Is your gaming PC running low on storage? It’s a problem that many gamers face as game file sizes keep growing. From massive open-world titles to the latest downloadable content (DLC) and mods, it doesn’t take long for your hard drive to fill up. And when you’re playing multiple games or planning to install the next big release, it can quickly become a frustrating experience.
The good news is that adding more storage to your computer is easier than you think. Whether you want to speed up load times with an SSD, expand your space with a hard drive, or add an external drive for convenience, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to add more storage to your gaming PC. You’ll learn the pros and cons of different storage options, how to install them, and how to optimize your setup for a smooth gaming experience.
Why You Need More Storage for Gaming
As games grow in size, storage space becomes a major issue for gamers. Modern games can easily use up anywhere from 40GB to 150GB of space, and with frequent updates, downloadable content (DLC), and mods, this can quickly eat up your PC’s storage. This can cause your computer’s storage to fill up quickly.
Bigger Game Files
Open-world games like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Call of Duty are massive, often requiring hundreds of gigabytes of space. With the game’s size increasing every year, there needs to be enough storage to keep up.
Modding and DLCs
Many gamers modify their games or add additional content through DLCs. These add-ons can increase the space required by the game, sometimes doubling or tripling its original size.
Multiple Games
With the rise of digital downloads, gamers are amassing large libraries of games. Without additional storage, space can easily run out if you’re managing multiple titles at once.
Types of Storage Options
When it comes to expanding your PC’s storage for gaming, there are several options to choose from. It may depend on your specific needs, whether you prioritize speed, capacity, or budget, with each type having its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the most common storage types to help you make the best choice.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Pros
- HDDs are the most cost-effective storage solution, offering plenty of space at a low price. If you’re on a budget and need a lot of storage, an HDD is a solid choice.
- HDDs can be up to several terabytes (TB), which can make them ideal for storing a large library of games, videos, or other media files.
Cons
- Compared to SSDs, HDDs are much slower when it comes to read/write speeds. This can lead to longer game loading times, slower boot-ups, and lag in game performance.
- HDDs use mechanical parts.
Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Pros
- SSDs offer significantly faster read/write speeds than HDDs, meaning faster loading times and a more responsive gaming experience. Games will load faster and your system will boot faster.
- SSDs have no moving parts, making them more durable and less likely to fail over time than HDDs.
Cons
- As prices continue to fall, SSDs are still more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs. This makes them a less economical choice if you need large amounts of storage.
- You typically pay a premium for high-capacity SSDs, so if you’re looking for multiple terabytes of storage, it can be expensive.
External Storage (Portable SSD/HDD)
Pros
- External drives are plug-and-play, so you can easily add storage without opening your computer. If you have a laptop or don’t want to mess with the internal hardware.
- You can carry external drives with you and use them on other devices. This is a good option for gamers who want to play their games on more than one system.
Cons
- Depending on the connection type (USB 3.0 vs. USB 3.1), external drives can be slower than internal drives, especially when you’re using an HDD.
- You will need an available USB port and the speed of the drive will be limited by the connection (USB 3.0 is slower than USB 3.1 or USB-C).
M.2 NVMe SSD (Internal)
Pros
- M.2 NVMe SSDs are the fastest storage option. They connect to the motherboard at higher read/write speeds than SATA SSDs, making them perfect for gamers who demand high performance.
- These drives are much smaller than traditional SSDs and HDDs, taking up minimal space in your PC case.
Cons
- M.2 NVMe SSDs are more expensive than SATA SSDs or HDDs, and their faster performance comes at a premium.
- Not all motherboards have M.2 slots, so you’ll need to check your system specifications before choosing this option.
How to Add More Storage
If you’re feeling the pressure of a full hard drive, adding more storage to your PC can improve your gaming experience. The process can vary depending on the type of storage you choose, but it’s generally a manageable task for most PC owners. Below, we’ll break down the steps for adding internal and external storage, as well as upgrading your existing drive.
Adding an HDD or SSD to Your PC
The most common way to expand storage is by adding an additional internal drive. This requires opening your PC case and connecting a new drive to your motherboard. Method:
Step 1: Choose the Right Drive
If you’re going for massive storage, a hard disk drive (HDD) is a cost-effective option. For faster performance, a solid-state drive (SSD) is the way to go. Both types come in different form factors, such as the 2.5″ SSD, which is commonly used for laptops and desktops, and the larger 3.5″ HDD, which is used for most traditional hard drives.
Step 2: Open Your PC Case
Before starting make sure your PC is powered off and unplugged. Open your pc case by removing the side panel.
Step 3: Locate Available Drive Bays
Look for open drive bays or M.2 slots inside your PC. 2.5″ SSDs or 3.5″ HDDs usually slot into dedicated bays, while M.2 SSDs are installed directly on the motherboard.
