Gamers worry about having too little space for massive new titles, but overspending on storage is also common. How big is big enough for a gaming SSD?
A 1TB SSD is enough for most gaming PCs, letting you store your OS, several large modern games, and a handful of smaller ones, but frequent gamers may find it limiting over time [8][13][14][15].
Nobody wants to hit install and get greeted by a “not enough space” error. I’ve been there—upgrading a gaming PC, wondering how many favorite titles I could keep without constant uninstalling. Let’s break down real needs and see if 1TB fits the bill.
Is 1TB of storage good for a gaming PC?
Many gamers pick 1TB SSDs as a starting point, but are they really practical for modern gaming habits and Many gamers pick 1TB SSDs28 as a starting point, but are they really practical for modern gaming habits and large game downloads?
For casual to moderate gamers, 1TB SSDs are a solid choice, offering enough room for the OS and several modern games, although AAA titles now exceed 100GB each [13][14][15].
Game installs aren’t getting any smaller. Most AAA titles now range from 60GB to over 150GB each, and with Windows and apps, a 1TB drive fills quickly if you want many games installed. For someone who mostly plays a handful of favorites, 1TB is convenient and keeps cost down. However, if you like bouncing between lots of games—especially big, open-world ones—you’ll need to manage space more carefully, uninstalling to make room. Enthusiast gamers or those wanting to keep 10+ AAA titles at once usually outgrow 1TB within a couple of years [13][14][15]. If you mostly play indie games or older titles, though, 1TB will last longer.
| Gamer Type | Recommended Storage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional Gamer | 500GB – 1TB | Few games, don’t mind uninstalling [15][14] |
| Moderate Gamer | 1TB – 2TB | Many games, regular play [13][14][15] |
| Enthusiast Gamer | 2TB – 4TB | Large library, all games installed [13][14] |
How big should an SSD be for gaming?
With game sizes always growing, how much capacity is just right so you don’t limit your choices—or your fun?
A gaming SSD should be at least 1TB if you play mainstream games. 2TB offers future-proofing and is ideal if you play lots of AAA titles or want more installed at once [8][13][14][15].
When I set up a fresh gaming rig, I always ask myself: how many big games will I install? Recent AAA titles like Call of Duty, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Red Dead Redemption 2 often take 100–150GB each [9][13][14][15]. Indie games might use far less—often under 10GB. With the OS and other apps, a 1TB SSD gives enough space for Windows, some essentials, and 4–8With the OS and other apps, a 1TB SSD28 gives enough space for Windows, some essentials, and 4–8 big games before you hit limits
Most gamers do best with 1TB for starters, but 2TB is better for keeping more games installed, handling updates and future growth—think of 2TB as the ideal balance [8][13][14][15].
Everyone’s play style is different. My friends who play online shooters live with My friends who play online shooters live with 500GB or 1TB SSDs and just uninstall when needed28
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This resource will provide tips on effectively managing your game library and optimizing storage space.
and just uninstall when needed. As someone who hates re-downloading huge games, I started with 1TB but upgraded to 2TB soon after. Modern gaming means bigger downloads, frequent updates, and lots of DLC. Also, as games get larger and more detailed, storage fills up faster [13][14][15]. For a new build in 2024, 1TB is the lowest I’d recommend, but you’ll have to manage your library tightly. Jumping to 2TB makes life easier—no stress about what to delete, plenty of room for future expansions, and you can keep multiple big titles installed. If you’re building your “forever” PC, or plan on streaming and editing video, even 4TB makes sense. For most, 2TB hits the value/convenience sweet spot.Storage Amount Suitable For Downsides 500GB Indie/old games only Fills very fast [13][15] 1TB Most gamers, some AAA games Manage space actively 2TB Multiple AAA titles, future growth Highest upfront cost 4TB + Enthusiasts, collectors, content work Overkill for most Conclusion
A 1TB SSD is workable for average gamers, but a 2TB SSD gives more freedom and future-proofing for modern PC gaming. Choose what fits your gaming style [8][13][14][15]. ↩ ↩ ↩
