Is a 1TB SSD enough for gaming in 2022?

Game sizes keep getting bigger every year. You want smooth play and fast load times, but you don’t want to run out of space in the middle of a new release. Is a 1TB SSD enough for gaming in 2022?

A 1TB SSD gives enough space for most gamers in 2022, letting you keep around 8–12A 1TB SSD²⁰ gives enough space for most gamers in 2022, letting you keep around 8–12 AAA titles installed simultaneously along with smaller games

As games grow and add content, many players wonder if 1TB still works or if upgrades are now standard. Let’s break down gaming needs and storage realities to find out if this size suits you.

Is 1TB enough for casual gaming?

If you play mostly older games, indie titles, or only a few new releases, do you need a whole 1TB SSD or could you use less?

1TB is more than enough for casual gaming in 2022. Many casual and indie games use less than 5GB each, and even with some larger favorites installed, you won’t fill this space quickly[3][8][5].

To put things in perspective,To put things in perspective, casual gamers—those who play indie, retro, or lightweight titles—rarely face space issues. Most classic PC games²⁰, smaller Steam releases, and online multiplayer titles range from 2GB to 25GB per install

A well-made 1TB SSD can last over five years with normal gaming, browsing, and work use. Most modern SSDs support hundreds of terabytes written before wearing out, and outlive typical upgrade cycles[6][7][9][10].

SSD lifespan depends on usage, technology (TLC, QLC, etc.), and manufacturer-quality[6][7][9]. Gamer workloads—installing, patching, loading, and saving games—rarely approach SSD rated write limits. Many standard consumer SSDs, like Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850, list TBW (Total Bytes Written) ratings from 600TB to 1,200TB. With average gaming and mixed use, that’s years and even decades before you hit any limit[6][9]. SSDs don’t suffer mechanical breakdowns like HDDs, so random failures are rare if the drive is stored and used correctly. Performance typically stays high throughout most of its useful life; if replaced, it’s usually for more capacity rather than failure.

SSDs may outlast your PC upgrade cycle, letting you keep fast storage across multiple builds.

Is 1TB SSD enough for PS5?

If you use a PlayStation 5, will a 1TB SSD expansion help avoid frequent game juggling, or does the console need even more for today’s blockbuster titles?

A 1TB SSD is typically enough for a PS5, holding 8–10 big games with DLC and updates. However, some users may want more space for frequent new releases or large digital libraries[3][8][12][13].

PlayStation 5 comes with around 825GB built-in, but only about 667GB is usable for games after formatting and the operating system[12][13]. Adding a 1TB NVMe SSD slot gives another ~930GB usable space. Popular AAA PS5 games—Call of Duty, Horizon, Spider-Man—range from 50GB to 120GB per install[13]. That means you’ll comfortably hold 8–10 major games, or more if you mix in smaller, indie titles or free-to-play campaigns. Cloud saves and external drives help manage overflow. For players who stick to favorites and rotate old titles, 1TB is enough. If you want every release ready-to-play, or save lots of media clips and DLCs, upgrade to a larger SSD or use additional solutions.

For most PS5 users, a 1TB SSD makes gaming fast and hassle-free, unless your digital library is huge.

Conclusion

A 1TB SSD is enough for most gamers in 2022, supporting a healthy mix of big and small games with reliable speed and long-term durability for both PC and console setups.