Free image compression
Free image watermark
Free image edit
Free QR code
Free Image Format ConversionAn external solid-state drive (SSD) connects to your computer via USB, allowing for faster data transfer rates than traditional HDDs. As a high-performance plug-and-play storage device, it can be easily connected and used on any computer. But what is a gaming external SSD, and does it improve gaming performance? In this guide, you'll learn all the essential information about gaming external SSDs, including their definition, whether they're better than HDDs for gaming, and recommended options.
Can I play games on an external SSD?
The answer is yes, you can definitely use an external SSD for gaming. When it comes to fast data transfer speeds, no external storage device can match the excellent performance of an external solid-state drive (SSD). Thanks to its use of flash memory, an SSD can write and read information incredibly quickly, making it particularly suitable for large games and high-definition graphics. It's worth noting that the speed of your external SSD may be limited by the USB port you use to connect it to your computer. For optimal performance, it's recommended to use a USB 3.2 port, which can provide transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps. Keep in mind that some games might not support installation on an external drive. In such cases, you might need to manually install the game on your internal storage first, and then move the game files to the external SSD.
Please provide the English content you wish to translate, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.
Are external SSDs better for gaming than HDDs?
Undoubtedly, different storage devices bring different gaming experiences. So, is an external SSD better for gaming than an HDD? It depends on what factors you prioritize when weighing your options between the two: External SSDs are faster, more durable, portable, and consume less power. On the other hand, HDDs are cheaper, and data recovery might be easier. To help you choose the right storage drive based on your needs and budget, let's discuss their gaming performance:
An external SSD for gaming: Like all SSDs, these use flash memory to store data and have no moving parts, which makes them faster and less prone to latency than hard disk drives (HDDs).
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): HDDs store data on spinning magnetic media, which results in slower read/write speeds and longer access times compared to SSDs, but they have a lower cost per GB of storage.
However, choosing the right external SSD for gaming can still be overwhelming, and a wrong pick can sour your gaming experience. Worry not; in the next section, we'll provide some tested recommendations that will surely come in handy.
Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.
Top 5 Best External SSD for Gaming
Before we get to our picks for the best external SSD for gaming, let's look at what to consider when choosing one.
Common features to consider
- Storage Capacity: External SSDs for gaming come in various models, ranging from 500GB to 2TB. This factor determines how much data you can store.
- Read/Write Speed: Whether SSD or HDD, speed is a crucial consideration, especially when choosing a gaming drive. Fast read/write speeds can significantly reduce game loading times, ensure smooth video playback, and hasten other resource-intensive tasks.
- Price: Needless to say, everyone wants an excellent gaming external SSD at a reasonable price. Generally, the price is closely associated with the SSD's capacity. The larger the drive's capacity, the more expensive it tends to be.
- Data Security: Adequate data security on a gaming external SSD protects its contents from threats like viruses and malware, safeguarding your data from corruption or unauthorized access.
- Durability: Known to be costlier than HDDs, external SSDs are often portable, making them more susceptible to physical damage. Therefore, it's advisable to opt for one that is dust and water-resistant.
But which is more important? Here's what our hardware editors have to say about the key factors to consider when choosing an external SSD for gaming:
- Tool for editing reviews
- In reality, you should prioritize storage capacity, price, and speed. For example, if you need to store many large modern games, a 1TB or 2TB drive might be more suitable for you, as prices for these have dropped with the development of SSD technology. Additionally, a reasonable price range for an external SSD is between $100 and $150. Furthermore, the faster the read and write speeds are (while meeting your price and storage requirements), the better.
Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.
Too many options often overwhelm users, so to save you time and help you choose the right external SSD for gaming, I've compiled a list of the top 5 best external SSDs based on professional testing. Let's check out the list below.
1. WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD (1 TB)
The WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD checks all the right boxes: first, it's compatible with a wide range of devices, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac. Second, it utilizes the fastest USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps interface, enabling read/write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s. Lastly, as a premium SSD tailored for gaming by WD, the WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD ensures smooth gaming experiences, preventing lag or slowdowns on your PC or game console.
Specification Description
- Connectivity: USB 3.2
- Capacity: 500GB
- Price: $199.99
- Speed: Up to 2000Mb/s
- Warranty: 5 years
Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.
Pros
- It can achieve speeds of up to 2 GB/s in bi-directional transfers if the interface is compatible.
- Its metal casing helps dissipate heat from the internal SSD.
- If your computer doesn't have a USB 3.2 SuperSpeed 10Gbps port, you can use USB 3.2 Gen 2 as an alternative.
Cons
- Poor sustained performance: Read and write speeds drop to around 375 MB/s after transferring 30 GB of data.
- It's much more expensive for a SuperSpeed 10Gbps drive.
Why it's great: As a company that specializes in manufacturing top-notch SSDs, Western Digital made one of the best external SSDs for gaming with the WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD. It makes this pick even easier – it's one of the fastest external SSDs around and is reasonably priced. On top of that, it comes with a 5-year warranty, so you can seek assistance from them should anything happen to the SSD.
Buy link: https://amzn.to/3OEfSZ6
Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.
2. Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD (1 TB)
The Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD is a worthy alternative to consider, offering similar performance to the WD Black P50 at a lower price point. Additionally, with compatibility with the SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps interface, it achieves transfer speeds of up to 2GBps. This drive promises to deliver fast, latency-free gaming experiences through an external portable USB-C drive, unleashing impressive performance.
