How long does it take to move games from external storage?

How Long Does It Take to Move Games from External Storage?

When it comes to moving games from external storage to a different location, whether it’s from an external hard drive to an internal solid-state drive (SSD) or vice versa, it’s essential to know how long the process takes. In this article, we’ll explore the time it takes to move games from external storage and offer some valuable insights to make the process smoother.

Different Drives, Different Speeds

The first thing to consider is that different drives have different speeds, which can significantly affect the transfer time. While older drives may take significantly longer to transfer data, newer drives with faster reading and writing speeds can handle the task much more quickly. For example, USB 3.0 hard drives may take around 30-45 minutes to transfer a game from external storage to internal SSD, while newer USB-C drives with faster speeds may complete the task in a mere 15-30 minutes.

Effects of Game Size

Game size is another crucial factor to consider when transferring data from external storage. More recent AAA games, like Ghost of Tsushima or Horizon Forbidden West, which can range from 60-100 GB or more in size, can take significantly longer to transfer. In contrast, older games or smaller indie titles may transfer much faster, potentially taking only 15-30 minutes. Here’s a rough breakdown of transfer times based on game size:

Is There a Way to Make it Faster?

To make the transfer process even faster, consider the following tips:

• Prioritize your games: Consider which games are most essential to you and transfer them first. This way, you can get the ones you play most frequently updated faster.
• Transferring in batches: Transfer games in batches instead of all at once to spread out the process. This can help prevent server congestion and make the entire process smoother.
• Choose the right drive: Make sure you’re using the right drive for the job. For example, an SSD is generally faster for transferring data than a hard drive.

What to Expect During the Transfer Process

When transferring games from external storage, you might experience some downtime or fluctuations in performance. Here are a few things to expect:

• Initial slowdown: When you start transferring a game, you may notice a temporary slowdown in performance. This is normal as the game is being verified and transferred.
• Longer transfer times for large games: As mentioned earlier, larger games can take longer to transfer. Expect the transfer process to take several minutes or even an hour or more for particularly large games.
• System updates: If a system update is available for a game, it will be installed during the transfer process. This may require an additional 10-30 minutes of downtime.
• Verification process: Once the transfer is complete, the game will enter a verification process to ensure everything is in order. This can take a few seconds to a minute.

Consequences of Interrupting the Transfer Process

It’s essential to avoid interrupting the transfer process, as it can cause issues with game functionality or even render a game unplayable. If you need to transfer games from external storage to internal SSD, make sure to:

• Close other applications: Close other resource-intensive applications to avoid interrupting the transfer process.
• Avoid restarts: Avoid restarting the system during the transfer process to prevent data corruption and potential issues.
• Keep the system awake: Ensure the system remains awake and active during the transfer process to prevent the power going off or the system shutting down.

How Long Does it Take to Move Games from External Storage?

In conclusion, the time it takes to move games from external storage depends on various factors, such as drive speed, game size, and system settings. While older drives or smaller games may transfer much faster, newer drives with faster speeds and larger game files can take significantly longer. By understanding the potential transfer times and taking precautions during the process, you can ensure a smooth experience when moving games from external storage to internal SSD.

Remember to prioritize your games, transfer in batches, and choose the right drive for the job to speed up the process. Lastly, be patient and keep your system awake during the transfer process to avoid interruptions and potential issues. Happy gaming!