How much space do games need?
Big new games take 100 to 150 GB each, and updates keep adding more. With Windows and a few apps, a 1 TB drive holds four to six large games. If you keep a big library installed, 2 TB saves you from deleting and downloading again.
NVMe or SATA?
Buy NVMe. It plugs straight into the motherboard, needs no cables and costs about the same as SATA now. Games load a little faster, and new games that stream data from the drive need it. A SATA SSD like the Samsung 870 EVO is still a good choice for an older PC without an M.2 slot.
PCIe 4.0 is the sweet spot. PCIe 5.0 drives are faster on paper, but games barely load quicker, and they run hot and cost more.
Drives worth buying
- Best value: Kingston NV3 1TB (about ₹15,900). Fast enough for every game, at a low price.
- Faster and well proven: Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB (about ₹20,200).
- Big and fast: Samsung 990 PRO 2TB (about ₹42,000) for a large library.
- Older PC without M.2: Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA (about ₹15,500).
Our SSD picks
- Kingston Kingston NV3 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 1 TB · NVMe PCIe 4.0 ≈ ₹15,900 Buy now on Amazon
- Samsung Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe 1 TB · NVMe PCIe 4.0 ≈ ₹20,200 Buy now on Amazon
- Samsung Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 2 TB · NVMe PCIe 4.0 ≈ ₹42,000 Buy now on Amazon
- Samsung Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA SSD 500 GB · SATA SSD ≈ ₹15,500 Buy now on Amazon
FAQ
Is 1 TB enough for gaming?
For most players, yes: Windows plus four to six big games. Keep a large library installed and 2 TB is more comfortable.
Does an SSD increase FPS?
No, frame rate comes from the graphics card and processor. An SSD makes games and levels load faster and removes stutter in games that stream data.
Is PCIe 5.0 worth it for gaming?
Not yet. Load times are almost the same as PCIe 4.0, and 5.0 drives cost more and run hotter.
