My laptop is down to about 5 GB of free space, and the live-service games I play keep getting larger with updates. I've already spent a lot of time removing unnecessary files and clearing out anything I don't need, so deleting more is only a temporary fix. I want to install the games onto additional storage rather than move photos or videos, since I have very little personal media.
I'm considering an external hard drive or external SSD, but I'm not sure which is better for gaming or whether either option will work as simply as plug-and-play. I'd also like to know whether my laptop might support adding or replacing an internal drive, and how to check compatibility before spending money.
My laptop is an HP EliteBook 845 G10 with a Ryzen 7 7840U and Radeon 780M graphics. What would be the most practical and cost-effective storage upgrade?
3 Answers
A portable external hard drive is the cheapest way to get a lot of capacity, but it has moving parts and is noticeably slower. It’s fine for storing files or less demanding games, but an external SSD is a better fit if you’ll be launching large games from it regularly. Whichever option you choose, leave some free space on your laptop’s system drive because Windows and game updates can still need temporary working space.
An external SSD will work for installing and running games as long as you connect it through a reasonably fast USB port. It will be much faster and more responsive than an external hard disk, though usually more expensive per gigabyte. You can format the drive, create a game library on it, and select that location in your game launcher. Most external drives are plug-and-play and do not require special software.
Before buying an external drive, check whether the laptop has an upgradeable internal M.2 NVMe slot or whether its existing SSD can be replaced with a larger one. An internal SSD is usually the cleanest option for games because it is faster, doesn’t need a cable, and won’t be accidentally disconnected while playing. The exact configuration can vary, so check HP’s service manual for the EliteBook 845 G10 or have a repair shop confirm it.
How can I tell what internal drive or slot my specific laptop has, and which replacements would be compatible?