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SSD vs HDD for gaming: the answer in 2026
The SSD vs HDD question for gaming PCs is settled in 2026: SSD is essential. But which type? What capacity? Does HDD still have a place?
Why HDD is no longer suitable for gaming in 2026
Loading times on HDD are 3–8× longer than on SSD for modern games. In Baldur's Gate 3, HDD loads 90–120 seconds between areas; NVMe SSD loads in 5–15 seconds.
Some recent games (Fortnite, Cyberpunk with DirectStorage) are designed for NVMe SSDs.
Which capacity SSD for gaming?
1 TB: the recommended standard in 2026. Price: €50–80 (NVMe PCIe 3.0).
2 TB: ideal for large game libraries. Price: €90–130.
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