The Game-Changing Impact of Starfield's SSD Requirement on PC Gamers: Unveiled
Discover why Starfield demands an SSD for optimal gameplay on PC Find out the reasons behind this requirement and explore the implications of installing the game on an HDD Also, learn about the average SSD price for an enhanced Starfield experience
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Starfield SSD Requirement, ExplainedReasons Why Starfield Requires SSD
Installing Starfield on an HDD
The Average SSD Price for Starfield
Starfield SSD Requirement, Explained
The unexpected PC specifications for Starfield surprised most Bethesda fans. However, a perplexing detail in the requirements caught the attention of many gamers: "SSD Required." While numerous next-generation games suggest the use of Solid State Drives, Starfield stands out as the first AAA title that boldly mandates it. As a result, players now find themselves questioning whether they can install the game on their traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) or if they need to upgrade their PCs solely to partake in this extraordinary space adventure.
Starfield deviates from other Bethesda games by setting a higher standard for PC specifications. To ensure optimal performance, the game specifically requires the usage of an SSD (Solid-State Drive) rather than a traditional Hard-Disk Drive. While previous next-generation games have advised players to opt for SSDs, Starfield stands out as the first AAA title to strongly recommend their use.
During pre-release interviews, Todd Howard, the game's director, confirmed that Starfield would require SSDs on PC. However, he did not provide a specific explanation. To accommodate the game's file size of approximately 125 GB, players must possess an SSD with a minimum storage capacity of 250 GB.
Reasons Why Starfield Requires SSD
The reason Starfield requires SSDs to run is due to its vast universe and use of procedural generation. With over 1,000 planets, the majority of them are generated on the spot as the player approaches. This dynamic rendering process requires a significant amount of data transfer, which HDDs would struggle to handle.
To put it into perspective, HDDs have an average data transfer rate of 100–200 MBs per second, whereas SSDs can transfer up to 600 MBs of data within the same time frame. Furthermore, SSDs have an access time of 0.1 to 0.2 milliseconds, which is 99% faster than Hard Disk Drives.
Other reasons why Starfield should be installed on an SSD:
Starfield has a lengthy load time. Without an SSD, the game’s open-world map would take much longer to load, causing stutter.
Solid State Drives (SSDs) facilitate faster patching, which is especially important for games like Starfield from Bethesda that typically require large patches and updates.
The slow texture streaming on Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) poses a problem for Starfield. To mitigate this issue, the game's frame rate has been locked at 30 frames per second (FPS). However, using an HDD would likely undermine the benefits of the fixed FPS and impede overall performance.
Installing Starfield on an HDD
The Average SSD Price for Starfield
The installation of Starfield on HDDs remains uncertain, yet it is evident that the game can only achieve optimal performance on SSDs. Even top-tier hard disk drives are inadequate for handling Starfield's real-time data rendering, reading, and writing requirements. Consequently, players are encouraged to upgrade their storage to guarantee a smooth gaming experience.
Typically, a player can purchase an SSD for Starfield for around $50. However, the most recent models that offer +1TB of storage may be priced as high as $150 to $300.
Players should consider getting an NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSD for Bethesda's space journey, as it offers a future-proof choice, although a SATA Solid State Drive is also an option. The selection of SSD depends on the player's motherboard type.
Starfield will be available for PC and Xbox Series X|S on September 6, 2023.
