Best Internal Hard Drive For Gaming (SSD, HDD, 2TB) 2022

Gaming computers require a lot of storage space to store all the large files associated with modern video games. Most new games require at least 50 gigabytes of storage, and some can even require up to 200 gigabytes or more. As a result, an internal hard drive with 1TB or more is essential for any serious gamer. In terms of speed, gamers also need a hard drive to keep up with their demanding systems. A 7200rpm hard drive is typically fast enough for most gaming applications. Still, if you are looking for the absolute fastest possible performance, you may want to consider an SSD (solid-state drive). SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives, but they are also much more expensive. Ultimately, the best internal hard drive for gaming depends on your budget and specific needs.

In high-end games like Counter Strike Global Offensive, those seconds can save you hours if you add the opening time it takes over its lifetime. If your PC takes too much time to load programs and games, kick it off by upgrading its old hard drive to experience real-time gaming action. 

An SSD is very important for gaming enthusiasts as it makes a marginal difference in frames per second (FPS) for most games. An SSD is an alternative to a hard drive, which helps decrease load times. Therefore, until you upgrade to a hard drive (or SSD), it is very difficult to estimate the time it wastes on loading screens and programs. It is very important to note that having multiple hard drives is always recommended for both the quality and security of gaming. 

Our Recommendations: Best Internal Hard Drive For Gaming in 2022

After researching for a long hour and reviewing different products we have finalized the list of Top 5 Best Internal Hard Drive For Gaming.

1. Western Digital 2TB WD Black
2. SAMSUNG SSD 860 EVO 1TB
3. SEAGATE FIRECUDA 2TB SSD
4. BARRACUDA SEAGATE 2TB
5. SEAGATE FIRECUDA 1TB SSD
6. WESTERN DIGITAL 2TB WD

Western Digital 2TB WD Black Performance Internal Hard Drive

The WD Black Performance Internal Hard Drive is one of the best options available for gamers looking for an upgrade. It offers a sizable 2TB storage capacity and excellent performance, thanks to its 7200 RPM spindle speed and 64 MB cache. SATA 6Gb/s compatibility also ensures that it will be able to work with the latest motherboards and devices. Installation is straightforward, and overall it’s an excellent option for anyone in the market for a new hard drive.

Western Digital’s StableTrac and Dynamic Cache Technology increase reliability and optimize performance in hard disk drives. StabiliTrak provides increased rotational vibration tolerance for greater drive stability, while dynamic cache technology optimizes read/write performance by dynamically allocating cache between reading and write operations. As a result, these technologies provide improved reliability and optimized performance for hard disk drives. Western Digital’s StableTrac and Dynamic Cache Technology increase reliability and optimize performance in hard disk drives.

The drive is equipped with a dual-core processor that can deliver excellent load times thanks to its Read/Write speeds of almost 200MBPS. It also features a 64Mb cache, which helps boost the performance and access time for files on your computer and gives you a quick97% faster rotational speed than traditional hard drives!

This hard disk features several protection mechanisms to ensure that your data stays safe. The No Touch Ramp Load technology and Corruptions Protection Technology are just two examples. Still, physically it also includes silica gel on top for extra peace of mind during storage in moist environments!

Western Digital 2TB WD Black Performance Internal Hard Drive Features:

• 2TB storage capacity
• 7200 RPM spindle speed
• 64 MB cache
• SATA 6 Gb/s compatibility
• StabiliTrak and Dynamic Cache Technology for increased reliability and optimized performance
• Dual-core processor for quick file access
• No Touch Ramp Load technology for added data protection

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SAMSUNG SSD 860 EVO 1TB

If you don’t have an M2 slot on PC or you need something more budget-friendly, the Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB will provide you with the best performance and will fit in all standard motherboards available in the market.

Samsung, once again, has taken SSD technology seriously. It is now offering a premier line of SSDs (solid-state drives) as well. If you get away from an M2 slot, you might be confined to SATA speeds. However, SATA speeds are more than enough to provide the space and speed a gaming enthusiast needs. The most recent champion of the Samsung SSD production line is the 860 EVO Pro.

The difference between the hard drive and SSD can be felt immediately when you are playing storage intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 or booting up your operating system. It is very easy for a regular SSD to buff the speed of everything your computer is doing.

It has a clicking speed of 560mbs, which allows it to be super quick at operations. This boots the OS in less than 10 seconds and loads the game REALLY fast. In simple words, this SSD is reliable, quick, and improves your gaming quality a lot. 

Durability is a huge factor in recommending this SSD. The Samsung EVO 860 will last quite a while if maintained well since it comes with a 5-year limited warranty. You know you have made a pretty good investment having a warrantee for half a decade!

SAMSUNG SSD 860 EVO 1TB Features

• Brand Samsung
• Series 860 EVO
• Item Weight 1.8 ounces
• Product Dimensions 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 inches
• Flash Memory Size 1000
• Hard Drive Interface SATA 6 GB/s
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 550 MB
• Manufacturer Samsung Electronics DAV
• ASIN B078DPCY3T
• Date First Available January 22, 2018

SEAGATE FIRECUDA 2TB SOLID STATE

If your budget does not allow you to go with an SSD and HHD separately, you have to check out the combination SSHD from Seagate. Seagate has been one of the top and premium manufacturers of HDDs and other storage solutions for the past decade.

