Installing games on an external hard drive or SSD is a great way to save space on your computer’s internal storage while still being able to play your favorite games. Whether you’re a PC or console gamer, there are many benefits to using an external drive for your gaming needs.
One of the biggest advantages of installing games on an external hard drive is that it frees up space on your computer’s internal storage. This is important for gamers who have a lot of large games installed on their system. By using an external drive, you can keep your internal storage free for other important files and applications.
Another benefit of using an external hard drive for gaming is that it allows you to easily move your games between different computers or consoles. This is particularly useful for gamers who travel frequently or who have multiple gaming setups at home. With an external drive, you can simply unplug it from one computer or console and plug it into another, without having to worry about reinstalling all of your games.
How Do You Play Games From an External Hard Drive or SSD?
Installing games on an external hard drive or SSD is only the first step in playing games from an external drive. Once you’ve installed your games, you’ll need to connect the drive to your computer or console and set it up to run the games from the external drive.
The process for setting up an external drive to run games will vary depending on whether you’re using a PC or a console. If you’re using a PC, you’ll need to make sure that your computer recognizes the external drive and that the games are properly installed and configured. This may involve setting up a new Steam or other game library on the external drive, and ensuring that your game settings and configurations are saved to the external drive instead of the internal one.
Can You Move Games That Are Already Installed to an External Hard Drive or SSD?
You can move games that are already installed on your computer’s internal storage to an external hard drive or SSD. This can be a great way to free up space on your internal drive without having to uninstall and reinstall your games. The process for moving games to an external drive will depend on the game platform and the specific game you’re trying to move.
For example, if you’re using Steam, you can move games to an external drive by first creating a new Steam library on the external drive. To do this, open Steam and click on the “Steam” menu in the upper left corner of the screen. From there, select “Settings,” then click on the “Downloads” tab. Under “Content Libraries,” click on “Steam Library Folders” and then “Add Library Folder.” Choose a location on your external drive for the new library, and then click “New Folder” to create a new folder for your games. Once the library is set up, you can then right-click on a game in your Steam library and select “Properties,” then click on the “Local Files” tab, and then click “Move Install Folder” to move the game to the new library on your external drive.
What Are the Best External Hard Drives or Rather Solid State Drives For Gaming?
When it comes to installing games on an external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD), choosing the right drive can be important. A good external drive for gaming should offer fast read and write speeds, a large capacity, and reliable performance. Here are some of the best external hard drives or SSDs for gaming:
- Samsung T5: The Samsung T5 is a highly portable external SSD that offers lightning-fast read and write speeds, making it ideal for gaming. With a sleek and durable design, the T5 comes in a range of capacities from 500GB to 2TB, making it a great choice for gamers who need lots of storage.
- Seagate Expansion: The Seagate Expansion is a popular external hard drive that offers fast read and write speeds and a large capacity at an affordable price. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 5TB, the Expansion is a great choice for gamers who need lots of storage without breaking the bank.
- WD Black P50: The WD Black P50 is a high-performance external SSD that offers lightning-fast read and write speeds, making it ideal for gaming. With capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB, the P50 is a great choice for gamers who need fast and reliable performance.
- G-Technology G-Drive: The G-Technology G-Drive is a stylish and durable external hard drive that offers fast read and write speeds and a large capacity. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 18TB, the G-Drive is a great choice for gamers who need lots of storage for their game library.
- LaCie Rugged: The LaCie Rugged is a highly durable external hard drive that offers fast read and write speeds and a large capacity. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 5TB, the Rugged is a great choice for gamers who need a rugged and reliable drive for their gaming needs.
Are There Any Limitations on Which External Hard Drives or SSDs You Can Use?
While it’s possible to install games on an external hard drive or SSD, there are some limitations to consider when choosing a drive. One important limitation to consider is the speed of the drive. If the drive is too slow, games may take a long time to load or may experience lag during gameplay.
Another limitation to consider is compatibility. Some game platforms or consoles may have specific requirements for the type of external drive you can use. For example, the PlayStation 5 only supports certain external drives that meet specific performance and capacity requirements.
Why Would Someone Play From an External Hard Drive or SSD?
There are several reasons why someone might choose to play games from an external hard drive or SSD. One of the main benefits is the additional storage space that an external drive can provide. Many modern games require dozens of gigabytes, or even over 100GB, of storage space. If you have a large game library or limited internal storage space, installing games on an external hard drive can help you keep all of your games in one place.
Another benefit of playing games from an external drive is portability. If you’re someone who travels frequently or wants to take your games with you on the go, an external drive can be a convenient way to store and play your games from any device that supports USB connectivity.
Are There Any Reasons Not to Play Games From an External Hard Drive or SSD?
While there are many benefits to playing games from an external hard drive or SSD, there are also some reasons why you might choose not to use an external drive for gaming.
One potential drawback is the impact on performance. While some external drives can offer fast read and write speeds, there may still be some latency or lag compared to running games from your internal drive. Using an external drive can put additional strain on your CPU and other system resources, which can impact overall system performance.
Another potential issue is compatibility. Some game platforms or consoles may have specific requirements for the type of external drive you can use, and not all drives may be compatible. İnstalling games on an external drive can sometimes cause issues with game updates or patches, particularly if the external drive is not always connected to your system.
FAQs
Does playing games damage HDD?
Playing games itself does not typically cause damage to a hard disk drive (HDD). İnstalling games on an internal HDD can put additional strain on the drive, potentially reducing its lifespan over time. This is because installing and running games involves a lot of read and write operations, which can cause wear and tear on the disk’s moving parts and other components.
Installing games on an internal HDD can sometimes slow down other system processes and applications, leading to reduced overall system performance. This can be true if you have a lot of large games installed on your internal drive, as they can take up a significant amount of space and put additional strain on your system.
Should I get an external HDD or SSD for gaming?
Whether you should get an external HDD or SSD for gaming depends on your specific needs and budget. Both options have their pros and cons when it comes to installing games on an external hard drive.
External HDDs tend to be more affordable and offer higher storage capacities than SSDs. They can be a good choice if you have a lot of games to install and don’t want to spend a lot of money on storage. They are generally slower than SSDs when it comes to read and write speeds, which can impact game load times and performance. HDDs have moving parts, which can be more prone to wear and tear and potential failure.