Step 4: Connect the Drive
Connect the drive with data cable. The data cable goes into the SATA port on the motherboard and the power cable comes from the power supply. If you’re installing an M.2 SSD, gently insert it into the M.2 slot on your motherboard and secure it with a screw. M.2 drives don’t require any cables.
Step 5: Mount the Drive
For 2.5″ SSDs or 3.5″ HDDs, you need to mount the drive in its designated bay. Secure it with screws to ensure it doesn’t move around.
Step 6: Boot Your PC
Power on the PC. Your system should automatically detect the new storage. You may need to format the new drive before you can use it. You can do this through Disk Management on Windows.
Installing an M.2 NVMe SSD (Internal)
If you want the fastest storage for your gaming rig, an M.2 NVMe SSD is the best choice. These drives are smaller, faster, and more efficient than traditional SSDs. However, you need to make sure your motherboard supports M.2 NVMe drives.
Step 1: Check Compatibility
Make sure your motherboard has an available M.2 slot that supports NVMe drives. Check your motherboard manual or look online for specific details.
Step 2: Insert the M.2 SSD
Hold the M.2 SSD at a slight angle and gently insert it into the M.2 slot. Once it’s in place, push the drive flat down and secure it with the screw.
Step 3: Configure in BIOS
After installation, reboot your computer and enter BIOS settings. In most cases the drive will be detected automatically. If not, you may need to enable the M.2 drive in BIOS.
Step 4: Format the Drive
Go to Disk Management and format the new SSD, give it a name and assign it a letter for easy access.
Upgrading Your Current Drive
If your primary drive is at full capacity, upgrading to a larger SSD or HDD is a good option. Here’s how to swap out your old drive for a new one:
Step 1: Choose the New Drive
Choose a drive with faster performance. SSDs are always the best option for gaming as they improve load times and overall system responsiveness.
Step 2: Backup Your Data
Before changing drives, back up your important files or, even better, clone your old drive to the new one. Tools like Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla can help you clone an entire drive so that your OS, apps, and games remain intact.
Step 3: Swap the Drives
After the backup is complete, power down the PC and remove the old drive. Replace it with the new drive using the same steps as when installing additional drives, such as connecting cables, inserting them into the drive bay, etc.
Step 4: Restore Your Data or Reinstall OS
If you cloned the drive, you should be good to go. If not, reinstall your operating system and games on the new drive.
External Storage (Portable SSD/HDD)
External storage is a great option if you don’t want to open up your computer or need a more flexible solution. This is especially useful for gamers who travel or want to store games and media separately from their main PC.
Step 1: Choose an External Drive
Choose an external HDD for larger capacity or an SSD for better performance. External SSDs are faster but typically cost more per gigabyte than HDDs.
Step 2: Connect the Drive to Your PC
Most external drives connect via USB 3.0/3.1 or USB-C, so make sure your computer has the appropriate ports. Simply plug in the external drive and it should appear as a new drive in File Explorer.
Step 3: Format the External Drive
In most cases you will need to format the external storage to use it on your computer. Again this can be done through Disk Management in Windows.
Step 4: Move or Install Games to the External Drive
External drives are great for storing games that you play less often. For example, Steam lets you choose where to install games, so you can move them to your external storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more storage devices to my gaming laptop?
Yes, many gaming laptops allow you to add or replace storage, although the process may be more limited than on a desktop.
What are the main difference between an SSD and an HDD?
The main difference is speed and price. SSDs (Solid-State Drives) are faster, providing faster load times and smoother gameplay, but they are more expensive per GB. HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), on the other hand, offer a lot of storage at a lower price but are slower in terms of data retrieval, which can cause longer load times in games.
Can I use an external hard drive for gaming?
Yes, external hard drives such as SSDs and HDDs can be used for gaming. While external SSDs offer faster speeds and better performance, they can be more expensive. HDDs are cheaper and provide more storage space, but they are slower, which can affect game load times.
Can adding more storage improve my gaming performance?
Adding more storage can basically solve the problem of running out of space, but it won’t directly affect in-game performance like FPS or resolution. However, using an SSD instead of an HDD can improve your overall gaming experience by providing faster load times, smoother transitions, and faster game launches.
How often should I clean up my hard drive?
It’s a good idea to run Disk Cleanup every couple of months to free up space and keep your computer running smoothly. You should also defrag your HDD periodically (not necessary for SSDs). You should also regularly uninstall games you no longer play or move them to an external drive to prevent your internal storage from filling up too quickly.
Conclusion
In today’s world of massive game file sizes and constant updates, running out of storage on your gaming PC can feel like an inevitable problem. As we’ve discussed, adding more storage is easier than you think. Whether you opt for a high-performance SSD and a single, affordable HDD, or even external storage, expanding your PC’s storage can improve both your gaming experience and your PC’s overall performance.
