Hey everyone! I currently have a 1TB SSD that's my main drive and it's filling up fast. I also have a 500GB SSD for a different operating system, but I'm primarily using the 1TB SSD for gaming and music applications, which require a lot of storage. A good chunk of my SSD is filled with sample libraries and plugins, and I'm running out of space to install more. I'm considering getting a 4TB HDD to offload some games and software, but I'm not sure whether that's the best route. I know SSDs perform better, but I'm okay waiting a bit longer for things to save as the big issue is typically the processor. I usually play management games and some driving sims, where load times aren't as critical. Should I go for the 4TB HDD, or is it worth spending a bit more on an additional SSD? What brands or models should I consider?
3 Answers
I would really recommend getting another SSD. Personally, I wouldn't go back to HDDs for my main setup at this point. If you're close to filling out your 1TB SSD, adding a 2TB SSD is a wise investment. It’s a straightforward upgrade and gives you way more storage without compromising speed.
Honestly, a 4TB SSD is still pretty pricey! A solid option could be to stick with an HDD for everything that doesn't need quick loading times, like older games or large management titles. If you've got a little extra cash, consider upgrading to two 2TB drives instead, or even an 8TB HDD if you can swing it. They tend to be very affordable!
Using an HDD for older or less demanding games is perfectly fine! I went from a 4TB HDD to two 8TB HDDs to store my game collection, but I still keep a couple of SSDs just for the games that really need fast loading. As for brands, once you hit the 4TB range, you'll notice there's a lot of NAS or regular drives like Seagate Barracuda or WD Blue. If you want a bit more speed from your HDD, check out the WD Black—it's definitely a solid option!
Great advice! I'm looking into the WD Black now. Do you think the Seagate Firecuda would be a good choice for performance, or are its reviews too biased? I usually prefer real-world tests over just benchmarks.
Totally agree! I got an 8TB HDD recently and it was a great deal compared to smaller options. Brands like WD and Seagate have great reputations, so you can't go wrong with either.