The SSD Struggle is Real: Weighing the Drawbacks for Gamers

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a hardcore gamer and YouTube creator, I need high performance storage to run the latest titles at max settings and edit hours of 4K footage. Solid state drives (SSDs) seem like the ultimate solution, boasting lightning quick speeds. However, while SSDs leave traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in the dust performance-wise, they come with major caveats – namely pricing and questionable data recovery capabilities. Let‘s dive deeper into the two big disadvantages of SSDs for gaming and creative pros.

SSDs Come at a Steep Premium

There‘s no arguing that SSDs are blazing fast compared to HDDs. For example, the Samsung 980 Pro can reach sequential read/write speeds over 5,000/4,000 MB/s respectively via PCIe 4.0. That‘s 5-10 times faster than a SATA SSD! All my games would load instantly. No more waiting minutes for Call of Duty to start.

However, we currently pay a huge premium for that speed in terms of cost per gigabyte. SATA SSDs run around $0.15-0.20 per GB. PCIe 4.0 models are even pricier. On the other hand, HDDs are only ~$0.03 per GB.

Let‘s put this into context. A 2 TB Samsung 870 QVO SATA SSD is around $170. A 2 TB WD Blue HDD costs only $50! As a gamer with a continually expanding Steam library already exceeding 4 TB, it would cost a fortune to transition all my games to SSDs.

In fact, according to Steam‘s hardware survey, the average gaming PC has ~1 TB total storage. Gamers simply can‘t afford to pay $150-200 per TB for SSD capacity. As YouTube creators, we deal with similarly massive raw 4K/8K video files that quickly fill up drives. For me, spending thousands on an all SSD NAS isn‘t feasible yet.

While SSD prices continue falling, they aren‘t projected to reach HDD parity for at least 5 more years. So for now, I‘m stuck relying on slower mechanical drives for my archived game library and bloated Fraps recordings.

The Data Recovery Nightmare

Besides the monetary hit, SSDs also carry a huge risk – irrecoverable data loss. Don‘t get me wrong, HDDs absolutely fail too. But compared to SSD technology, there‘s more warning signs before total failure along with better chances for DIY data recovery.

For instance, you may notice some bad sectors, strange clicking noises, or excessively long load times as a HDD progressively deteriorates. Or only the read/write heads could fail while the platters remain intact. This gives you a chance to clone the drive or extract data before catastrophe.

With SSDs, electrical damage to the NAND flash memory chips instantly leaves data inaccessible with no warning. Even a single faulty cell block can make an entire SSD unresponsive. And because SSD components are so tiny and densely packed, repairs are impossible without an aseptic environment and specialized tools.

Data recovery services can cost thousands of dollars without guarantee of success. So that crucial game recording or 200GB video project you‘ve invested hours into could vanish instantly! Believe me, because I didn‘t heed warnings about SSD reliability years ago and lost precious footage I‘ll never get back.

Technically HDDs have lower annual failure rates (AFR) around 1-2% while SSDs trend closer to 5-7%. However, when an SSD dies, your chances of data recovery are far worse. Always maintain backups, either locally or via cloud storage!

The Verdict? SSD and HDD Together!

Given the massive price premium and data reliability concerns, SSDs alone aren‘t yet optimal for gaming and content creation storage needs. Luckily with modern PC chassis providing abundant drive bays, we can employ SSD and HDD storage in tandem.

Use SATA or PCIe SSDs up to 2 TB for your OS, active games and projects, and scratch disk. These will power through demanding applications and load levels in seconds! For colder data like your Steam vault, raw footage archives, mass file storage, and backups, populate your rig with higher capacity budget HDDs.

I hope SSD costs keep descending and reliability improves to eventually replace HDDs outright. But we aren‘t quite there yet. So installing SSD boot drives then filling remaining bays with HDD mass storage combines the best of both worlds!

How have you adapted your PC storage strategy as a gamer? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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