.” This boot disc, also known as a boot drive, is used by your computer to “boot” or start up the machine. The default boot disc in most computers and laptops is either an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).
Hard disc drives have been around for a long time. They’re also less expensive, but they’re also slower. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have a role in this. It’s very new (starting to appear in the late 2000s) and far superior to a hard disc.
Why? Take a look at the benefits they provide:
- There is no noise or vibration.
- Increased loading speeds
- It generates less heat.
It is faster than a hard disc in terms of reading and writing.
In essence, an SSD serves the same purpose as a hard disc. The distinction is that a hard disc stores data via magnetism. It makes use of a revolving disc with a magnetic coating (hence the noise). NAND flash memory chips are used in SSDs. Even if there is no power going through your computer, the data saved on it is preserved. In a nutshell, SSDs perform the same function as HDDs, but better. Consider an SSD drive to be a high-performance hard disc.
Read More: 10 Best Gaming Laptops With Ssd
How Much SSD Do You Need for Gaming?
Most PCs and laptops now have SSD storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
The base option is 128GB SSD discs, which is a fantastic choice if you’re a casual player who just plays one game. However, if you’re a gaming aficionado who regularly plays three Triple-A titles, 128GB SSDs are a poor pick. Instead, go for a 256 or 512 GB drive. Plus, going up a level isn’t that pricey. You can now upgrade to a 256GB hard drive for as low as $10 more.
A 256GB disc will be more than enough for ordinary duties like emailing, browsing the internet, and so on. However, for gaming, at least 512GB or 1TB discs are recommended. Anything less than this may cause problems with your game experience. However, anything more might be excessive. Even though costs have decreased over time, high-capacity SSDs are still expensive especially if you want to construct your own computer.
If you want to perform other things like video editing, Photoshop, and other similar tasks, a larger SSD storage drive may be preferable. To figure out how much storage you’ll need, consider the following factors:
System of Operation (OS)
Because most gamers use Microsoft Windows, you’ll almost certainly receive Windows 10.
Windows 10 will take up between 16 and 20 GB of space. Keep in mind that OS upgrades will be released in the future. This might eat up an additional 10% to 20% of the data storage space. ‘Remind Me Later’ is something we’ve all done. You can use this approach if you’re running out of disc space. However, you won’t be able to avoid software updates indefinitely. If you play many games, they will all need to be updated, which means you’ll have to buy a new version of Windows 10.
If you’re considering downloading a version of Windows that isn’t Windows 10, don’t. This is not a good idea. Older versions of the operating system may take up less disc space. However, there’s a good possibility it won’t work with the games you’re planning to play.
Other Programs
Will you use your PC or laptop for anything other than gaming? If you said yes, think about what other applications or programs you’ll be utilizing. If you’re a student, you might need to download Zoom, Evernote, and other similar apps. Even if you’re simply going to game, you’ll most likely require other tools such as Steam or Discord. You don’t have to know exactly how much storage you’ll need. However, it’s helpful to have a plan so that you may add to it afterward.
Games
The size of PC games is increasing. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, for example, will require at least 230GB. That’s roughly half the capacity of a 500GB SSD. Here’s a short rundown of several popular games, along with their estimated size requirements:
- Alyx – Half-Life – 70GB
- 70GB World of Warcraft
- 100GB Grand Theft Auto V
- 150GB Red Dead Redemption 2
- Final Fantasy XV is a 150GB game.
Nothing is more frustrating than having to eliminate old games to make room for new ones. That is why storage capacity is so important. Also, keep in mind that you’re not just downloading the game. You’ll need to make room for game updates, which will happen from time to time.
Keep in mind that installing an extra disc on a desktop computer is typically a possibility. Most computers enable you to install two hard drives, with others allowing you to install up to ten. However, most laptops and tablets only have one storage capacity. You’ll have to get an external hard drive if you require more data storage.
Other Factors
SSD alone isn’t enough. If you’re thinking about buying a laptop or building a PC desktop, there are a few things to consider.
Configuration of the SSD
A solid-state drive (SSD) is available in three different configurations. The size and configuration of your SSD device are referred to as the “form factor.” This is critical since it will determine whether or not the SSD you’re purchasing will fit into the system.
2.5-inch Solid State Drive
The most typical drive setup is this one. These drives are frequently seen on PC desktops. However, they can also be found on laptops. These drives resemble regular hard discs in appearance (HDD). This sort of SSD will make the switch easier if you have a device that uses an HDD. You just need to change the interface cables on these sorts of SSDs. The reason for this is that these SSDs use the same SATA connections and interfaces (more on this later).
