My girlfriend recently received a second-hand PC from a friend, but it's running out of space. It has a single NVMe slot that's occupied with a 500 GB drive, which is insufficient for her games, especially given how large many of them are, like World of Warcraft. We've tried using an external SSD, but it's already failing after just a few months. Currently, the only available ports are six empty 2.5" SATA ports on her ASRock Z590 Steel Legend Wifi 6E motherboard. I'm looking for recommendations on reliable SATA SSDs that can handle gaming and last a few years without performance issues. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
I'd recommend the Crucial MX500. It's one of the most reliable SATA SSDs out there and provides decent speeds for loading games. Honestly, in gaming, most people won't even notice a difference between it and an NVMe when it comes to load times. It's perfect for what you're looking for!
I’ve been gaming on older SATA drives and haven’t had any issues. A lot of games don’t even require an SSD, so I think the MX500 is a great choice!
For gaming, I'd stick with brands like Samsung or WD for 2.5" SSDs. They’re reliable and will give you solid performance. Look for models like the Samsung 870 EVO or WD Blue. Your girlfriend should be fine using either for her games!
I have the Samsung 870 EVO and it’s been fantastic for gaming. Would definitely recommend it!
Keep in mind that while SATA SSDs like these are great, they can feel slower if you compare them directly to NVMe drives. But for gaming, they should do just fine.
Honestly, don’t overlook 2.5" SATA SSDs! They are still very good for gaming. You might even think about getting 2-4 TB SSDs to really expand her storage. Just make sure it fits well in her case, but these drives work great for games and are generally more affordable.
Totally agree! I’ve got a couple of SATA SSDs for gaming and they perform well. The load times are fast enough for anything she plays.
If you’re looking for more storage for less money, SATA SSDs are a solid choice! You won't need to break the bank for NVMe unless you're really into those benchmarks.
Make sure to check the manual for her motherboard as there might be more options available for NVMe slots than you think. If she does need more storage and is willing to look at those slots, a larger NVMe drive would be easier and faster for most games.
Good point! I believe her motherboard has multiple M.2 slots—worth checking before going for SATA.
Yeah, upgrading to a larger NVMe might be the way to go, especially if you handle the install to ease her setup anxiety.
I've tried both and found that the speed difference in real-game loading is almost negligible. I have several SATA SSDs and they work great for gaming; you won’t stress over load times.