How much storage needed for a gaming PC?
21st November, 2023 | Home / Blog / Gaming broadband / How much storage needed for a gaming PC?Reading time: 2 minutes
What is the minimum storage space I need for a gaming PC?
You need a minimum of 500GB of storage space for a gaming PC. This will allow you to install a few games and some other applications. But if you plan on installing a large library of games or other resource-intensive applications, you will need more capacity.
What are the different types of gaming PC storage?
There are two types, solid state drive (SSD) and hard disk space (HDD). Let’s look at both.
| Storage drive type | Use case | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid state drive | Games, operating systems | Fastest performance, quickest loading times, reduced stuttering | More expensive per gigabyte of storage |
| Hard disk space | Media files, documents, other infrequently accessed data | More affordable per gigabyte of storage | Slower access times, more prone to stuttering |
Storage recommendations based on gaming habits
You might need different levels of storage depending on how much you game and how many installations you make.
| Gamer type | Storage needs | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional gamer | 500GB to 1TB | Installs a few games, plays casually, and doesn't mind uninstalling games. |
| Moderate gamer | 1TB to 2TB | Installs a moderate number of games, plays more regularly, and keeps multiple games installed. |
| Enthusiast gamer | 2TB to 4TB or more | Maintains a large game collection and doesn't want to uninstall games. |
| Professional gamer | 4TB or more | Demands the highest performance and storage capacity. |
How can I manage my storage space on a gaming PC?
- Uninstall games that you no longer play.
- Move old files to a cloud storage service.
- Delete unnecessary files.
- Use compression software to reduce the size of files.
- Upgrade your storage drive if you need more space.
Does game size and type affect how much storage space you’ll need?
Yes, it does. If you plan on installing and playing a large library of games, you will need more storage space.
| Game type | Storage Requirement | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AAA games | 50GB to 200GB or more | Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
| Indie games | Typically smaller than 50GB | Stardew Valley, Celeste, Hollow Knight |
Factoring in operating system and applications
In addition to game storage, you’ll also need to consider the size of your operating system and other applications.
- Operating system: The Windows operating system typically takes up around 10GB of space, but this can vary depending on the version and installed updates. Other operating systems, such as macOS and Linux, may have different storage requirements.
- Applications: Other applications, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite, can also consume significant amounts of capacity. If you use a lot of resource-intensive applications, you’ll need to factor this into your storage calculations.
Accounting for future growth and expansion
As game sizes continue to increase, it is important to consider future storage needs. Choose a storage capacity that can accommodate your current needs and leave some room for growth.
- Anticipate future game sizes: With graphics becoming more detailed and game worlds becoming more expansive, it’s likely that future games will require even more room.
- Consider future upgrades: If you plan on upgrading your graphics card or other components in the future, this may also increase your storage requirements.
Calling all gamers… you might find these helpful.
Related Articles
Check availability:
