When I build or tune a gaming PC, one of the questions that comes up again and again is: Do I really need an NVMe SSD for games, or is a SATA SSD or even an HDD still okay? I get it — storage is expensive, games are massive, and the difference between “it loads faster” and “I actually feel the improvement” isn't always clear. I’ve tested a lot of drives across a wide range of games, and in this piece I’ll walk you through which titles truly benefit from NVMe speeds, why that happens, and how to prioritize storage for the biggest bang for your buck.
Drive types and what the numbers mean
First, a quick primer so we’re all on the same page:
HDD (Hard Disk Drive) — mechanical, cheap per GB, slow random access and seek times. Good for mass storage (backups, archives, old games).SATA SSD — solid-state, much faster than HDD for both sequential and random reads, limited by SATA (~550 MB/s). Great mid-tier option.NVMe SSD (PCIe) — uses PCIe lanes, far higher sequential and random throughput. Modern NVMe (PCIe 3.0 to 4.0) offers huge gains, especially for very large asset streams and install operations.Important metrics:
Sequential read/write — matters for copying large files and some level loads.Random IOPS / latency — crucial for small file access and reducing stutter when the game requests individual assets.Sustained throughput — matters when the game streams huge textures or world data continuously.How games actually use storage
Games don’t all behave the same. Here are the primary patterns I see:
Short, frequent reads — small configuration files, shaders, UI assets. These benefit from low latency/fast random access (SSDs vs HDDs).Large sequential reads — big level files, cutscenes, large texture packs. These benefit from high sequential throughput (NVMe shines).Continuous streaming — open-world games that stream assets as you move. These need strong sustained throughput and low latency to avoid pop-in.Initial installs and patches — sequential write/read speed matters for install time and patch application.Which games see the biggest gains from NVMe?
In my tests and hours of play, the titles that benefit most from NVMe fall into three buckets:
Large open-world, streaming-heavy games — Examples: Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator. These games load huge textures and world data dynamically. On an HDD you'll see long loading screens and texture pop-in. On SATA SSD it's playable but you can still get pop-in in very dense areas. NVMe reduces pop-in and makes transitions (fast travel, entering cities) noticeably smoother.Games with very large uncompressed assets or rapid streaming needs — Examples: Call of Duty Warzone (large map + streaming), Fortnite (fast pace, map changes), some MMOs—especially with crowded zones. NVMe helps ensure the game can pull in assets faster than the engine needs them, reducing hitching during fast movement.Open-world simulators and flight sims — Example: Microsoft Flight Simulator is the poster child for benefiting from NVMe. The sim streams massive terrain/photogrammetry and texture data continuously; a high-end NVMe drive significantly improves airport and scenery loading and reduces stutters mid-flight.Conversely, some games see minimal difference between SATA SSD and NVMe:
Small-scope or single-room games — Example: indie 2D titles, many platformers, turn-based strategy games. These often load entire levels into RAM quickly and have tiny asset files — SATA SSD or even a good HDD can be fine.Games that pre-load assets — Some competitive shooters pre-load most assets at match start, so raw in-match streaming is limited. Here the difference between a SATA SSD and NVMe is mostly in load times, not in-match performance.Real-world numbers (what I’ve seen in testing)
To keep things practical, here are representative observations I’ve collected from casual benchmarking:
| Scenario | HDD | SATA SSD | NVMe SSD |
| Cold boot load (open-world game) | 120–180s | 40–80s | 20–40s |
| Fast travel / zone load | 10–30s (with stutter) | 3–8s | 1–3s, smoother streaming |
| Texture pop-in in dense scenes | Heavy | Moderate | Minimal |
| Install / patch time (100 GB) | 10–20 min | 5–10 min | 2–6 min |
Those numbers vary by system and generation of drive, but the trend is consistent: NVMe reduces load times and streaming stutter most dramatically for the heaviest, most streaming-dependent titles.
Where to spend your budget
Here’s how I prioritize storage when I’m building or advising readers:
Primary drive (OS + most-played games): Use an NVMe SSD if you can afford it. A 1TB NVMe like the Samsung 980 Pro, WD Black SN850, or Crucial P5 Plus gives responsive OS behavior and excellent game performance.Secondary drive (archive / less-played titles): SATA SSD for older or casual games you care less about load times for — or a large HDD if you need bulk capacity.Budget builds: If NVMe is out of reach, a SATA SSD for the OS and your top 1–3 games, plus an HDD for everything else, is a great compromise.Tips to squeeze performance regardless of drive
I also want to share a few practical tips I use when storage is the bottleneck:
Install heavy, streaming-dependent games on the fastest drive — that’s the single biggest UX win.Enable Oodle/DirectStorage where supported — DirectStorage (Windows) and game-specific IO optimizations can reduce CPU overhead and help NVMe drives shine.Keep some free space — SSDs need headroom for sustained performance (aim for 10–20% free).Use SLC caching awareness — cheaper TLC drives have caches that can fill; for huge installs or long streaming sessions, drives with good sustained write performance or larger caches avoid dips.Specific recommendations
If you want concrete picks:
Semi-budget NVMe: Crucial P3 Plus — good entry PCIe 4.0 performance for the price.Best value / overall: Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850 — strong sustained throughput and real-world gaming improvements.Budget SATA SSD: Crucial MX500 — a reliable pick if NVMe is not an option.Bulk HDD for storage: Seagate Barracuda or WD Blue — affordable and high capacity for older libraries.If you want me to test a specific game or compare drives you own, tell me which titles you play most and I’ll share tailored advice — I love digging into the data and making sure you get the right balance of speed and storage for your playstyle. For more guides and hardware breakdowns, you can always find deeper tests on Gameriously at https://www.gameriously.com — I keep real-world benching and practical tips front and center so you can play smarter and game harder.
