The Best Internal Hard Drives For Gaming In 2024

Dan Simmons By, Dan Simmons
Updated
Best Internal Hard Drives For Gaming
Best Internal Hard Drives For Gaming

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: WD_BLACK 6TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive HDD

The WD_BLACK 6TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive HDD with a 128 MB Cache, is the perfect storage solution for gamers, system builders, and creative professionals. It features 7200 RPM and a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, allowing for quick and reliable data transfers. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Toshiba X300 4TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive

The Toshiba 4TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive is the perfect storage solution for gamers. Featuring a SATA 6 GB/s interface, 7200 RPM spindle speed, and 256 MB Cache, the X300 offers a reliable performance with fast data transfer speeds and large storage capacity. Read Review

3. Best Capacity: MaxDigitalData 2TB Internal Gaming Hard Drive

The MDD 2TB Internal Gaming Hard Drive is the perfect upgrade for avid gamers. This hard drive offers up to 2TB of storage capacity and features a 128MB cache, plus a 6Gbps interface for improved performance. It is designed specifically for use with the Xbox One X. Read Review

4. Best Technology: HWAYO Internal HDD Hard Drive for Games

The HWAYO Internal HDD Hard Drive is the perfect solution for those who want to enjoy faster game loading and download games, demos, and extra content from Xbox LIVE. It is designed for use with Xbox 360 S Slim consoles and can store up to 500GB of game data. Read Review

5. Best Quality: Toshiba X300 16TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive

The Toshiba 16TB Performance & Gaming Internal Hard Drive is the perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts. Featuring a CMR SATA 6 GB/s 7200 RPM and a 512 MB Cache, it offers superior performance. It is designed to meet the demands of the most intense gaming sessions. Read Review

As a passionate gamer, you know that having the right equipment can make all the difference when it comes to your gaming experience. While most gamers focus on their graphics cards and processors, the importance of a high-performance internal hard drive cannot be overstated. Internal hard drives play a critical role in gaming performance. A high-performance internal hard drive not only enhances your gaming experience but also ensures seamless gameplay with faster loading times and smoother frame rates.

With a plethora of internal hard drives available in the market, choosing the best one for gaming can be a daunting task. In this article, we will dive into the top internal hard drives for gaming, taking into consideration factors such as speed, capacity, and price. Whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, upgrading to one of these hard drives will enhance your gaming performance to the next level. So sit back, grab your controller, and let's explore the best internal hard drives for gaming.

Following extensive study and analysis, We think the best internal hard drives for gaming of 2024 is WD_BLACK 6TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive HDD. It features a 7200 RPM speed and a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, allowing for fast data transfer times. With a 128 MB Cache, it ensures quick data retrieval and access. It is designed to fit into a 3.5" drive bay, making it easy to install and use. However, it is not the only thing on our list. We also show a full buyer's guide and a number of different options are available to help you find the most suitable.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 WD_BLACK 6TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive HDD
Our Score:
9.9
WD_BLACK

An industry-leading 5-year limited warranty | See official Western Digital website for warranty details.

Desktop performance gaming hard drive

Western Digital’s StableTrac and Dynamic Cache Technology increase reliability and optimize performance

TOP Choice #2 Toshiba X300 4TB Gaming Internal Hard Drive
Our Score:
9.7
Toshiba

Massive capacity to accommodate large gaming libraries

Designed for gaming PC and high-end desktop workstations

Toshiba's cache technology to deliver high-level performance in real time

TOP Choice #3 MaxDigitalData 2TB Internal Gaming Hard Drive
Our Score:
9.5
MDD MAXDIGITALDATA

(Tested & Ready to go!) Plug & Play on XBOX One X. Disassembly Game Console Required

NOTE: Replace Game Console Internal HDD will VOID the Manufacturer Warranty (Contact Microsoft if your game console still under warranty for HDD Repair)

2TB Capacity (1.6TB available Games & Apps storage capacity) Store about 25 XBOX Games

Install game discs directly to the hard drive to enjoy faster game loading

Attach an Xbox 360 slim Hard Drive to increase the capacity of your console

Download games, demos, and extra content from Xbox LIVE.

Massive capacity to accommodate large gaming libraries

Ramp loading and drive stabilization technologies for reliability

Toshiba's cache technology to deliver high-level performance in real time

Product 1: Designed for gamers, system builders, and creative professionals.

Product 2: Get into the game fast as you zoom past load times with blazing speeds of up to 5,150MB/s* (1TB and 2TB models). *Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.

Product 2: Equipped with a PCIe Gen4 interface, the WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD helps fuel in-game responsiveness, minimize stutter, and provide smooth streaming for a performance boost you can see and feel. PCIe Gen4 storage technology requires a compatible motherboard. WD_BLACK SN770 is backwards-compatible with PCIe Gen3.

