USB 3.1 vs HDD

[Garrett36]

I have a 64GB usb flash drive, and I was wondering, if I plug it into my usb 3.1 port in my motherboard and install some small games like cs:go, and garrys mod on it, or one big game like Fallout 4 or GTA 5, will it run faster than if it where on my WD Black 2TB HDD?

(I know GTA 5 probably wouldn't have enough room but I could get a 128GB if I really wanted to because there only $30.)

My Specs:
Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz
NZXT Kraken x61 CPU Cooler
ASUS Z170-Deluxe Motherboard
HyperX Fury 16GB DDR4-2666 RAM (4x4GB)
Evga Geforce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX2.0+
2TB Western Digital Black HDD
128GB Samsung Pro Series SSD
Evga P2 850W 80+ Platinum Power Supply
NZXT Phantom 530 Full Tower (White)
Windows 10 OS

 

[jossrik]

The definitive answer to that is most likely it won't run faster, or load faster than off your HDD. The bandwidth on the 3.1 slot is way faster than a mechanical drive, so I can see where you're thinking, the problem is them small usb keys are really slow comparatively. You're better off buying a smallish SSD and using that in your computer to load games than buying a really really fast usb stick. The USB stick is the bottleneck here. A good new HDD transfers around 150Mbps, a good new SSD around 500 - 550 (These are theoretical, actual transfer speeds depend on a lot of different variables), but a really really fast usb stick is only gonna fetch you around 45 - 50. It's true, there are faster than that, and if you have one, Kudos, but most likely you would know how fast it was because they would advertise that it's very fast on ALL of the packaging. I've seen them with speeds in the 90 - 120 range, but very expansive (I haven't checked in a while, they might have come down in price), but even at that, not as cheap as adding a SSD.

 

[Garrett36]

The definitive answer to that is most likely it won't run faster, or load faster than off your HDD. The bandwidth on the 3.1 slot is way faster than a mechanical drive, so I can see where you're thinking, the problem is them small usb keys are really slow comparatively. You're better off buying a smallish SSD and using that in your computer to load games than buying a really really fast usb stick. The USB stick is the bottleneck here. A good new HDD transfers around 150Mbps, a good new SSD around 500 - 550 (These are theoretical, actual transfer speeds depend on a lot of different variables), but a really really fast usb stick is only gonna fetch you around 45 - 50. It's true, there are faster than that, and if you have one, Kudos, but most likely you would know how fast it was because they would advertise that it's very fast on ALL of the packaging. I've seen them with speeds in the 90 - 120 range, but very expansive (I haven't checked in a while, they might have come down in price), but even at that, not as cheap as adding a SSD.

Im planning on getting like a 500gb Samsung 850 Evo for my main games in the future, but I was just curious since I got a 64GB sandisk flash drive just collecting dust

 

[k1114]

All flash drives are not created equal so what exact flash drive are we talking about? Also the max sequential may not be relevant. The flash drive could be faster and it doesn't hurt to try. Some games will not install on removable media.

 

[Garrett36]

All flash drives are not created equal so what exact flash drive are we talking about? Also the max sequential may not be relevant. The flash drive could be faster and it doesn't hurt to try. Some games will not install on removable media.

It's a SanDisk Cruzer Glide 64GB

 

[k1114]

It's coming up as a usb 2.0 device. I wouldn't use.

 

[drtweak]

I have some Microcenter USB 3.0 USB drives that push about 100MB read on it and the thing is USB 3.1 won't make a difference at all. If it is a USB 2.0 devices which it looks like it is as k1114 said putting it in a 3.0 or 3.1 WON"T make it faster. It will just max out at what ever speed it can go. better just just getting a SSD

 

[Garrett36]

I have some Microcenter USB 3.0 USB drives that push about 100MB read on it and the thing is USB 3.1 won't make a difference at all. If it is a USB 2.0 devices which it looks like it is as k1114 said putting it in a 3.0 or 3.1 WON"T make it faster. It will just max out at what ever speed it can go. better just just getting a SSD

I don't plan on spending money on a ssd right now when I don't entirely need it. I just have this flash drive sitting around and was curious to see if it would be useful for gaming.