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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Usually, an SSD makes games load and restart faster than an HDD, but it does not automatically increase average FPS. “Run faster” can mean shorter loading screens, fewer pauses while a game fetches assets, or a higher frame rate. Those are different outcomes, and the benefit depends on the game and the system.
What changes when you install a game on an SSD?
The clearest difference is often time spent waiting for a game to start, load a level, or restart after failure. UL describes modern SSD storage as shortening loading times and speeding up level restarts in its 3DMark Storage Benchmark listing. The size of the improvement varies with the game, drive, and test setup.
Storage can also affect pauses during play if the game needs data and the drive responds slowly. That is not the same as a guaranteed improvement in average frame rate: an SSD can reduce storage-related interruptions without making the graphics processor render more frames per second.
SSD vs. HDD: what the comparison shows
In one reported PCWorld test, a WD Black SN770 SSD and a Seagate BarraCuda HDD produced these boot and load times. PCWorld described the activities timed for each game and noted that results can depend on how a game optimizes and streams assets. These are results from three games in one publication’s test, not a universal benchmark or a prediction for every PC; the publication date was not visible in the result accessed in 2026. See PCWorld’s SSD-versus-HDD gaming test.
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| Game | Activity | WD Black SN770 SSD | Seagate BarraCuda HDD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Rivals | Boot | 10 seconds | 49 seconds |
| Marvel Rivals | Load | 8 seconds | 67 seconds |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | Boot | 26 seconds | 36 seconds |
| Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | Load | 14 seconds | 22 seconds |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Boot | 6 seconds | 18 seconds |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Load | 6 seconds | 63 seconds |
The gap differs across these titles and activities, which is why the figures should not be converted into a single expected percentage improvement for other games or PCs.
Does an SSD increase FPS?
Do not buy an SSD expecting a general average-FPS boost. Frame rate depends on the system’s performance limits; storage is a separate factor. Steam’s guidance discusses FPS and system bottlenecks separately from interruptions that can occur when disk access is delayed. Consult Steam Support’s performance guidance.
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- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
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A game that stalls while waiting for data may feel smoother after moving to faster storage, but that does not mean its average FPS has risen. Whether storage is involved depends on the game and what the PC is doing at the time.
Can an SSD prevent stuttering or pauses?
No drive type guarantees hitch-free play. Steam Support explains that slow disk responses can make a game pause. A spun-down HDD can take a second or longer to respond; SSD housekeeping can also occasionally cause delays, particularly when a drive is nearly full. Keep adequate free space and treat storage as one possible source of interruptions, not the only one.
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- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
What DirectStorage changes—and what it does not
Microsoft describes DirectStorage as a feature intended to let games make full use of high-speed NVMe drives when loading game assets. It matters only for games that implement the technology; it is not a promise that every game will load faster by the same amount. Read Microsoft’s DirectStorage documentation.
UL’s 3DMark DirectStorage feature test listing specifies a PCIe Gen 3 SSD, but that is a requirement for that test, not a current system requirement for every DirectStorage game. Check the requirements for an individual game rather than inferring them from a benchmark feature test.
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- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
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How to choose an SSD for your game library
First check what storage interfaces your computer supports and how much room your games need. NVMe and SATA SSDs are both storage options; Microsoft specifically describes DirectStorage’s high-speed asset-loading path for NVMe drives. The cited material does not establish a universal gaming-performance ranking between NVMe and SATA, or current prices, so choose based on compatibility, capacity, and cost rather than assuming NVMe always means higher FPS.
- Check compatibility. Confirm whether your PC or console supports an M.2 NVMe drive, SATA SSD, or both, and verify any device-specific installation requirements.
- Check your games. Look at the games you play most: note whether they specify an SSD and whether long loads or in-game asset streaming are a concern.
- Choose usable capacity. Allow enough space for the games you intend to keep installed and for normal free space on the drive.
- Compare complete options. Consider drive cost alongside capacity and compatibility. The available test evidence does not support paying extra for an SSD solely to raise average FPS.
A compatible internal SSD for games is a practical choice when reducing load waits is valuable. Choose an NVMe SSD if the system supports it and you want the high-speed asset-loading path Microsoft describes; a SATA SSD upgrade may suit a system that supports SATA. Neither choice should be treated as a guaranteed frame-rate upgrade.
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- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
