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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Usually, an SSD makes games load faster, but it does not automatically increase average FPS. It can also help reduce pauses caused by waiting for game data, depending on the game and system. “Faster” can mean shorter loading screens, smoother asset streaming, or more frames per second; storage affects those outcomes differently.
What changes when you install a game on an SSD?
The clearest difference is often the time spent waiting: starting a game, loading a level, or restarting after a failure. UL’s 3DMark Storage Benchmark listing describes shorter loading times and faster level restarts with modern SSD storage. The size of the gain depends on the game, drive, and test setup.
One PCWorld test illustrates how much results can vary across games. It compared a WD Black SN770 SSD with a Seagate BarraCuda HDD and timed boot and load activities. These are results from that publication’s three-game test, not a prediction for every computer or game.
| Game | Boot: SSD | Boot: HDD | Load: SSD | Load: HDD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Rivals | 10 seconds | 49 seconds | 8 seconds | 67 seconds |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | 26 seconds | 36 seconds | 14 seconds | 22 seconds |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 6 seconds | 18 seconds | 6 seconds | 63 seconds |
PCWorld did not expose the test’s publication date in the retrieved result; the figures were accessed in 2026. The timed activities and results differ by title, and the publication noted that how a game optimizes and streams assets can affect the outcome. Do not read these three examples as a universal percentage improvement.
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Will an SSD increase FPS?
Not simply because the game is installed on it. Average frame rate is principally constrained by the parts of the system doing the game’s rendering and processing; Steam Support discusses FPS separately from disk-access interruptions and system bottlenecks. Moving a game from an HDD to an SSD is therefore not a reliable way to raise average FPS.
Storage can still affect the experience during play if the game needs data and the drive responds slowly. In that case, waiting for data can show up as a pause or hitch rather than a consistently higher or lower frame rate. Steam Support notes that an HDD that has spun down can take a second or longer to respond. SSDs are not a guarantee against every hitch either: the guidance says SSD housekeeping can occasionally cause delays, particularly when the drive is nearly full.
Rank #2
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Can an SSD make asset streaming smoother?
Potentially, in games that load assets while you move through the world or otherwise need data during play. A faster response from storage may reduce waits for those assets, but the benefit depends on the game’s design and implementation. It is distinct from a guaranteed increase in average FPS, and neither drive type guarantees completely interruption-free play.
Microsoft describes DirectStorage as “a feature intended to allow games to make full use of high-speed NVMe drives for loading game assets.” This applies to games that implement the technology; it is not evidence that every title benefits equally. UL’s 3DMark DirectStorage feature test listing specifies a PCIe Gen 3 SSD for that test. That test requirement should not be treated as a current system requirement for all games.
Rank #3
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Should you choose an NVMe SSD or a SATA SSD?
Start with what your computer supports and how much space your game library needs. NVMe and SATA SSDs are both storage options identified in UL’s 3DMark listing, while Microsoft’s DirectStorage documentation specifically describes high-speed NVMe use. The cited material does not establish a universal gaming-performance ranking between NVMe and SATA drives or current prices for either.
- Choose NVMe if your system supports the compatible NVMe connection and you want the high-speed asset-loading path used by DirectStorage-capable games.
- Consider SATA if your system supports SATA but not the NVMe option you need, or a SATA SSD is the compatible upgrade for your setup.
- Check capacity against the games you intend to keep installed; a nearly full SSD may be more prone to the housekeeping delays described by Steam Support.
- Check each game’s requirements before relying on an SSD or a specific interface. A feature-test requirement does not establish the requirements of a particular game.
For either type, an internal SSD is a sensible upgrade when shorter loading waits are the goal. Choose based on compatibility, capacity, and the games you play—not on a promise of higher FPS.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
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Rank #4
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
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How to decide whether an SSD upgrade is worthwhile
- Identify the problem. If long startup, level loads, or restarts are the main frustration, storage is a plausible area to improve. If the goal is more FPS, an SSD alone is not a dependable fix.
- Check the games that matter to you. Look for their stated storage requirements and whether they use asset streaming or DirectStorage. Benefits vary by game.
- Confirm system compatibility. Check whether the computer supports an NVMe drive in the relevant M.2 slot, SATA storage, or both; the form factor and interface must match the system.
- Choose enough capacity for your library. Leave practical room for installed games and system use rather than buying a drive that will remain nearly full.
- Set expectations by outcome. Expect potential reductions in loading and restart waits; treat smoother streaming as game-dependent, and do not count on a general average-FPS increase.
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