Specification Sheet
- Connectivity: USB 2.0, USB Type C, USB 3.2
- Capacity: 1 TB
- Price: $134.99
- Speed: Up to 2000 Mb/s
- Warranty: 3 years
Please provide the English content you'd like to translate, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.
Pros
- It's the best-looking external SSD out there.
- It features a plug-and-play USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface for effortless functionality and a tidier cable setup.
Cons
- The Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD is not compatible with PS5.
The Seagate FireCuda is a better choice than the Western Digital WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD because it can store twice as much data for a lower price, and it's just as fast. It also has a more attractive design.
Buy link: https://amzn.to/3MW8mHE
Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.
3. Crucial X8 Portable SSD (2 TB)
For the Crucial X8 Portable SSD, its rugged metal casing is a fair compromise. It's not the fastest external solid-state drive on the planet, nor is it the roomiest. But it's plenty fast and capacious enough. Most important, it's attractively priced: The 2TB Crucial X8 Portable SSD goes for $119.99 on Amazon, versus around $380 for a 2TB WD Black P50 Game Drive.
Specification Sheet
- Connectivity: USB 3.2
- Capacity: 2TB
- Price: $119.99
- Speed: Up to 1050Mb/s
- Warranty: 3 years
Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.
Pros
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Android, Linux, PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
- Affordable for external SSDs, with a compact design for easy portability.
- Features a 2GB DRAM cache.
Cons
- Performance may decline when the cache is exhausted.
The Crucial X8 portable solid-state drive (SSD) offers fast read and write speeds along with plenty of storage for its price of $119, making it a great option for those on a budget.
Buy link: https://amzn.to/3OCW8Vy
Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.
4. Samsung T7 Shield (4TB)
It's the largest SSD in today's deals, and one of the most popular external SSDs around, the Samsung T7 Shield has been bumped up to a 4TB option. In addition to that, the Samsung T7 Shield has a silicone casing and an IP65 rating for drop, water, and dust resistance. In terms of raw performance, it offers 1021MB/s sequential read speeds and 896MB/s write speeds, as tested by benchmark tools.
Specification Description
- Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- Capacity: 4TB
- Price: $219.99
- Speed: 1,021MB/s
- Warranty: 3 years
Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.
Pros
- Massive 4TB capacity for building an ultimate game library.
- Fastest 10Gbps transfer speed available.
Cons
- Slight 4K write performance variance in CrystalDiskMark 8 tests.
Why we picked it: The Samsung T7 Shield is your best high-capacity option, with storage capacities up to 4TB, giving you plenty of room for photos, videos, and games.
Buy link: https://amzn.to/3Wxn7DW
Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.
5. Adata Elite SE880 SSD (1 TB) Adata Elite SE880 SSD (1 TB)
The ADATA Elite SE880 SSD lives up to its name because it's incredibly compact: just 2.55 inches long, 1.38 inches wide, and 0.48 inches thick, making it feel more like a tiny USB drive than an external SSD for gaming. It's also incredibly light – a mere 1.1 ounces – so it's not an exaggeration to say you might forget it's in your bag.
Specification Description
- Connectivity: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A
- Capacity: 1 TB
- Price: $131.72
- Speed: Up to 2000 Mb/s
- Warranty: 5 years
Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
- High-speed transfers via the 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface.
Cons
- Sustained write performance significantly drops during extended continuous testing.
Why we picked it: The Adata Elite SE880 SSD is about the size of a soda cracker and isn't the fastest SSD you can buy, but it's the most portable external SSD for gaming, making it easy to bring your games with you wherever you go.
Purchase link: https://amzn.to/3BSVr2L
Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.
After examining the specifications and pros and cons of five gaming SSDs, the following summary from our review team might help you decide which one suits your needs.
- Tool Editor's Pick
- Understanding your needs is key when choosing the right SSD for you. For instance, if price is a deciding factor, then the Crucial X8 Portable SSD will be ideal. If storage capacity is your priority, the Samsung T7 Shield 4TB won't disappoint. Speed is also a significant consideration, so you might want to look into the WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD, Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD, and Adata Elite SE880 SSD. Since external SSDs can be quite an investment, many users want a durable and rugged SSD to protect their purchase. In terms of durability and warranty length, we recommend trying out the Samsung T7 Shield and Crucial X8 Portable SSD.
Conclusions
Alright, here's the translation in American English: This article gave you some basics on external SSDs for gaming. Now you know what a gaming external SSD is all about. We also suggested five popular choices for you to pick from. A good gaming external SSD lets you carry around multiple games without hogging up valuable storage on your computer. Plus, it can act as an external storage hub for stacking tons of files and freeing up space on your rig. So, we hope this piece shed some light on these SSDs and helped you figure out how to choose the right one for yourself.
Translating English to Chinese involves converting English text into the Chinese language. This can be done using manual translation, translation software, or online translation platforms. For example, the phrase "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." would be translated in Chinese as "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Keep in mind, the given Chinese translation is a direct phonetic representation (pinyin) and not the actual Chinese characters, which would be "那只敏捷的棕色狐狸跳过那只懒狗。" (Zhèi zhī mǐn jié de zōng sè hú lí tiào guò nà zhī lǎn gǒu.)