The purpose on which Seagate created the FireCuda model was to focus on budget-minded gamers. Using an 8GB NAND Flash memory portion, this SSHD has a speed five times faster than a regular HDD. However, by providing such a high speed, it still does not sacrifice its space for the trade-off.

The loading time is increased drastically as information is transferred to the Flash memory. It means it would take less time for you to explore your favorite games and download them. What makes this drive different from others is the large capacity of the FireCuda series.

Also, performing faster than a slow 7200 RPM drive, this SSHD can hold up to more than 80- 25GB games. SSD can cost you a fortune for a little extra space. However, SSHD is the perfect comprise in such situations. One of the downsides to both SSHDs and HDD in consoles is that they are more likely to break if moved too often. So a traditional SSD might be a better and safer option for a console. 

SEAGATE FIRECUDA 2TB SOLID STATE Features

• Brand Seagate
• Series FireCuda
• Item model number ST2000LXZ01/LX001
• Hardware Platform PC
• Item Weight 3.39 ounces
• Product Dimensions 3.95 x 2.75 x 0.28 inches
• Flash Memory Size 256
• Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400 RPM
• Manufacturer Seagate Bare Drives
• ASIN B07H2F3741
• Date First Available September 10, 2018

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SEAGATE BARRACUDA 2TB INTERNAL HARD DRIVE

If you are not going with the Western Digital drives for #1, the Seagate drives have almost all similar characteristics at a more economical price. Like Western Digital, Seagate also produces some of the best and well known traditional HDDs.

The only feature which makes this HDD stand out from the pack, though, is the unlimited variety in capacity options. Any hard drive above 4TB is almost unimaginable for a regular gaming enthusiast. However, for those who do heavy video projects, the Barracuda is the best option available at the time. 

You will probably never go for a 12TB hard drive up in the next decade just for gaming. However, if you are a media enthusiast, that’s quite possible. Seagate offers a 3-year warranty for Barracuda 2TB, which is pretty generous for a traditional HDD.

RAID halves the amount of space you have but provides the most effective security system for your data. That is the reason large-scale HDDs are considered the best options for RAID.  

For advanced storage space and performance, we recommend picking up a larger storage HDD and then combining it with an additional SSD for your operating system and some speedy quick load times. The 2TB Barracuda would be more than enough to give you a gaming experience like never before. 

SEAGATE BARRACUDA 2TB INTERNAL HARD DRIVE Features

• Brand Seagate
• Series Barracuda
• Item model number ST2000DM008
• Hardware Platform PC
• Item Weight 14.7 ounces
• Product Dimensions 5.79 x 4 x 0.79 inches
• Flash Memory Size 2
• Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 7200 RPM
• Manufacturer Seagate Bare Drives
• ASIN B07H2RR55Q
• Date First Available September 3, 2018

SEAGATE FIRECUDA 1TB SOLID STATE

To deliver the best performance and high storage memory, Seagate Firecuda combines both solid-state drive (SSD) and hard disk drive (HDD) technologies forming the best duo.

It possesses flash enhanced memory cells, which provides blazing speed and system boot times and loading of programs. With a high capacity of 4TB, Seagate Firecuda allows you to experience the blazing fast speed of an SSD and increased storage space of HDDs of top tiers with a friendly budget. It includes adaptive memory technologies and multi-tier caching for ultra-fast loading of games, programs, and OS.

It helps you customize your build because of its two different sizes of 3.5 and 2.5 inches for better and faster storage. Built with top tier gaming rigs, the Seagate Firecuda lowers the power consumption efficiently without sacrificing its performance.

An important feature it offers is an optional Seagate rescue data recovery plan, which you can buy. The purpose of this plan is to protect your games, programs, and files from corruption due to unauthorized access or hardware failure. 

However, it still does not compete with the performance stats of SSD devices, which are widely considered the new GO TO storage solution for gamers. The only reason for keeping these hard drives in the market is their economical price and value for money. 

SEAGATE FIRECUDA 1TB SOLID STATE Features

• Brand Seagate
• Item model number ST1000LXZ15/LX015
• Hardware Platform Laptop, PC
• Item Weight 3.39 ounces
• Product Dimensions 3.95 x 2.75 x 0.28 inches
• Flash Memory Size 1 TB
• Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400 RPM
• Manufacturer Seagate Bare Drives
• ASIN B07H2549QS

WESTERN DIGITAL 2TB WD BLACK

Western Digital 2TB is the perfect storage solution for any gaming enthusiast coming with an 8TB of storage to save all your games without deleting the old ones. It also allows you to store large multimedia files like photos, videos, music, and programs because with a WD Black. You come back stronger on gaming. 

It manages to deliver high-speed transfer and read rates of your files with impressive cache sizes of up to 256 MB of DRAM on our high-capacity models. This boosts up the performance of the PC and makes it quick over commands.

