Does a Gaming PC Need an SSD?

No, a gaming PC doesn't need an SSD to run games. You can use a regular hard drive and your games will still work. But here's the thing: you'll spend a lot more time waiting for games to load.

Think about it this way. When you click "Play" on Red Dead Redemption 2, a hard drive takes about 2 minutes before you're actually in the game. With an SSD, that same game loads in around 38 seconds. That's over a minute saved every single time you start playing.

The speed difference comes down to how these drives work. A hard drive has spinning metal disks inside with a tiny arm that moves around to find your data. That physical movement takes time. An SSD uses memory chips with no moving parts, so it can grab any piece of data almost instantly.

How Much Faster Are SSDs for Gaming?

The difference between a hard drive and an SSD is huge when it comes to loading games. Let's look at what you'll actually notice.

What Changes When You Use an SSD

• Startup times: Games start 3 to 5 times faster than on a hard drive
• Loading new areas: Open-world games load new zones in 5 to 15 seconds instead of 30 to 90 seconds
• Textures: Walls, floors, and character details pop in right away instead of slowly appearing
• Saved games: Loading a save file takes 2 to 5 seconds rather than 15 to 30 seconds

Real Load Times in Popular Games

Here's how long some popular PC games take to load on each type of drive:

Those seconds add up fast. If you play Warzone for a few hours and load into 10 matches, that's almost 11 minutes of extra waiting on a hard drive.

Which Games Benefit Most from an SSD?

Not all games need an SSD the same amount. Some types of games see bigger improvements than others.

Open-World Games

Big games with huge worlds benefit the most from SSD storage. Games like GTA V, Skyrim, and Elden Ring have to load tons of stuff as you explore. With an SSD, you'll notice:

• Smooth exploring: No pause when you enter a new area
• Better looking graphics: Textures load right away instead of slowly popping in
• Quick fast travel: Teleporting across the map takes seconds, not minutes
• Fewer stutters: The game runs smoother because files load faster

Online Multiplayer Games

In online games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or CS2, an SSD helps you load into matches faster. You won't be the last one waiting in the lobby while everyone else is already playing. Game updates also download and install quicker.

Types of SSDs for Gaming PCs

There are two main types of SSDs you'll see when shopping for a gaming computer. Both are way faster than hard drives, but they work a bit differently.

SATA SSDs

SATA SSDs are the more affordable option. They plug in the same way as a regular hard drive and work with pretty much any computer. Here's what to know:

• Speed: About 550 MB/s, which is roughly 3 to 4 times faster than a hard drive
• Price: Usually $40 to $60 for a 500GB drive
• Works with: Almost every computer with a SATA port
• Best for: Budget gaming builds and older PCs

NVMe SSDs

NVMe SSDs are the faster, newer type. They're small sticks that plug right into your motherboard. Most gaming PCs built in the last few years use these.

• Speed: 3,500 MB/s or more, which is about 6 times faster than SATA SSDs
• Price: Usually $60 to $100 for a 1TB drive
• Works with: Most motherboards made after 2015 with an M.2 slot
• Best for: New gaming builds and anyone who wants the fastest loading

Want to see exact speed differences? Check out our storage speed comparison tool.

How Much SSD Storage Do You Need?

Modern games are big. Really big. A single game can take up anywhere from 50GB to over 150GB of space. So you'll want to think about how many games you like to keep installed at once.

Picking the Right Size

Here's a simple guide based on how you play:

How Much Space Games Actually Take

Game file sizes vary a lot depending on the type of game:

• Big AAA titles: 50 to 150GB each (Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption 2)
• Smaller indie games: 1 to 10GB each (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley)
• Free-to-play games: 20 to 80GB each (Fortnite, Apex Legends)
• Windows itself: About 25 to 40GB

Saving Money on SSD Storage

SSDs cost more per gigabyte than hard drives. But there are smart ways to get the speed benefits without breaking the bank.

Use Both an SSD and a Hard Drive

A lot of gamers use a small SSD for their main games and a bigger hard drive for everything else. This gives you the best of both worlds.

• SSD for active games: Keep Windows and the games you play right now on the SSD
• Hard drive for storage: Put finished games, screenshots, and videos on the hard drive
• Move games when needed: Steam and other launchers make it easy to move games between drives
• Save a lot of money: You get most of the SSD speed boost for way less cost

Start Small and Upgrade Later

Other Reasons SSDs Help Your Gaming PC

Loading games faster is the main reason to get an SSD, but there are other nice bonuses too.

Your Whole Computer Feels Faster

An SSD speeds up everything on your PC, not just games:

• Quick startup: Your computer turns on and is ready to use in 10 to 15 seconds instead of a minute or more
• Switching between apps: Alt-tab between your game and Discord or a browser without waiting
• Updates run faster: Game patches and Windows updates install quicker
• Streaming and recording: If you stream on Twitch or record gameplay, an SSD helps your software run smoother
• Less power use: SSDs use less electricity than hard drives, which means lower power bills and less heat

Getting Ready for Future Games

When a Hard Drive Is Still Okay

Hard drives aren't totally useless for gaming. There are times when they still make sense:

• Older games: Games from 10+ years ago are small and load fast on any drive
• Slow-paced games: Turn-based games, puzzle games, and visual novels don't need fast loading
• Games you rarely play: Keep your "maybe someday" games on a hard drive and move them to your SSD when you want to play
• Really tight budget: If money is very tight, a hard drive lets you store more games for less money

So, Should You Get an SSD for Gaming?

For most people building or buying a gaming PC today, an SSD is worth it. Here's a quick way to decide:

The bottom line? A gaming PC doesn't need an SSD, but it's hard to recommend building one without at least a small SSD today. The price difference between hard drives and SSDs has shrunk so much that the speed boost is worth it for almost everyone.

If you're on a tight budget, start with a 500GB SSD for your operating system and favorite games. Add a hard drive for extra storage. As SSD prices keep falling, you can always upgrade to more SSD storage later.