Can You Put Games on an External Hard Drive? A Gamer’s Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can put games on an external hard drive, and it’s often a fantastic solution for gamers facing storage limitations on their primary drives. However, before you rush out and buy one, there are several factors to consider to ensure optimal performance and a smooth gaming experience. Let’s dive into the world of external storage for gaming, covering everything you need to know to make the right choices.
Understanding the Basics: HDD vs. SSD
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
Traditional HDDs utilize spinning platters and a mechanical arm to read and write data. This makes them more affordable per gigabyte than SSDs, but also significantly slower. While you can store and play games from an external HDD, you might experience longer loading times, occasional stuttering, and reduced overall performance, especially in modern, graphically demanding titles. Many portable HDDs operate at 5200 RPM, which is slower than the 7200 RPM found in most internal drives.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
SSDs use flash memory to store data, offering significantly faster read and write speeds. This translates to quicker loading times, smoother gameplay, and a generally more responsive experience. External SSDs are pricier than HDDs, but the performance boost is often well worth the investment, particularly if you want to minimise the performance gaps experienced playing directly from an external drive.
Performance Considerations
Connection Speed: USB is Key
The type of USB connection your external drive utilizes is critical. While USB 2.0 is far too slow for gaming, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, and USB-C offer much faster data transfer rates. Aim for an external drive that supports at least USB 3.0 or higher to minimize bottlenecks. Although these connections are faster than USB 2.0, they’re still slower than an internal SATA connection.
Impact on Gameplay
While an external SSD can provide a decent gaming experience, it generally won’t match the performance of an internal SSD. Expect somewhat longer loading times and potentially minor stutters, particularly in games that stream assets frequently. However, the difference may be negligible for older or less demanding games. HDDs, on the other hand, can cause a more noticeable impact, especially in modern games, especially when compared to playing from the internal SSD of a modern console or PC.
When is an External Drive a Good Choice?
Expanding Storage Capacity
The primary reason to use an external drive for gaming is to expand your storage capacity. This is particularly useful if you have a console with limited internal storage, or a PC with a relatively small SSD for the operating system and frequently used applications.
Portability
External drives offer the advantage of portability. You can easily move your games between different computers or consoles, making it convenient to play your favourite titles on different devices. Just remember that you’ll likely need to have the game installed on each device.
Backups
External drives are invaluable for creating backups of your game data. Protecting your save files, game installations, and other important data is crucial, and an external drive provides a safe and reliable way to do so. This ensures your progress is safe even if the internal drive malfunctions.
Transferring Games to an External Drive
PC
Transferring games on PC is a breeze. Most platforms like Steam, Origin, and Epic Games Store allow you to designate an external drive as a game installation location. You can then either install new games directly to the external drive or move existing installations to it.
Consoles (Xbox and PlayStation)
Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 (PS5) both support external storage for games, although with some limitations. While you can store PS5 games on an external drive, you need to transfer them back to the console’s internal SSD to play them. Xbox Series S/X can play Xbox One games directly from an external drive, but games optimised for Series S/X need to be stored internally or on a proprietary expansion card for optimal performance. Older non-optimised games can be stored and played directly from the USB drive.
Selecting the Right External Drive
SSD Recommendations
For gaming, an external SSD is highly recommended. Look for models with a USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 connection for optimal speeds. Brands like Samsung, SanDisk, and Crucial are well-regarded for their performance and reliability.
HDD Considerations
If budget is a major constraint, an external HDD can still be a viable option, especially for older games or those that are less demanding on storage performance. Look for a drive with a 7200 RPM speed and a USB 3.0 or higher connection.
Capacity
Consider how many games you plan to store on the external drive. A 1TB or 2TB drive should be sufficient for most gamers, but if you have a large library, you might want to opt for a larger capacity.
Longevity and Reliability
External hard drives, like any storage device, have a lifespan. While SSDs generally last longer than HDDs due to the absence of moving parts, both can fail. Backing up your data regularly is essential. You should replace your external hard drive every 3 to 5 years to avoid data loss. The annualized failure rate (AFR) for hard drives has increased over the last three years.
FAQs about External Hard Drives for Gaming
1. Will my games run slower on an external hard drive?
Yes, generally. USB connections are typically slower than direct SATA connections used by internal drives. An external SSD is the better option for minimizing performance loss compared to an HDD.
2. Can I install Steam games on an external hard drive?
Absolutely! Steam allows you to designate multiple installation locations, including external drives.
3. Is it safe to leave my external hard drive plugged in all the time?
It’s generally safe, but not ideal. Constant use can generate heat, potentially shortening the lifespan of the drive. It’s recommended to disconnect the drive when not in use.
4. Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?
No. You can store PS5 games on an external drive, but you must transfer them back to the internal SSD to play them.
5. Can I play Xbox Series S/X games directly from an external hard drive?
Some games can be played from the external hard drive. Specifically, you can play older Xbox One games directly from the drive, but games optimised for Series S/X need to be stored internally.
6. How long does an external hard drive typically last?
The average lifespan is around 3-5 years, depending on usage and environmental factors.
7. What type of external hard drive is best for gaming?
An external SSD with a USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 connection is the best choice for performance.
8. Can I use a USB flash drive for gaming?
While technically possible for very small games, the performance and storage capacity of USB flash drives are generally inadequate for modern games.
9. What happens if my external hard drive fails?
You’ll lose any data stored on the drive, including your games. Backing up your data regularly is crucial.
10. Does the brand of external hard drive matter?
Yes. Some brands are known for their reliability and performance. Samsung, SanDisk, and Crucial are reputable choices for SSDs.
11. Will using an external hard drive void my console’s warranty?
No, using an external hard drive for storage will not void your console’s warranty.
12. Is it better to install games on an SSD or HDD?
SSDs are far superior for gaming due to their faster speeds and lower latency.
13. Can I run my operating system from an external hard drive?
Yes, but it is not recommended. While technically possible, running your OS from an external drive will significantly impact performance. It is better to run the OS from an internal SSD.
14. Where can I download free PC games?
There are several legitimate platforms for downloading free PC games, including Steam, Origin, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net. Be cautious of unofficial sources, as they may contain malware.
15. How do I move my games to an external hard drive?
The process varies depending on the platform (Steam, Origin, Xbox, Playstation etc). Most platforms have built-in options to move installed games to a different directory which can be an external hard drive.
Conclusion
Using an external hard drive for gaming is a convenient and effective way to expand your storage capacity. While you may experience some performance trade-offs compared to internal drives, especially with HDDs, the benefits of increased storage and portability often outweigh the drawbacks. By choosing the right type of external drive (SSD is highly recommended), considering the connection speed, and implementing a regular backup strategy, you can enjoy a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience without breaking the bank. And while you’re exploring the world of gaming, remember the importance of educational gaming. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org are dedicated to researching and promoting the use of games for learning and development.