I'm planning to build a new PC, and I'm considering using Linux along with playing some multiplayer games with my friends. Should I go for one high-end SSD for gaming and two mid-tier ones to keep my Windows, Linux, games, and files organized? Or would it be better to have just one Gen 5 SSD for Linux and one Gen 4 for Windows?
5 Answers
Honestly, two decent Gen 4 SSDs should do the trick. I'd skip the Gen 5 unless you're really sure you need that speed. And if possible, maybe keep all your games on a single big SSD that both OSes can access.
A couple of things to think about: some anti-cheat software doesn't work on Linux, which could lead to bans depending on the game developer. I suggest getting two drives—one for Linux and another for Windows. You don't need to splurge on Gen 5; Gen 4 is fast enough unless you're dealing with massive files like videos. Just make sure your hardware plays nice with the Linux version you choose.
What games are you planning to play? Most modern games run pretty well on Linux, but if you're into titles like Rainbow 6 Siege or Call of Duty, keep in mind that their anti-cheat systems might not work on Linux.
Pay attention to your motherboard's PCIe lanes. Some M.2 slots might share lanes with your GPU, which can slow things down, or with SATA connections, which could disable those slots altogether. Definitely consult your motherboard manual for the best setup!
Most modern motherboards can support two NVMe M.2 drives, ideally around 2TB each. You can throw in a third, cheaper SSD for additional storage. Dual-booting is a breeze through the BIOS, and it's definitely best to keep Windows and Linux on separate drives since they can mess with each other's boot processes.
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