External SSD for games?

[Quelian]

I didn't even know they were a thing until today. But my notebook (Razer Blade Stealth) only has a 128GB SSD built into it, which as you're probably aware doesn't allow you to install more than just a few games at any one time. I'm also unable to add an SSD inside the machine as it's much more difficult to do on this particular notebook than it is many gaming laptops.

So it's possible for me to buy an external SSD to keep my Steam games on there? If so are there any major drawbacks to doing this?

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

The only way you'd be able to do that is by using a Network Area Storage device with an internal SSD drive. SATA, USB, PCIe, and m.2 NVME are all serialized connections, but combining USB with NVME capabilities would be a bottleneck due to the bandwidth limitations USB 3.1 has compared to it. Your best bet is to get a 1 or 2 TB external USB 3.0 HDD because you'll have the same speed as a flash/thumb drive otherwise.

[Quelian]

Thanks for the advice dude - I've taken it on board! Cheers.

If I can just ask pal, is something like this what you meant?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-1TB-USB-3-portable-hard-drive-External-HDD-1000GB/222936727276?epid=1539106689&hash=item33e8107eec:g:WEUAAOSwOMBbNMO4

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by TyleRnatiioN:

Thanks for the advice dude - I've taken it on board! Cheers.

If I can just ask pal, is something like this what you meant?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-1TB-USB-3-portable-hard-drive-External-HDD-1000GB/222936727276?epid=1539106689&hash=item33e8107eec:g:WEUAAOSwOMBbNMO4

Yup, though you can get those on Amazon and even your local office supply stores for the same price. Seeing you're in Europe, I highly recommend using PCPartPicker for funding the best deal on such components.

[Quelian]

Originally posted by The Spoopy Kitteh:

Originally posted by TyleRnatiioN:

Thanks for the advice dude - I've taken it on board! Cheers.

If I can just ask pal, is something like this what you meant?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-1TB-USB-3-portable-hard-drive-External-HDD-1000GB/222936727276?epid=1539106689&hash=item33e8107eec:g:WEUAAOSwOMBbNMO4

Yup, though you can get those on Amazon and even your local office supply stores for the same price. Seeing you're in Europe, I highly recommend using PCPartPicker for funding the best deal on such components.

You're a good 'en.

[upcoast]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182316&cm_re=3.5_hdd_enclosure-_-17-182-316-_-Product

For gaming I'd consider this ^ and install your own 7200rpm HDD into it. (it's an enclosure only)


Ps, I get that you're in the UK but it's just informational.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Difficult to unscrew the laptop and put in a card?
How is this hard?

Also yea don't buy actual external SSDs; just get SATA SSD, they are sealed drives anyways; not exposing any PCB like a HDD would. Then connect using SATA-to-USB3 adapter.

Originally posted by iiTyleR:

Thanks for the advice dude - I've taken it on board! Cheers.

If I can just ask pal, is something like this what you meant?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-1TB-USB-3-portable-hard-drive-External-HDD-1000GB/222936727276?epid=1539106689&hash=item33e8107eec:g:WEUAAOSwOMBbNMO4

Junk; its under "Used / Re-certified" never buy any drives this way. They won't have warranty.

The user is basically reselling a drive that has already been replaced from the maker.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Difficult to unscrew the laptop and put in a card?
How is this hard?

Also yea don't buy actual external SSDs; just get SATA SSD, they are sealed drives anyways; not exposing any PCB like a HDD would. Then connect using SATA-to-USB3 adapter.

Do they even make those adapters without an enclosure though?

Either way, OP is looking to store games. Any USB 3.0 HDD that has 32MB's of Cache or more is sufficient overkill for gaming . Mine has a 16 megabyte cache and it pushes data pretty quick...

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Originally posted by iiTyleR:

Thanks for the advice dude - I've taken it on board! Cheers.

If I can just ask pal, is something like this what you meant?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-1TB-USB-3-portable-hard-drive-External-HDD-1000GB/222936727276?epid=1539106689&hash=item33e8107eec:g:WEUAAOSwOMBbNMO4

Junk; its under "Used / Re-certified" never buy any drives this way. They won't have warranty.

The user is basically reselling a drive that has already been replaced from the maker.

In short, get a brand new one. More reliable.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

SATA SSDs are already sealed; what you need an enclosure for?

Here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=sata+to+usb+3

And 2.5 inch drives are all lower power requirements enough to not need any external power.

Stealth can easily be opened on the bottom and upgraded with a 2nd SSD via the available open M.2 Slot

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

SATA SSDs are already sealed; what you need an enclosure for?

Here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=sata+to+usb+3

And 2.5 inch drives are all lower power requirements enough to not need any external power.

So would the SATA adapter plug into the PC externally?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

omg; yes it's SATA to USB

So any SATA 2.5 inch Drive, to USB 3.x

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

omg; yes it's SATA to USB

Yeah, sorry, I had an image in my head that it would drectly connect to the USB headers on the motherboard. The only real thing about this is bottlenecking. They would get faster read and write speeds off of an external USB3.1 HDD than using a USB to SATA 3.0 (which would bottleneck the setup).

[Bad 💀 Motha]

I don't think u understand; SATA is faster than any USB.
Unless you are going to be using external nvme ssd via usb 3.1
What do you think it is inside the case? Yea its a SATA SSD

Just like most small External HDDs that are usb powered, are cheap SATA 5400rpm standard 2.5in Laptop HDDs

Paying more for External SSD that is USB 3.1 is just wasting money.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

I don't think u understand; SATA is faster than any USB.
Unless you are going to be using external nvme ssd via usb 3.1
What do you think it is inside the case? Yea its a SATA SSD

Just like most small External HDDs that are usb powered, are cheap SATA 5400rpm standard 2.5in Laptop HDDs

Paying more for External SSD that is USB 3.1 is just wasting money.

https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Expansion-Portable-External-STEA2000400/dp/B00TKFEE5S/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_147_lp_t_2/133-5977414-8656532?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TH1WAF183FB8MMBK5NH9&dpID=41DBzF7MdHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

Heck even my 2.5 inch external reaches 7200RPM, mate. Won't really be much of a difference between them.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

it was merely an example. Most folks seem to think buying an external hdd is somehow better? How is it better; it's usually a crappy drive with less warranty.

But yes some external 2.5in HDDs are 5400 and some are 7200 in terms of RPMs.

Overall, external HDDs are not a good idea, they are mechanical with moving parts.

Now this is OK if you intend to leave the drive at home or office and not really be on the go with it much. If you want best read/write speeds, and wont be a problem on the go; due to no moving parts, then SSD all the way. Plus with an internal SSD you could pick one that has a 5 or 10 year warranty also. Like Samsung 860 EVO or PRO

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

it was merely an example. Most folks seem to think buying an external hdd is somehow better? How is it better; it's usually a crappy drive with less warranty.

But yes some external 2.5in HDDs are 5400 and some are 7200 in terms of RPMs.

Overall, external HDDs are not a good idea, they are mechanical with moving parts.

Now this is OK if you intend to leave the drive at home or office and not really be on the go with it much. If you want best read/write speeds, and wont be a problem on the go; due to no moving parts, then SSD all the way. Plus with an internal SSD you could pick one that has a 5 or 10 year warranty also. Like Samsung 860 EVO or PRO

Well cost per gigabyte is way less than an SSD.