Hey everyone! I'm building my first budget PC with parts like a Ryzen 5 5500 and a used 1660 Ti, and I'm wondering if I can get by using my old 1TB HDD until I can afford a 1TB SSD. Will the performance of an HDD negatively impact games like CS2 and Fortnite? My previous setup had a 9500GT and an AMD Phenom II X4 955, so I expect this new build to be a big jump, but I want to make sure I'm not holding myself back with the HDD in the meantime!
4 Answers
While it’s okay to start with an HDD, it’s really not ideal for your operating system and games. You might experience longer loading times and potential frame drops. I suggest saving for at least a decent SSD, even if it's just a 256GB. Modern games benefit so much from SSD speed!
That could work! Just know that you'll have to be patient with load times on those.
You can definitely use the HDD for now! It'll work, but expect slower load times and maybe a bit of stuttering in more demanding games. I used a similar setup on a budget rig, and while it was bearable, switching to SSD made everything feel snappier! I recommend eventually aiming for at least a 500GB SSD for your main drive whenever you can.
Absolutely! It felt like a whole new computer - faster boot times and no more waiting forever to load into games.
Thanks for the info! Did you notice a big difference once you upgraded?
Honestly, using an HDD can really slow down your performance. Games nowadays load much faster with an SSD, and you might even struggle to run newer titles smoothly. If you can, try to save up for at least a 256GB SSD soon! It'll make a big difference compared to your old setup. Plus, some SSDs are pretty affordable right now - I saw a 500GB one for about $30!
That sounds like a decent price! But I've heard SSDs can be more expensive in some areas, so it might be tougher depending on where you live.
True, prices can vary a lot! Just keep an eye out for sales, they come up pretty often.
HDDs are perfectly fine for storing regular files and older games, but for newer titles and your OS, an SSD is a must-have. If your budget is tight, just grab a smaller SSD for your OS and keep using the HDD for everything else until you can upgrade later.
So should I just focus on getting a small SSD now and then a bigger one later?
Exactly! That way, you won’t compromise on speed while you're gaming.
What if I just use the HDD for games that I don't play often?