Is it possible to run programs/games effectively off an external drive?

[Bengemon825]

My laptop that I use for school only has a 512Gb SSD but i also use it for gaming so I must ration space for programs and some games. So I was wondering if there are possibly external drives that are fast enough to run programs off of. I have usb 3.0 ports and a thunderbolt 3/usb c so i was thinning that maybe a thunderbolt drive would be fast enough?

 

[ss202sl]

There are external SSD drives that are fast. Can you upgrade the SSD, or add a second internal drive?

 

[Peter Martin]

get a good fast server class HDD if you can and put it in a good enclosure with a USB 3.0 connector. it should be PLENTY fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-External-Enclosure-Automatic-Function/dp/B075WDRSLZ/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1536422202&sr=8-28&keywords=hard+drive+enclosure+3.5+usb+3.0

mine is a 2TB Western Digital external at usb 3 speeds. plenty fast to run games and apps.

 

[Bengemon825]

get a good fast server class HDD if you can and put it in a good enclosure with a USB 3.0 connector. it should be PLENTY fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-External-Enclosure-Automatic-Function/dp/B075WDRSLZ/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1536422202&sr=8-28&keywords=hard+drive+enclosure+3.5+usb+3.0

mine is a 2TB Western Digital external at usb 3 speeds. plenty fast to run games and apps.

USB 3 is fast enough to run games? Can you link the drive you use?

 

[Bengemon825]

There are external SSD drives that are fast. Can you upgrade the SSD, or add a second internal drive?

I have a Razer Blade 14 2017 so I don't believe there's an extra bay. Regardless it would technically void my warranty to replace the drive.

 

[Peter Martin]

dude, usb 3 is wicked fast. games don't require that much, you can use external drives and run all games off it on consoles too, works GREAT. I use a WD 4TB external for Xbox One and I use a WD something or other, (a server class 7200 RPM drive in a USB 3.0 encloser) on my pc for all data storage.

https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Enterprise-Class-Hard-Drive/dp/B01IY9UTMM/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1536591652&sr=1-4&keywords=server%2Bhard%2Bdrives&dpID=51PzJ3ULzFL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

you get much longer Meantime Between Failures with the server class drives, that's why they cost more, so get a consumer model if you want cheap, but know it can't take the thermal abuse or usage like a server drive can.

that little beast will serve you well, the 4TB i would get so you can put MANY and all games on it

 

[Bengemon825]

you get much longer Meantime Between Failures with the server class drives, that's why they cost more, so get a consumer model if you want cheap, but know it can't take the thermal abuse or usage like a server drive can.

Could you use a normal desktop hard drive inside an enclosure? They don't run as much as server drives but must have longer life/durability than a dedicated external drive?

 

[Peter Martin]

yes you can! lifetime may vary but it should be ok. You could get yourself a nice 1TB Crucial or Samsung 2.5 in SATA3 SSD and put that in an enclosure! lol, that would rule

dude! Western Digital sells ready made USB 4TB and 8 TB models. I use one for my XBOX One and put all games on it. fast as anything. never a problem. I have the one below. I have over 100 games installed and constantly updating! works like a charm.

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Desktop-External-Drive-WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN/dp/B01LQQHL4E/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1536684817&sr=8-6&keywords=wd+4tb+external+drive&dpID=31BjN66m%252BrL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch