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If you’re building your own PC or buying a laptop, you will want to use an SSD for the main storage drive. You’ll also want to ensure that it is the right size.
You might be able crack open the laptop and swap out the drive for a larger one, or install a second drive next to it for extra storage. You can absolutely accomplish this with a desktop computer.
If you don’t have a lot of experience with computers, it is easier to buy the right amount from the start. Working on a computer with a too-small-for-your-needs SSD can be miserable, but you also don’t want to overspend on unused capacity.
This article will tell you how much SSD space you should have by 2024 and how big you can go without wasting money.
Microsoft’s 64GB storage space is not enough
Windows 11 system requirements state that 64GB is the absolute minimum storage for the operating system.
While you may be able to fit Windows 11 on a small hard drive, it will not be comfortable. You won’t be able to download files, install third-party software, or manage PC gaming.
However, a computer equipped with a 64GB SSD can run Windows 11 if you’re willing forgo many applications and store your files in the cloud, an SD card, a USB drive or a separate SSD. If you do this, it may still be usable. But I don’t suggest it.
As we approach the end of 2024 64GB of SSD storage is simply not realistic for most users. A 128GB SSD to me is the real minimum.
As long as you don’t do a lot of demanding work — meaning you use lightweight applications, don’t download huge files, and store all your data on the primary drive — you can get by with a SSD that has 128GB.
128GB isn’t much these days, particularly if you are a gamer. Many modern PC games are between 20GB and 30GB in size. Then there are games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or God of War Ragnarok which each take up more than 150GB. These games would not even be able to fit on an SSD of this size.
SSDs that are near capacity and too full will also slow down, affecting performance. This means that you won’t be able to use the full 128GB on your drive. Do you want to micromanage your files and storage space constantly?
Related to: Are you looking for a budget laptop? Don’t go under these specs
256GB is sufficient for average PC users.
The 256GB SSD will be more than enough for the majority of users. You can install large applications, store many Gigabytes of data and still have space to spare. You won’t be concerned about your storage space as much.
The 256GB is also the largest storage capacity. Minimum SSD size requirement for Microsoft Copilot+ PCs.As Copilot+ PCs gain in popularity, this will become the “new minimum” for PCs. This is a good minimum if you want to be future-proof.
512GB or more for gamers, downloaders and power users
As you move past 256GB, your needs become more specific. 256GB will suffice for basic web browsing, office tasks, and streaming media. But if you want to store large video files or install PC games, then you’ll need more.
The more storage you have, the better for PC gaming. As we’ve already mentioned, PC games are huge and will only get bigger. If you’re a heavy PC gamer who enjoys AAA titles, you’ll want at least 1TB SSD capacity. It really depends on what games you play. You can get away with 512GB of storage if the majority of your Steam library consists of small, niche indie games.
Files for media editing and content creation are also quite large. Depending on the bitrate, a 4K video could be 50GB in size or even more. If you are a content creator and editor, you may already know how much space is needed for the files you use.
The situation is different if you’re a hoarder of data. You’d be better off using a SSD of moderate size and storing large data files on external hard drives connected via Thunderbolt. HDDs are still the best choice for long-term storage and infrequently used data.
Related to: Best external drives for storage and backup
What size SSD should you choose? If you’re unsure,
shoot for a minimum of 256GB of SSD storage. You could make do with 128GB, but it would be less comfortable. Don’t even think about going down to 64GB. It may be technically possible, but you won’t have any fun. If you want to play modern PC games you will need 512GB or more of storage. You should know what you need if you deal with large files. It’s not uncommon for power users to need 512GB, 1, 2, or even more.
How much does SSD storage cost?
A larger SSD storage size has only one real downside: the cost. The cost of larger capacities is higher, even though they are cheaper per gigabyte. You don’t want overspending on unused space.
Here are some prices for SSDsin the current market:
- For 256GB, between $15 and $25
- For 512GB, between $25 and $40
- For 1TB, between $50 to $75
- for 2TB between $90 and $150[19659032Ifyoucanfindthedriveonsalethat’sevenbetter[19659032Ifyoucanfindthedriveonsalethat’sevenbetter
Further Reading: How to repurpose a SSD you no long use
Chris HoffmanContributor, PCWorld.
Chris Hoffman writes Windows Intelligence – a free weekly email newsletter that delivers the latest Windows PC information, trips and tricks straight to your inbox. He is also the former editor-in-chief and veteran tech journalist of How-To Geek. His work has been published in The New York Times and PCMag.
