Mac Gaming External Ssd
I have a 2018 15’ MBP that I want to bootcamp, but only having 256gb for storage makes that difficult. Can I buy an external SSD and use that to bootcamp my Mac and store games? Sorry if this is a stupid question. Nov 29, 2016 The Best External SSDs for 2020. Dump your poky portable hard drive! External solid-state drives are faster and more affordable than ever.
Running up against a storage limit wall on your current hard drive? The best external hard drive for gaming may be your best tech investment of 2020. That’s because external hard drives increase your gaming rig’s storage capacity — and thus your game library — by several fold. And, you don’t even have to tinker inside the computer chassis. With simple plug-and-play form factors, you can play your favorite titles through a simple USB connection!
This article walks you through the best external hard drives for gaming on the market, giving you a look at the top HDD options available. We’ll also take a look at how to choose the best option for your setup (external hard drives work for PC and console) and peek at the major benefits behind the hardware. If you’re ready to scope out the best hard drives on the market, let’s dive in.
Contents
5 Best External Hard Drives of 2020
We’ve curated this list of the top 5 external hard drives for gaming to give you a comprehensive overview of the top options on the market.
1. Western Digital Black My Passport Portable Hard Drive
Our pick for best portable storage drive for gaming
The Western Digital Black series is all about quality storage gear for the entertainment buff. Naturally, the My Passport Portable Hard Drive fits in quite well thanks to USB 3.0 technology and large storage capacities that works with all major gaming platforms. Plus, My Passport comes in a variety of stylish colors and ships with a number of unique safety features. A fantastic buy and one of the best portable gaming storage drives.
Snapshot:
- Works with PC, Mac, Console
- 1TB-4TB storage capacity
- USB 3.0 technology
- Password protection, hardware encryption, and auto backup
2. Seagate Expansion Portable Hard Drive
Our pick for best external hard drive for gaming PCs
If you’re looking for a quality portable hard drive, look no further. The Seagate Expansion does it all with universal compatibility, giant storage capacities, and USB 3.0 technology. Store and play your favorite titles, and take them on the go with the slim form factor. Plug-and-play technology makes jumping into the game a cinch, and the 120 MB/s transfer speed is top notch. Overall, a great storage option with fantastic ratings.
Snapshot:
- Works with PC, Mac, Console
- 1TB-4TB storage capacity
- USB 3.0 technology
- Comes with a plug-and-play design and 120 MB/s transfer speed rating
3. Silicon Power A60 Armor Portable Hard Drive
Our pick for best external hard drive for gaming on console
The Silicon Power A60 Armor is a gaming juggernaut that’s perfect for every platform. It ships in sizes up to 5TB and features the latest USB 3.0 tech for lightning-quick transfer speeds and zippy gameplay. Moreover, it’s outfitted with a plug-and-play design as well as military-grade armor for guaranteed protection. Take it on the go with the cable-carry design and game wherever you want.
Snapshot:
- Works with PC, Mac, Console
- 500GB-5TB
- USB 3.0 technology
- Water resistant, shockproof, plug-and-play, and more
4. Samsung T5 Portable SSD
Our pick for best external SSD for gaming
While this article is about external hard drives, we couldn’t help but include the T5 by Samsung. It’s featured in many gamer gear arsenals for a reason — it performs. This SSD drive sports an attractive metal design that’s smaller than a deck of cards, and it comes in sizes up to 2 terabytes! Not only that, but the T5 features AES 256-bit hardware encryption along with password protection, ensuring your software’s safety. Plus, USB 3.1 delivers up to 10Gbps transfer rates for the fastest gaming on the market.
Snapshot:
- Works with PC, Mac
- 250GB-2TB storage capacity
- USB-C 3.1 technology
- Compact design, password protection, durable build, and 3-year warranty
5. G-Technology G-Drive External Hard Drive
Our pick for best external hard drive for PC gaming & Mac gaming
The G-Drive is without a doubt one of the best external hard drives for gaming. Why? Well, it boasts USB 3.1, a sleek aluminum form factor, and easy plug-and-play connectivity. And that’s not to mention the best-in-class 10 terabytes of storage that can handle your entire game library… and then some. Plus, rest assured with a 3-year warranty that guarantees the safety and performance of this stellar unit.
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Snapshot:
Mac Gaming External Ssd Windows 10
- Works with PC, Mac
- 4TB-10TB
- USB-C 3.1 technology
- Stylish design, high capacity, USB power delivery, and more
External Drive Guide Part I: What is an External Hard Drive for Gaming?
An external hard drive for gaming is similar to a regular hard drive for gaming, except it’s uniquely designed to work outside of the computer chassis. This means that you can expand your storage capacity without the hassle of a full installation. Instead, you can keep your favorite titles and files on the external drive and plug it in via USB when you’re ready to play or make use of the data. It’s super convenient and the perfect solution for gamers short on storage space.
