All Discussions > Steam Forums > Hardware and Operating Systems > Topic Details
VahlokKaal Oct 22, 2017 @ 2:16am
Gaming From External Hard Drive?
Hello! My laptop has low memory storage, and I was hoping I could use my EHD as a actual hard-drive for my computer. Before I came to PC gaming, I bought a EHD which I used for my Xbox One gaming. I’ve reformatted the 5TB hard-drive and now I want to use it for my PC gaming.

The exact hard-drive can be seen here - https://www.bestbuy.com/site/seagate-backup-plus-desktop-5tb-external-usb-3-0-2-0-hard-drive-black/5127069.p?skuId=5127069

My laptop supports USB 3.0 and so does the hard drive.

Should I expect any MAJOR performance drops, or extreme loading times? Or what should I expect out of the change? Currently my laptop has a SDD which the OS is loaded onto and a HDD which I try to keep all my games onto.
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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
VahlokKaal Oct 22, 2017 @ 2:18am 
Basically, what should I expect if I transfer everything over to my EHD? Will there be issues loading games? Can I put things like SWTOR/ESO onto it? Should It run okay? It has its own power source, and box. Never had heating issues with it on my Xbox. Never had any issues with it before with anything. I don’t mind waiting a few extra seconds, maybe a minute or two loading, but I don’t want to be waiting 10+ minutes on a load screen.
#1
𝔇ave Oct 22, 2017 @ 2:20am 
AAA titles will take a hit but everything else you probably won't notice longer load times..
#2
Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Oct 22, 2017 @ 2:26am 
You will have to test this yourself, as we can't give you a straight answer, as not all games work the same way as others when comes to loading, and performance.
#3
LiMpY Oct 22, 2017 @ 6:22am 
I'll give you a straight answer.
It's just like any other harddrive so iIt won't make any difference except in the time it takes to load the game itself and levels. As a matter of fact IF you had a normal pc case (not laptop) you could remove it from the enclosure and mount it inside your computer like any other SATA drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGhnFyBR0WQ

It'll be the same as it was on your Xbox if it was connected via USB3.0.
You can improve slow loads by using a decent defrag program to move problem games to the outside tracks.
#4
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All Discussions > Steam Forums > Hardware and Operating Systems > Topic Details
Date Posted: Oct 22, 2017 @ 2:16am
Posts: 4
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