Do Physical Games Take Up Space on PS4?
The answer to the question Do physical games take up space on PS4? is yes, physical games do take up space on the PS4, but not in the way you might think – the game data itself needs to be installed onto the console’s hard drive, regardless of whether you buy a physical copy or download it, with the physical disc essentially serving as a delivery mechanism for the game. The size of the game, not the format, determines how much storage space it will occupy, with average PS4 games requiring around 40GB of space, meaning you can store around 10-12 games at a time on a standard PS4 console.
Understanding Physical Games and Storage
Physical games for the PS4 come on Blu-Ray discs, which have a maximum capacity of 50GB for dual-layer discs, but the game’s total size can exceed this due to the need for additional downloads to access the full game content, making the physical disc more of a convenience for faster initial installation rather than a space-saving measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Physical Copies of Games Take Up Storage?
Yes, physical copies of games take up storage on your PS4 because the game needs to be installed onto the console’s hard drive, similar to digital games.
2. Do Digital Games Take Up More Space Than Physical Games?
No, digital games and physical games take up the same amount of space on your PS4 since both require installation onto the console.
3. How Much Space Does a Game Take Up on PS4?
An average PS4 game takes up around 40GB of space, allowing for about 10-12 games to be stored at a time on the standard PS4 console.
4. Do PS4 Discs Take Up Less Space?
No, PS4 discs themselves do not take up less space in terms of game data; the installation size is what matters, not the physical medium.
5. How Many GB is PS5 Digital vs Disc?
Both PS5 Digital and disc-based games require the same storage space for the game data, though the PS5 Digital Edition might encourage more digital purchases.
6. What Game on the PS4 Takes Up the Most Space?
Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Destiny 2 are among the largest, with sizes over 175GB and 165GB, respectively, due to their large game worlds and regular updates.
7. How Many Games Can 1TB Hold on PS4?
A 1TB hard drive can store around 25+ games, depending on their sizes, offering ample storage space for a substantial game library.
8. Is it Better to Buy Games Digitally or Discs?
The choice between digital and physical games depends on personal preference; physical copies offer tangibility and potential resale, while digital copies provide convenience and space-saving.
9. Are Physical Games Smaller Than Digital?
No, the size of the game, not the distribution method, determines how much space it takes up; physical Switch games can be an exception due to cartridge limitations, but this does not apply to PS4 games.
10. How Much Space Can a PS4 Disc Hold?
PS4 discs can hold up to 50GB of data for dual-layer discs, but games often require additional downloads, making the disc just the initial installation medium.
11. What Are the Cons of Digital Games?
Cons of digital games include potential loss of access if the game is removed from storefronts, DRM issues, and no resale value.
12. Why Are Physical Copies of Games Cheaper?
Physical copies can be cheaper due to retailers clearing inventory, bulk purchases, and the resale market, which does not apply to digital games.
13. Do I Really Need a 1TB PS4?
A 1TB PS4 offers double the storage of the 500GB model, which can be beneficial for those with large game libraries or who plan to download many games.
14. What Does 1TB Stand for on PS4?
1TB stands for 1 terabyte, a unit of digital information, equivalent to 1000 gigabytes, offering significant storage capacity for games, apps, and other data.
15. Is 2TB Enough to Store Games?
Yes, a 2TB storage drive can be more than enough for gaming, providing space for dozens of games, depending on their sizes, and offering a future-proof solution for growing game libraries.