The fastest way to add gaming storage is an external SSD plugged into a USB port, but an internal drive upgrade gives you better speed and permanent space

If your PC is running out of room for games, you have two main routes: plug in an external solid-state drive (SSD) that connects via USB, or open your PC and install a new internal drive. External drives are simpler—no tools, no opening the case—but internal drives are faster and don't take up desk space. Which one makes sense depends on how many games you want to store and whether your PC has room inside.

Before you buy anything, check how much free space you actually have left. On Windows, right-click your C: drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and look at the bar showing used versus free space. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then Storage. If you have less than 10 percent of your total drive free, your games will run slower even if they technically fit. You need breathing room.

Key Takeaways

  • External SSDs connected via USB 3.0 or newer are the easiest upgrade and work when ready, but they are slower than internal drives and take up desk space.
  • Internal SSD upgrades require opening your PC case and identifying which slot your motherboard has (M.2 NVMe or SATA), but they are faster and permanent.
  • M.2 NVMe drives are the current standard for new PCs and install directly into a slot on the motherboard without cables.
  • Before buying, check your motherboard manual or use CPU-Z to see which drive types your PC supports and how many slots are available.
  • Most gaming SSDs cost between $50 and $150 depending on capacity, and installation takes 10 to 20 minutes if you are comfortable opening your case.

External SSDs: the no-tools option

An external SSD is a solid-state drive in a protective case that plugs into your PC via USB. You buy it, plug it in, and your PC recognizes it as a new drive when ready—no installation, no opening the case. Games stored on an external drive run fine for most titles, though you may notice slightly longer load times compared to an internal drive.

The catch is speed. A USB 3.0 external SSD reads data at roughly 400 megabytes per second. A modern internal NVMe drive reads at 3,500 to 7,000 megabytes per second. For gaming, that difference means your game worlds load in 2 to 3 seconds instead of 1 second. It is noticeable but not game-breaking. If you play fast-paced games where load times matter—like competitive shooters or racing games—an internal drive is worth the effort. If you play slower-paced games, an external drive is fine.

Look for external SSDs labeled USB 3.1 or USB 3.2, not USB 3.0. Brands like Samsung T5, WD Black P50, and Crucial X8 are common. Capacity ranges from 500 GB to 4 TB. A 1 TB external SSD costs roughly $80 to $120 and holds about 15 to 20 modern games depending on their size.

Internal SSD upgrades: faster and permanent

Installing an internal drive means opening your PC case, locating an empty slot on your motherboard, and sliding the drive in. It sounds intimidating but takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires only a Phillips screwdriver. The payoff is full speed—your games load as fast as your system allows, and the drive becomes part of your PC permanently.

The first step is figuring out what your PC supports. Your motherboard has one or more slots for storage drives. Most modern PCs use M.2 NVMe slots, which are small rectangular slots about the size of a stick of gum. Older PCs may have SATA slots, which are wider and use cables. You need to know which one you have before you buy a drive.

To find out, read and run CPU-Z (free, from cpuid.com). Open the SPD tab, and it will list your current drive and show you what your motherboard supports. Alternatively, look up your motherboard model number—you can find it by opening Device Manager on Windows, expanding System devices, and looking for anything with your motherboard name. Then search "[your motherboard model] manual" and look at the storage section.

M.2 NVMe drives: the current standard

If your PC was built in the last five years, it almost certainly has at least one M.2 NVMe slot. These drives are small, fast, and install without cables. You slide the drive into the slot at a 30-degree angle, then press down and find it with a single screw. Most modern gaming PCs come with one NVMe drive already installed; you are adding a second one to the empty slot next to it.

NVMe drives come in different speeds. Look for drives labeled PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0—these are the fastest and work in any modern motherboard. PCIe 3.0 drives are older and slower but still fine for gaming. Brands like Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850X, and Crucial P5 Plus are reliable. A 1 TB NVMe drive costs $60 to $120 depending on speed and brand.

Before you install, ground yourself by touching a metal part of your case to avoid static electricity damaging the drive. Remove the protective sticker from the back of the drive if there is one. Locate an empty M.2 slot on your motherboard—it will be a thin horizontal slot, usually near the center or bottom of the board. Slide the drive in at an angle, press down, and screw it in place with the small screw provided or already in the slot.

SATA drives: for older PCs

If your PC is older or CPU-Z shows only SATA support, you will need a SATA SSD instead. These are larger than NVMe drives and require two cables—one for power and one for data. They are slower than NVMe but still much faster than a traditional spinning hard drive. A 1 TB SATA SSD costs $40 to $80.

Installation is straightforward: mount the drive in an empty 2.5-inch bay in your case using the brackets provided, connect the power cable from your power supply, and connect the SATA data cable from your motherboard. Your PC will recognize it when ready when you restart. If you are not comfortable with cables, this is where an external drive becomes the easier choice.

Setting up your new drive and moving games

Once your new drive is installed or plugged in, restart your PC. Windows will recognize it automatically. Right-click it in File Explorer and format it as NTFS if it is not already formatted. Give it a name like "Games" so you remember what it is for.

You can now install new games directly to this drive. In Steam, Epic Games, or whatever launcher you use, go to Settings and add the new drive as a library location. Future game downloads will go there by default. If you want to move existing games from your old drive, most launchers have a "move install folder" option in the game settings. This is faster than uninstalling and reinstalling.

Do not move your Windows installation or your main programs to the new drive unless you know what you are doing. Keep Windows and your main software on your original drive. The new drive is for games and large files only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my games run slower on an external SSD than an internal one?

Slightly slower, but usually not enough to notice during gameplay. Load times may be 1 to 2 seconds longer. If you play games where fast loading matters—competitive shooters, racing games—an internal drive is worth it. For single-player games, external is fine.

Can I use both an external SSD and install an internal drive?

Yes. Many people do this: an internal NVMe drive for their main games and an external SSD for overflow or less-demanding titles. Your PC can use both at the same time without any conflict.

What happens if I install a drive and my PC does not recognize it?

Restart your PC first—sometimes it just needs a reboot. If it still does not show up, open Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) and check if the drive appears there. If it does, right-click it and format it. If it does not appear at all, the drive may not be fully seated. Power off, open the case, and reseat the drive by removing it and sliding it back in firmly.

Do I need to install drivers for a new SSD?

No. Windows and Mac recognize SSDs automatically. Some manufacturers provide optional firmware updates to improve performance, but they are not required for the drive to work.

How much storage do modern games actually need?

It varies widely. Smaller games like Hades or Stardew Valley take 1 to 5 GB. Medium games like Elden Ring or Baldur's Gate 3 take 60 to 150 GB. Large games like Call of Duty or Microsoft Flight Simulator can take 100 to 200 GB. If you play a mix, a 1 TB drive holds roughly 15 to 20 games comfortably.