M.2 Solid State Drive
This is the smallest drive configuration available (it looks a bit like a long flash drive). These drives are commonly found in laptops and tablet computers with low storage space. It’s possible that your PC desktop can also handle these discs. Only one SSD slot is available on a laptop. Some desktop motherboards provide space for two or more hard drives. SATA and PCIe are both compatible with M.2 drives. An M.2 slot is used to connect these drives.
SSD Add-in Card (AIC)
This is a high-performance SSD drive. The read and write speeds of these discs are extremely fast. As a result, they can be significantly quicker than most other drives. You may install an SSD add-in card (AIC) into a PCI Express slot to use these devices. These drives are a bit costly, but they’re well worth it. They can significantly improve the system performance on your PC or laptop.
SATA or PCIe Interface
An interface specifies how data will be sent from the SSD drive to the rest of the computer. It also takes into account communication speed. What is the significance of this for a gamer? because not every interface is compatible with your machine. Alternatively, you may find the correct interface, but it will be sluggish. SSD stands for solid-state drive, and it refers to more than simply storage. However, it also indicates your computer’s capacity, or how quickly it can read and write data. This entails the execution of programmes, films, and games. As a result, a good user interface equals amazing performance.
Serial ATA (SATA)
The most frequent interface is SATA. The dimensions are 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches. This implies it may be used to improve your old platter drive because it’s also found in HDDs. The SATA 3 is the most recent model. This results in a transmission rate of 6 Gbps, which is more than adequate for most users. It’s the cheapest interface on the market right now. The cost of admission is $50. It’s also available in capacities of up to 4 TB.
PCI Express (PCIe)
SATA interfaces are substantially slower than PCIe. It has a 16 Gbps transmission rate. The NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) specification can be used with PCIe connections. A PCIe bus is connected to an NVMe. NVMe provides faster speeds and other performance advantages. A PCIe interface will not fit in the physical area that the previous HDDs occupied. As a result, you must manually insert it into the motherboard slot interface. A motherboard is the computer’s backbone, holding all of its components.
A PCIe interface has drawbacks as well. It’s only available in 2TB increments and costs extra. The NVMe standard consumes a lot of power and can be rather expensive.
CPU
Consider the CPU (Central Processing Unit) to be the computer’s brain. In a nutshell, it’s the most crucial factor to consider. Large storage discs will be useless without a powerful CPU. The major players are Intel and AMD. An in-depth comparison of each one may be found in this article. The Core CPUs are the most popular for Intel. I recommend at least an Intel Core i7 processor for gaming laptops. If at all feasible, choose the Core i9. Both CPUs are capable of handling demanding activities like gaming, multitasking, and graphic processing. In terms of generation, the majority of PC desktops and laptops will be in the 7th or 8th generation. For most players, this is sufficient.
If your games require a lot of graphics, though, a 9th or 10th generation is a good choice. It will, however, be more expensive, so keep that in mind. AMD has Ryzen 3, 5, 7, and 9 processors. The number denotes the market they serve. Ryzen 3, for example, is aimed at the general public who does routine chores. For gaming, Ryzen 5 and higher is the way to go. The Athlon Series, AMD’s version of a generation, is also available. The series extends from 1,000 to 5,000. In the same way, the greater the number, the more powerful the processor. Aim for a minimum of 2,000 to 3,000 words, but 5,000 words is ideal.
GPU
Smoother gaming is due to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). It raises the resolution of your screen, resulting in a more sharp and clear view. Isn’t it true that no one wants pixelated characters? Many modern games need a powerful GPU for 3D rendering, high-resolution texture packs, realistic color visuals, and other features. NVIDIA and AMD are two excellent GPU manufacturers. This list of the greatest gamers’ GPU alternatives can be found here.
Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory) is used for short-term data storage and transport. RAM eliminates latency and speeds up loading times. It accesses data more quickly than an SSD, resulting in a better gaming experience. RAM is used by your computer’s CPU and SSD storage. You should purchase at least 8GB of RAM. For a gamer, 16GB is the sweet spot.
Endurance
SSDs are more resistant to damage than HDDs. They do, however, have a finite lifespan. The durability of a drive is measured in TBW (Total Terabytes Written) or DWPD (Disk Write Per Minute) (Drive Writes Per Day). Your entire life expectancy will be determined by your gaming habits. It will “age” quicker the more you use it to read and write data and files. Most SSD discs have a lifespan of 3-5 years.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to gaming, the ideal SSD size is entirely up to you. An excellent range to start with is 512GB to 1TB discs. Don’t forget, though, that there are other aspects to consider. The SSD form format, interface, CPUs, battery life, and memory are all factors to consider. Above all, consider your gaming demands and money to make an informed selection.