External HDD good for running games? :: Hardware and Operating Systems

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Aeronax Dec 21, 2013 @ 7:23am

External HDD good for running games?

Hello

I am needing a new hard drive but I don't have space in my PC to store a second one (I have a mini-ITX PC) If I bought a 2-3TB external hard drive, would my games run slower, load slower, launch slower, etc?

Thank you.

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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments

46 and 2 Dec 21, 2013 @ 7:28am

loading times will be slower though

Aeronax Dec 21, 2013 @ 7:29am

Would they be much slower like an extra 30 seconds?

dywas Dec 21, 2013 @ 9:41am

If you use a USB3.0 or eSata interface you should be okay. If you use USB2.0 it will be significantly slower on reading/writing data because it can't do both at the same time. I wouldn't ever play a game from an external USB2.0 drive or advise anyone to. But each to his own!

Norhams Finest Dec 21, 2013 @ 9:44am

can you post your motherboard/case? Might help find a good solution

Areso Dec 21, 2013 @ 9:48am

Originally posted by Aeronax:
Hello

I am needing a new hard drive but I don't have space in my PC to store a second one (I have a mini-ITX PC) If I bought a 2-3TB external hard drive, would my games run slower, load slower, launch slower, etc?

Thank you.

Only if there are no options to use internal (mSATA, 2.5" SSD/HDD, and so on).
So, if u don't have USB 3.0 connector, it's generally very bad idea, else, you probably can try it, but speed will be signifant lower if compare to internal drive.

Aeronax Dec 21, 2013 @ 11:54am

I have a USB 3.0 port so I should be fine to run it like a normal hard drive? Thanks for all your replies by the way.

Jamebonds1 Dec 21, 2013 @ 12:53pm

If you have USB 3.0, your risk. But if you have eSATA, you should be fine. In my personal reason, I don't recommend full 3 TB drive in Computer subfolder. If you are go for 3 TB, make it 1.5 TB each drive, that is two.