It offers more reliability than standard HDDs by tracking operations more accurately. To make it fit for every use, the WD Black goes through aggressive internal testing over a longer period of timed Black drive and comes in capacities up to 2TB, allowing you to continue downloading your favorite games without deleting or compromising the previous ones.

The WD Dashboard app helps you customize its performance points for gaming. It enables the dedicated game mode to bring your SSD in top condition to perform like a beast during gameplay. It is also optimized for 4K production, so it works in the same powerful manner as it plays. These bad boys are unappreciated workhorses, and the amount of PCs still equipped with them as secondary storage is shocking. 

WESTERN DIGITAL 2TB WD BLACK Features

• Brand Western Digital
• Series Black
• Item model number WD2003FZEX
• Item Weight 1.65 pounds
• Product Dimensions 5.8 x 4 x 1 inches
• Computer Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
• Flash Memory Size 2 TB
• Hard Drive Rotational Speed 7200 RPM
• Manufacturer Western Digital
• ASIN B00FJRS628
• Is Discontinued by Manufacturer No

Buyers Guide: How To Pick The Best Internal Hard Drive For Gaming?

When it comes to building or upgrading a gaming PC, one of the most important components is the storage. Whether you’re looking for speed, capacity, or a combination of both, there’s an internal hard drive (HDD) out there that’s perfect for your needs. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose?

Here’s everything you need to know about shopping for an internal hard drive for your gaming PC, including the different types of HDDs available and what to look for in terms of performance.

1. What Type of Internal Hard Drive Do You Need?

There are three main types of internal hard drives available on the market: traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and hybrid drives.

• HDDs are the most affordable option and offers the highest capacities, but they’re also the slowest type of storage.
• SSDs, on the other hand, are much faster but tend to be more expensive and offer lower capacities.
• Hybrid drives are a mix of both HDDs and SSDs, offering a good compromise between price and performance.

2. What Capacity Internal Hard Drive Do You Need?

The capacity you need will depend on how you plan to use your storage. If you only intend to use it for storing your operating system and a few small programs, then a smaller drive like a 120GB SSD will suffice. However, if you’re looking to store large games or lots of media files, then you’ll need a larger drive like a 1TB HDD.

3. What’s Your Budget?

Internal hard drives can vary widely in price depending on the type, capacity, and performance levels. Generally speaking, HDDs are the most affordable option while SSDs tend to be the most expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a good quality internal hard drive.

4. What Are The Different Performance Specs To Look For?

When shopping for an internal hard drive, there are a few key performance specs to look for. Firstly, you’ll want to look at the drive’s data transfer rate, which is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). This dictates how fast the drive can read and write data.

Secondly, you’ll want to look at the drive’s seek time. This is the amount of time it takes for the drive to locate a specific piece of data. The lower the seek time, the better.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the drive’s latency. This is the amount of time it takes for the drive to start reading or writing data once it has received a request. Again, lower is better.

5. What Are The Different Form Factors Of Internal Hard Drives?

Internal hard drives come in two main form factors: 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch. The majority of HDDs on the market are 3.5-inch, while most SSDs are 2.5-inch. There’s also a newer form factor called M.2, which is becoming increasingly popular in high-end gaming laptops and PCs.

• 3.5-inch drives are the larger of the two form factors and tend to offer higher capacities. They’re also more affordable per gigabyte of storage than 2.5-inch drives. However, they’re not as widely available as 2.5-inch drives and require a dedicated mounting bay in your PC case.
• 2.5-inch drives are more compact than 3.5-inch drives and can be mounted in a dedicated 2.5-inch drive bay or in a 3.5-inch bay with an adapter. They tend to be more expensive than 3.5-inch drives but offer similar performance levels.
• M.2 drives are the newest form factor on the market and are designed for use in small devices such as laptops and ultra-thin PCs. They’re very compact and offer high data transfer speeds, making them ideal for gaming laptops and PCs that require fast storage.

6. What Are The Different Interface Types Of Internal Hard Drives?

Internal hard drives connect to your motherboard via a data interface. The most common interface types are SATA and NVMe.

• SATA is the most common interface type and has been around for many years. It’s affordable and offers good data transfer speeds, making it a good option for general use.
• NVMe is a newer interface type that offers much faster data transfer speeds than SATA. It’s designed for high-end gaming laptops and PCs that require fast storage. However, it’s also more expensive than SATA.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the Best Internal Hard Drive for Gaming?

• Samsung SSD 860 Evo 1TB Internal Hard Disk
• Seagate Firecuda 2TB Solid State
• Barracuda Seagate 2TB Internal Hard Drive
• Seagate Firecuda 1TB Solid State For Gaming
• Western Digital 2TB Wd Black

Which is Better, HDD, or SSD?

When it comes to performance and loading time, the SSD wins the league, While HDD is less expensive and has a longer lifespan. 

Is HDD Suitable For Gaming?

Yes, of course,  an HDD has enough space to store games. Also, it can easily support the graphics of your game. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry.

Conclusion:

The bottom line is that the best internal hard drive for gaming depends on your needs. If you want the biggest and best, then go with the WD Black. However, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, then go with the Seagate BarraCuda. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either of these options.

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