Do I really need an SSD on my gaming rig?

Justinquast · Feb 11, 2015

I've asked this question before, I still have very mixed feelings if I need one. My build is a 1 thousand dollar build, and thats my limit I can't go any higher. I'm only going to be running Arma 3 and Standalone probably nothing else. I am worried if I don't get an SSD the loading times will be that big of a difference, is that true or not?

ThatVietGuy · Feb 11, 2015

Differences in loading time won't be affected THAT much unless you need the extra 1-2 seconds.

And you don't really NEED an SSD. It's just really nice to have one since you've already built a good rig you might as well give it the speed it deserves.

gilbadon · Feb 11, 2015

I get SSD's myself but it is mostly for boot and file IO performance. I put almost all of my games on a standard hard drive so game loading times are not affected (at least when it comes to IO performance). In reality, no you do not need one. However, I recommend you get one. I cannot build a computer without one anymore simply because they increase general IO performance so much it makes doing everyday tasks on the computer 1000% more enjoyable. If I were you, I would just try to squeeze another $60-100 to get a 120GB SSD and use it primarily as a boot device. It makes a world of difference.

USAFRet · Feb 11, 2015

Need? No.
Recommended? Yes.

Justinquast · Feb 11, 2015

gilbadon :

Is it that much of a difference? Will it affect my PC if I don't have one, or if I buy my build and then buy the SSD after I get the money for it? I currently have a $69.99 120GB SSD in my Parts list but I'm just deciding on removing it or not due to I have no more money on my budget.

gilbadon · Feb 11, 2015

I would recommend getting the SSD now and getting the hard drive after. That way you do not need to completely reinstall windows upon getting the SSD. You may be strapped for room, but I have built a few 120GB PC's that I did not fill. If you have an external hard drive that can work for now as well.

And it makes a huge difference. It will affect your PC. It just will not inhibit any gaming that you do. That is throttled by other parts. If you do not care about responsiveness and just want simply the best gaming/$ and no other stats entice you, do not get an SSD.

IMO, the 10-15 seconds saved booting every time is worth it alone. Gets you to your games that much faster =P. It does not seem like a lot until you see it for yourself.

USAFRet · Feb 11, 2015

Justinquast :

Personally, I would not build a main use PC without one. But budgets are different.
It really makes a difference in the whole PC, though.

What specific SSD do you have in your cart?

gskill support · Feb 11, 2015

Yes, SSD and HDD has a big difference for loading speed. But if you never had SSD, you won't know the difference anyway.

Justinquast · Feb 11, 2015

USAFRet :

Here is my whole build you can look it over: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Justinquast/saved/ZPhdnQ

USAFRet · Feb 11, 2015

Justinquast :

Looks OK, but I would really try to pinch out that extra $70 for the SSD.

Justinquast · Feb 11, 2015

USAFRet :

Thanks for the help, I meant to click on one of your comments for the solution but I clicked on some other one by mistake.

rhysiam · Feb 11, 2015

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth with a huge vote for an SSD. The difference is night and day. I don't think it's just the "15 seconds boot time", but everyone will have experienced what happens after you've had the computer for a while, accumulated a few little applications and programs, and then after you login, you can see the desktop but the computer is basically useless (unresponsive) for a minute or even more because that poor old mechanical HDD is getting slammed and just not coping.

SSD, you turn the machine on, login, launch your game and away you go. The difference is night and day.

If you were on a super-tight budget and desperate to get the best possible FPS, maybe you could drop an SSD. But that's a nice high end build you have there, it would (IMHO) be criminal to cripple it with a mechanical HDD.

Yes, once the game loads the SSD makes no difference (or even once the PC loads if you game is installed on a secondary HDD), but the responsiveness of the system in general is literally night and day.

It is, of course, a personal thing and others will see it differently. But that's my view for what it's worth. Good luck with the build.

Justinquast · Feb 11, 2015

rhysiam :

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth with a huge vote for an SSD. The difference is night and day. I don't think it's just the "15 seconds boot time", but everyone will have experienced what happens after you've had the computer for a while, accumulated a few little applications and programs, and then after you login, you can see the desktop but the computer is basically useless (unresponsive) for a minute or even more because that poor old mechanical HDD is getting slammed and just not coping.

SSD, you turn the machine on, login, launch your game and away you go. The difference is night and day.

If you were on a super-tight budget and desperate to get the best possible FPS, maybe you could drop an SSD. But that's a nice high end build you have there, it would (IMHO) be criminal to cripple it with a mechanical HDD.

Yes, once the game loads the SSD makes no difference (or even once the PC loads if you game is installed on a secondary HDD), but the responsiveness of the system in general is literally night and day.

It is, of course, a personal thing and others will see it differently. But that's my view for what it's worth. Good luck with the build.

Thanks man, I decided to get the SSD I'm willing to pay the money for the better performance.

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