Backed by a 3-year warranty from Reseller

PS3 / PS4 Hard Drive installation & Playstation firmware download instruction included

1TB Capacity, 7mm High, Rotation Speed of 5400RPM

8 MaxDigitalData HDD Internal Gaming Hard Drive
Our Score:
9.0
MDD MAXDIGITALDATA

Professional Opening Pry Tool, Torx T8 Screwdriver, USB Flash Drive w/ Firmware & User Guide included

2 Years Warranty from Reseller

NOTE: Replace Game Console Internal HDD will VOID the Manufacturer Warranty (Contact Microsoft if your game console still under warranty for HDD Repair)

Massive capacity to accommodate large gaming libraries

Ramp loading and drive stabilization technologies for reliability

Designed for gaming PC and high-end desktop workstations

10 MDD 2TB Internal Gaming Hard Drive HDD
Our Score:
8.4
MDD MAXDIGITALDATA

2 Years Warranty from Reseller

Designed ONLY for XBOX One S HDD replcement / upgrade [Pre-Formatted & Firmware installed]. 2TB Capacity (1.6TB available Games & Apps storage capacity) Store about 25 Games

(Tested & Ready to go!) Disassembly Game Console Required

Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best internal hard drives for gaming?

The best internal hard drives for gaming is based upon a number of factors. Studying a product differs depending on the product type. So, we're on here to help, counsel, and provide solutions to these problems.

Please keep in mind the following points for selecting best internal hard drives for gaming:

Reliability

All hard drives eventually die, and there’s no definitive answer on when that day will come. We recommend replacing your backup drives between the third and sixth years of use, if possible. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get metrics on which hard drive models are more reliable over the long run, and even so, there will always be outliers and failures that occur sooner than expected.

Speed

HDDs, or hard drives, contain spinning disks that read and write your data. The faster these disks spin—rated in rotations per minute (RPM)—the faster the drive can access data and transfer it to your computer.

Performance

Transfer speed is the feature that most people notice on a daily basis. We evaluated each drive with tests that replicated different real-world uses, and we focused on the drives that consistently outperformed the other contenders. Drives that did well on some tests but failed others were unreliable and not worth purchasing.

Cache Memory

This is a cache that functions much like Computer RAM Memory. It stores important files temporarily so that it takes less time to access them on the disk. The larger the cache size, the faster the hard disk will be. However, the difference is not major, and as such, this should not be the biggest determiner.

Size Of The Disk

I understand that you are buying the hard disk in order to eliminate the need to delete some files when you install a new game or add modifications. Also, at a time when a single game can take up to 100GB, Call of Duty WWII is 90GB; it only makes sense that you select the hard disk that will allow you sufficient storage space.

Rotation Speed

Did you know that hard drives store information on spinning magnetic plates? The faster these plates spin, the faster the load and access time. The rotation is measured in RPM (Rotations per Minute), and although we recommend hard disks with 7200RPM, 5400RPM is still a good option.

External Vs. Internal HDD

The main advantage of external hard disks is their portability. Which also makes them perfect backups in case your PC is compromised. Desktop PCs allow you room to add extra hard disks, but if you are using a laptop or other gaming device, you will have to replace your existing hard drive.

FAQs

What is an internal hard drive for gaming?

An internal hard drive for gaming is a type of internal storage device specifically designed to store video game files, programs, and other large amounts of data. It is usually larger than a standard hard drive, and typically offers faster read and write speeds for improved gaming performance.

How much storage do I need for my gaming PC?

The amount of storage you need for your gaming PC depends on the type of games you play and their size. Generally, it is recommended to have at least 500GB of storage for most modern PC games. If you plan to store large amounts of media such as videos or music, you may need more storage capacity.

What are the benefits of using an internal hard drive for gaming?

Using an internal hard drive for gaming provides a number of benefits. These include faster loading speeds and improved gaming performance, as well as better system stability, as the hard drive is more efficient than an external hard drive. In addition, an internal hard drive will also provide more storage space than an external hard drive, allowing you to store more games and programs.

What type of internal hard drive should I use for gaming?

The type of internal hard drive you should use for gaming depends on your budget and the type of game you are playing. Generally, the best type of internal hard drive for gaming is a Solid State Drive (SSD). SSDs offer faster read and write speeds that can improve game loading times and reduce lag. You may also consider a hybrid hard drive with both an SSD and a spinning hard drive, which can offer a balance of speed and capacity.

As we are product consulting experts with a wide range of experience, we determine correct information. Apart from that, we keep the best internal hard drives for gaming current. You may rest confident that the data is accurate and up to date.

Besides best internal hard drives for gaming, we can advise you with anything. Please do not hesitate to contact us whenever you need guidance.


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About Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons is a writer who loves home theater and HiFi audio. As the editor of TheAudioInsights, he has helped countless people enjoy the best possible sound quality in their homes. He is an audiophile who takes great pleasure in helping others find the perfect audio equipment for their needs. When he's not writing or editing, Dan enjoys listening to music and spending time with his family.