Can a video game wear out a hard drive?

[sslade]

My laptop has needed 2 replacement hard drives in the last 4 months. The computer is a 2010 Sony Vaio laptop. I am wondering if certain games should not be played for fear that they tax the hard drive. Can this happen?

 

[Chainzsaw]

Hello,

Normally HDD's don't die that often...however it is possible.

I noticed you have a laptop - do you normally move around your laptop while it's on? That can cause HDD's to die. Even keeping your laptop on your lap and shifting around can cause problems for the HDD.

Also using your laptop for games shouldn't cause any problems with the HDD.

If you are quite worried about your HDD dieing again, I would suggest looking into an SSD drive. There are no moving parts in an SSD, and it should make your laptop more resilient to movement/small drops/etc.

Another thing to consider - maybe your laptop's HDD power/sata connection is faulty and giving too much or too little power to your HDD therefore killing them.

Edit: One more thing. Where your HDD currently is - do you notice a lot of heat where it's located? Heat in a small laptop can also cause your HDD to malfunction.

 

[dalaran]

Unlikely, yes games will cause data to be mostly read and sometime written to the drive, but that's just normal usage, there usually nothing abusive about that, and it shouldn't damage the drive in any way.

Only thing I can think of that might be damage a drive is excessive heat, physical damage from a fall or liquid spills, other than that you might just have been really unlucky and got bad units.

 

[sslade]

Hello,

Normally HDD's don't die that often...however it is possible.

I noticed you have a laptop - do you normally move around your laptop while it's on? That can cause HDD's to die. Even keeping your laptop on your lap and shifting around can cause problems for the HDD.

Also using your laptop for games shouldn't cause any problems with the HDD.

If you are quite worried about your HDD dieing again, I would suggest looking into an SSD drive. There are no moving parts in an SSD, and it should make your laptop more resilient to movement/small drops/etc.

Another thing to consider - maybe your laptop's HDD power/sata connection is faulty and giving too much or too little power to your HDD therefore killing them.

Edit: One more thing. Where your HDD currently is - do you notice a lot of heat where it's located? Heat in a small laptop can also cause your HDD to malfunction.

Thanks you for the quick response. The computer belongs to my 12 year old son and he likes to play his games with the computer on his lap while he reclines on the sofa. And while he does not drop it, he does move around a lot while playing the game and while using his computer for other tasks.

 

[serialkiller]

Thats causing hdd malfunction

also use cooling pad to keep laptop cool

 

[Chainzsaw]

Thanks you for the quick response. The computer belongs to my 12 year old son and he likes to play his games with the computer on his lap while he reclines on the sofa. And while he does not drop it, he does move around a lot while playing the game and while using his computer for other tasks.

Using the laptop on your laptop is actually not a really good idea. It's not good for a male's...ahem parts. Also it can cause excessive heat build up inside the laptop.

You might want to consider getting a laptop cooler for your son.

One more thing - don't take this the wrong way - however who knows what 12 year old kids do to their laptops? I remember being that age - and I actually accidentally destroyed my CD drive on my computer. Plus I remember being quite...whats the word here...clumsy with stuff lol.

I would suggest an SSD. Should be much more resilient...for your purposes.

 

[serialkiller]

+1

 

[sslade]

Using the laptop on your laptop is actually not a really good idea. It's not good for a male's...ahem parts. Also it can cause excessive heat build up inside the laptop.

You might want to consider getting a laptop cooler for your son.

One more thing - don't take this the wrong way - however who knows what 12 year old kids do to their laptops? I remember being that age - and I actually accidentally destroyed my CD drive on my computer. Plus I remember being quite...whats the word here...clumsy with stuff lol.

I would suggest an SSD. Should be much more resilient...for your purposes.

I agree with your observations and recommendations. For the record, I can't wait for the return of his laptop from the Geek Squad after repairs since I never know what may happen when he is using mine. The drive being replaced is still under warranty and costs $70. Is an SSD much more expensive? And thank you again!

 

[Chainzsaw]

I agree with your observations and recommendations. For the record, I can't wait for the return of his laptop from the Geek Squad after repairs since I never know what may happen when he is using mine. The drive being replaced is still under warranty and costs $70. Is an SSD much more expensive? And thank you again!

Ahh ok. The price for an SSD depends on the size you want as well as a few quality factors. I will give you a few examples here:

Crucial M4 128GB SSD $173.99 <--- not the fastest SSD, but reliable, and still quick. I actually have this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448

Intel 520 180GB SSD ◦$274.99 <--- Known quality Intel brand. Very fast, very reliable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167115

So they are somewhat expensive...however if you are constantly replacing your HDD - it might be cheaper for you in the long run.

 

[sslade]

Ahh ok. The price for an SSD depends on the size you want as well as a few quality factors. I will give you a few examples here:

Crucial M4 128GB SSD $173.99 <--- not the fastest SSD, but reliable, and still quick. I actually have this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448

Intel 520 180GB SSD ◦$274.99 <--- Known quality Intel brand. Very fast, very reliable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167115

So they are somewhat expensive...however if you are constantly replacing your HDD - it might be cheaper for you in the long run.

Thanks again for your time and very helpful information!

 

[Chainzsaw]

Thanks again for your time and very helpful information!

Hey no problem. Hope it works out for you. Feel free to ask for any other information if you require some!