I built my PC last year, initially using an old 250GB SSD until I could get more storage. I ended up purchasing a WD 2TB Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD in December, but now I have an older rig that I'd like to set up as a living room gaming emulator and movie machine, and I'm in need of more storage. HDDs are generally cheaper than SSDs, but I notice most build recommendations seem to skip HDDs altogether. I get that SSDs have their advantages, but if I'm not really hardcore gaming or running heavy processes, is there any downside to choosing an HDD for larger scale storage, particularly for the older PC? I plan to keep the old SSD for the OS and use the new SSD in my main rig. Any suggestions for good HDDs?
4 Answers
If you're focusing on older games, like those from the PS4 era and back, HDDs will definitely do the job. But for anything newer or your OS, stick with an SSD. For your needs, it looks like an HDD could work perfectly. Brands like Seagate and WD will serve you well.
I’d say use that 250GB SSD for your OS and any necessary software to keep loading speeds quick, and then opt for an HDD to store your movies and ROMs. WD HDDs are solid; I’ve had better experiences with them compared to Seagate. Just ensure you get one with a speed of 7200 RPM or higher.
SSDs are undoubtedly faster, but if you're looking at 10TB or more, HDDs become the reasonable choice. I use my HDDs for storing pictures and backups since they're generally less expensive. Just pick a reliable model if you go this route.
I share your concerns about prices not dropping any time soon. It's been a rough ride waiting for better deals.
HDDs are totally fine for bulk storage but can be slow for OS, apps, or games. If you're going for cost-effectiveness, an 8TB HDD for around $200 is a pretty good deal to consider. Just remember that smaller capacities might not give you the best value per TB, so aim for at least 8TB if you're serious about storage. You can find options like the WD Blue 8TB that are reliable for this kind of use.
Is it worth spending extra on the Black series for my main PC? I think a Blue would nail it for the older setup.
It really depends on how much you actually need. If you're not overflowing with data, stick to the basics.
Perfect! I'm just running casual stuff on the living room PC, so I won't break the bank for an SSD. Thanks for clearing that up!