Do PS4 Games Run Better on External Hard Drive?
As gamers, we’re always on the lookout for ways to optimize our gaming experience. One common question is whether games run better on external hard drives or the PS4’s internal hard drive. In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of using an external hard drive with your PS4, and answer the question once and for all.
Does it Matter?
In short, no. According to the PS4’s developer, Sony, external hard drives don’t affect the performance of PS4 games. Games load at the same speed whether they’re stored on an external hard drive or the internal one. But why might you consider using an external hard drive?
Advantages of Using an External Hard Drive
Here are some benefits to consider:
- Expansion Storage: The PS4’s internal hard drive can quickly fill up with games and other content. An external hard drive can provide extra storage space for your games, allowing you to play more without running out of room.
- Organization: External hard drives often come with separate compartments for different types of files, making it easier to organize your games and save data.
- Data Security: If you’re concerned about losing your data in the event of a crash or other disaster, using an external hard drive with backup capabilities can provide added peace of mind.
- Portability: If you have multiple devices that you play games on, an external hard drive can make it easy to switch between them without having to worry about transferring data.
How to Use an External Hard Drive with PS4
Using an external hard drive with your PS4 is relatively simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose an External Hard Drive: Select a USB 3.0-compatible external hard drive with at least 1TB of storage space. External SSDs are generally recommended, as they offer faster load times and more reliability.
- Connect the External Hard Drive: Connect the external hard drive to your PS4 via a USB cable. Your PS4 will recognize the drive and prompt you to format it.
- Format the External Hard Drive: Format the external hard drive using the PS4’s built-in formatting tool. This will ensure that the drive is optimized for use with your PS4.
- Copy Files to the External Hard Drive: Copy your games and save data to the external hard drive using a file transfer program or a streaming service like PlayStation Now.
- Configure your PS4 to use the External Hard Drive: Go to Settings > Devices > External Hard Drive to configure your PS4 to use the external hard drive. You can choose which drive to use as your default storage location.
PS4 External Hard Drive Performance
Here are some real-world examples of PS4 external hard drive performance:
| External Hard Drive Model | Load Time | Load Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Western Digital My Book Duo | 30-40 seconds | 25 MB/s |
| Seagate Backup Plus | 45-60 seconds | 30 MB/s |
| Samsung T5 External SSD | 10-15 seconds | 100 MB/s |
As you can see, external SSDs tend to outperform traditional external hard drives. But even traditional external hard drives can provide a faster and more reliable gaming experience compared to the PS4’s internal hard drive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, PS4 games run at the same speed on both internal and external hard drives. However, external hard drives offer many advantages, including extra storage space, organization, data security, and portability. If you’re considering using an external hard drive with your PS4, choose a USB 3.0-compatible model with at least 1TB of storage space, and format it using the PS4’s built-in formatting tool. For optimal performance, consider using an external SSD.