This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:13:30
The video provides an in-depth analysis of gaming on external drives amidst increasing game sizes, frequently surpassing 150 gigabytes. Supported by Crucial and sponsored by Corsair, the discussion begins with various USB interface categories and their impact on gaming performance. It highlights Thunderbolt's impressive 40 Gbps transfer speed but points out its high cost and compatibility issues with some game services.
Using examples like the Crucial X8 and X6 SSDs, the video compares performance, noting that while higher-end drives like the X8 offer better speeds, more budget-friendly options like the X6 still perform adequately within certain limits. Tests on an X570 platform show that advanced NVMe SSDs and higher-tier external drives significantly enhance game load and update times compared to traditional spinning hard drives.
Emphasizing practical application, the presenter advises on optimizing performance through effective use of USB ports and prudent device management. The conclusion is that external drives can reliably handle modern games if specific guidelines are followed, offering a viable solution for gamers needing extra storage or portability.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the creator revisits the topic of gaming on external drives, acknowledging that game sizes have significantly increased, often exceeding 150 gigabytes. With modern games demanding more storage space, the video aims to provide an updated perspective on using external drives for gaming. It covers critical aspects like choosing the right USB port and compares game performance on external versus internal drives. Supported by Crucial, the video also explains USB interface categories, including USB 2.0, USB 3.0 (now USB 3.2 Gen 1), USB 3.1 (now USB 3.2 Gen 2), and the newer USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, detailing their respective speeds and stability issues. The segment also includes a brief sponsor message about Corsair’s 5000 series for easy build and cable management.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on the inclusion and performance of Thunderbolt technology in Intel systems, noting its high transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. However, issues such as the high cost of external drives and compatibility problems with certain game services like Epic Games and Rockstar are highlighted. The speaker then shifts to using a Crucial X8 SSD with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, emphasizing its impressive load times compared to older interfaces. They caution against plugging high-bandwidth devices into the same front panel ports, as this can degrade performance and cause disconnections. Finally, a comparison is made with the Crucial X6 to evaluate the performance of more budget-friendly external drives, noting its peak speed within the USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Gen 1 specifications.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses different types of storage drives and their performance attributes. They highlight the Crucial X6 and X8 portable SSDs, noting that the X8 offers higher speeds but comes at a higher price and includes a type C to type A adapter, unlike the X6. They compare these drives with traditional 5400 and 7200 RPM hard drives, emphasizing the balance of capacity and cost. Additionally, they praise the Crucial MX500 for its excellent price-performance ratio and mention the Crucial P5 NVMe SSD for its superior specifications. The test system used is based on an X570 platform to evaluate the drives’ performance. The focus then shifts to the importance of read and write speeds in real-world applications, specifically game updates and load times, highlighting that a good storage drive is crucial for these tasks, not just a fast internet connection.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the presenter compares the performance of different storage drives (P5 NVMe, MX500, Crucial X8, and Crucial X6) in updating and loading games like PUBG and Warhammer. The P5 NVMe and MX500 perform similarly, but the Crucial X6 shows a noticeable write operation bottleneck during the PUBG update. The Warhammer update, despite being smaller, generates more write requests, with the NVMe SSD proving fastest, followed by the Crucial X8 surpassing the MX500.
The discussion shifts to game load times, revealing minimal differences between the internal and external drives, except for significantly slower spinning hard drives. Nominal benefits are seen with the NVMe drive, while external drives like the X8 and MX500 offer consistent performance. The presenter emphasizes that synthetic tests are poor indicators of real-world performance, as games often preload assets to avoid constant storage access, maintaining frame rates effectively. Overall, external drives perform adequately, though spinning hard drives lag behind.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the performance of different external hard drives when used for gaming, especially in titles with vast levels like Horizon Zero Dawn and Jedi Order. The conclusion is that you can rely on an external drive for newer games if some rules are followed: understanding USB port limitations (USB 2.0 won’t suffice), avoiding plugging the drive with numerous other devices into front panel connectors, and not assuming the most expensive drive is significantly better than a more affordable, larger-capacity option. The Crucial X6 is highlighted as providing a balanced performance. This is positive news for laptop users or those needing to expand storage or transfer games between PCs. The presenter hints at possibly revisiting the topic as new standards emerge but advises viewers to spend wisely based on the video’s guidance.