As games become more complex and bigger, the demand for storage space has increased significantly. One question that often arises is whether a 256GB SSD is enough for gaming.
256 GB is basically a minimum requirement for gaming today. So, if you are intended to play heavy or multiple games, 256 GB SSD may not be enough. However, it is enough for low graphics intensive and older games.
In this article, we will delve into the factors that determine storage needs for gaming and explore whether a 256GB SSD can meet those requirements or not. Let’s get started below.
How Many GB SSD Is Enough for Gaming?
How many GB SSD is enough for gaming depends on what kind of games you play and what other purposes the storage will be used for.
For example, if your SSD will be used to store the system files, system applications, and other application files including games, then you may need a bigger sized storage for gaming.
Again, if you play a specific game while keeping the system files on the same storage, then 256 GB is sufficient for you. But if you want to play multiple heavy games on your PC, then you’ll need a bigger-sized SSD.
A 128 GB SSD is enough if you’re a casual gamer. But if you’re a heavy gamer, then you need to have 512 GB or 1 TB SSD.
So, how many GB SSD is enough for gaming, basically depends on two factors –
- The size of the games
- The size of the operating system and miscellaneous files.
Let’s identify the efficient-sized SSD for gaming below.
1. Game Sizes and Storage Consumption
The size of modern games is bigger than casual games from the past. AAA-tile games can easily occupy 50GB to 100GB or more of storage space. In this case, a 256GB SSD may seem limited, especially if you plan to have multiple games installed simultaneously.
What’s more, game updates, patches, and downloadable content can also contribute to storage consumption. As a result, it will take more space on the SSD than the game size over time. So, you need to keep a minimum of 25% of the total space on your SSD free while storing game files on it.
2. Operating System and Miscellaneous Files
While gaming is the primary focus, remember that an operating system (OS) also resides on your storage drive.
Windows 10, for example, requires at least 20 GB of space to function optimally while Windows 11 is required 64 GB of free space for future upgrades.
Additionally, miscellaneous files, such as drivers, software applications, and personal documents, can further chip away at your available storage space.
How Many Games Can A 256GB SSD Store?
Now, let’s calculate how many games can a 256 GB SSD store. Although it depends on the size of the game that you want to play, we will only give an approximate idea here.
As the operating system will take 20 GB and other miscellaneous files will take 15 GB on average, you’ll only have about 220 GB of usable space remaining on your SSD.
The average file size of the most popular games is around 40 to 50 GB. But this doesn’t mean that you can play 5 games on your 256 GB SSD. These games often exceed 100 GB in size due to in-game downloads, updates, and saved files. This means you can play about 2 to 3 games on a 256 GB SSD.
Pros And Cons Of 256GB SSD On Gaming
A 256 GB SSD has both pros and cons when used for gaming purposes. Here are they:
1. Pros Of 256GB SSD
Here are the advantages of gaming on a 256 GB sized SSD:
- It will take fewer start times.
- The game will load quickly.
- Gaming won’t impact the lifespan much.
2. Cons Of 256GB SSD
Here are the disadvantages of gaming on a 256 GB sized SSD:
- You won’t be able to play more than 3 modern games on it.
- A 256 GB SSD is too expensive than HDD.
- You can get a lower storage capacity than HDD at the same price.
Our Verdict on 256 GB SSD for Gaming
256 GB SSD is sufficient for gaming but isn’t efficient. For example, if you play tiny games like RimWorld, it will only take 200 MB of space on your SSD. But if you play Fallout 4 (30 GB), or GTA V (74 GB), then a 256 GB SSD isn’t enough.
However, it is efficient if you have no problem taking the hassle of uninstalling or reinstalling games on your SSD to free up space. But we’d suggest you get at least a 512 GB SSD for gaming.
However, an SSD isn’t enough to play games fluently if you have a bottleneck in your GPU, CPU, or RAM. Although SSD decreases the load time of games, the gaming performance basically depends on CPU, GPU, and RAM. So, if you have a powerful combination of GPU, CPU, RAM, and other units, then you can use a 256 GB SSD for playing one or two games without any problem.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
How Much SSD Do I Need for Gaming?
For optimal storage capacity, we recommend using an SSD with at least 500GB. A larger capacity means less chance of future upgrades. However, it always depends on your budget.
Is 256GB SSD Enough In 2020?
All apps and standard data fit well on a 256GB SSD. A 256 GB SSD is sufficient for music, documentation, photo, or video editing but insufficient for demanding gaming or video/photo editing.
Conclusion
To put it simply, a 256GB SSD is the minimum requirement for gaming, but may not be enough for heavy or multiple games. We hope you’ve found this guide helpful in determining whether a 256 GB SSD is enough for gaming or not. For further queries regarding this topic, don’t hesitate to ask in our comment section below. Thanks for reading!
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