How Does an External Hard Drive for Gaming Work?
External hard drives for gaming utilize magnetism and movable internal components to read and write digital data. Picture the following. When the external hard drive is activated, the unit buzzes to life. At the top of the hard drive, a magnetic arm glides over a stack of magnetic rotating disks to communicate with the data storage bank below. The magnetic arm, aka the actuator, gathers the digital information for transfer. And since it’s an external drive, this information is then passed along via USB to the main hard drive for further action.
But are external hard drives good for gaming? The answer depends on the type you choose. Our list contains a number of powerful external hard drives that are outfitted with USB 3.0 and 3.1 for lightning-quick transfer rates. Naturally, they offer a number of benefits for your gaming setup.
External Drive Guide Part II: Benefits of External Hard Drives for Gaming
Let’s take a look at the top benefits of using an external hard drive for gaming:
- Convenient. External hard drives allow you to expand your storage capacity without fussing with the internal workings of the computer. This, combined with plug-and-play designs that are ready out of the box, make using external drives a breeze for everyday gamers.
- Works for PC & console. The best external hard drives for gaming are optimized to work with PCs and consoles. No matter how you choose to play, all your gaming needs are covered.
- Holds your Favorite Titles. The best external hard drives for gaming range in storage capacity, but many options offer 2TB or more of space! This is perfect for taking your whole game library wherever you go.
- Affordable. Starting at under $50, external hard drives are easy to use and ultra cost effective! What’s not to like?
Plus, each model comes with its own set of specifications like hardware encryption options, durable form factors, and USB-C 3.1 technology. But with so much variation, how do you choose the right drive?
External Drive Guide Part III: Choosing the Best External Hard Drive for Gaming
Choosing the best external hard drive for gaming can be tough. Let’s look at the main considerations for picking the perfect fit:
- Platform compatibility
- Storage capacity
- Transfer speeds
- Bonus features
- Price
First off, you need to be sure that your external hard drive can meet the needs of your gaming platform. While most hard drives work with PCs out of the box, be sure to check the product details if you’re a Mac or console gamer. Also, shoot for a model with 1TB or more of storage. Games are only growing larger in size, and it all adds up quickly.
As for transfer speeds? USB 3.0 is 10x faster than the previous generation, and USB-C 3.1 is even quicker. Naturally, the faster the transfer rate, the more fluid the gameplay. To that end, look for bonus features that can enhance your playing experience, and consider budgeting a little extra for your dream model.
External Drive Guide Part IV: How to Use an External Hard Drive for Gaming
Using an external hard drive for gaming is a straightforward process. Depending on your desired platform, it’s often as easy as plugging it in, transferring copies of your favorite titles to the drive, and launching into the game! For specific game platforms like Steam, or consoles like PS4 and Xbox, check the FAQs on the corresponding website for a quick guide.
If you’re a PC gamer, we’ve got a great visual guide lined up. HardwareCanucks over on YouTube walks you through the process of setting up and optimizing an external drive for gaming. In fact, he uses the Samsung T5 featured on our list for all his benchmark tests! Check it out:
Gaming on macOS is still not much of a 'thing' as many enthusiasts would like. In fact, iOS is a far better gaming platform in terms of sheer number of games than is macOS. However, you can get your gaming on if you are so inclined. If there is a will there's a way! So, if you have a Mac mini setup for use as a media center or a file server, why not add some gaming to the mix to get the most out of your $799 investment? Here's how!
Some caveats
Although I'll be setting up my Mac mini in my living room as an entertainment hub that will offer movies, TV, and gaming, I'd be lying if I said that this was an all-in-one solution. Although many aspects of the Mac mini on its own could be used for gaming, I'll be recruiting the help of some extra hardware and non-Mac software to get us to the point where we can use the Mac mini as a proper gaming hub.
The hardware
2018 Mac mini
For our 'ultimate' gaming Mac mini, I'll be buying the lowest end 2018 Mac mini for $799 Apple. This comes with:
- 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor
- 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 128GB PCIe-based SSD storage
I know what you're thinking. I can feel your look. Those specs aren't powerful enough to run the latest games. The GPU and CPU is way too weak, and the storage space is far too small. Well, you're correct for most modern games. Not only will we be adding some hardware to the mix, we'll also setup some gaming software that the Mac mini is able to play right out of the box. So sit tight.
We'll be connecting the Mac mini to a 5K display with a gigabit ethernet wired connection to my network. You'll get better performance out of this lowest end Mac mini if you limit your resolutions to 1080p but you can decide if higher resolutions are worth the performance hit.
External Ssd Reviews
External SSD (optional)
Extra disk space is completely optional depending on your needs. If you have an external NAS or are simply very good at managing your disk space (installing a single game and uninstalling it when no longer in use to save space), you can get away with not having to add external storage. In my case, I have both a Synology Diskstation, $370 on a gigabit ethernet connection and a Samsung 500GB thunderbolt 3 portable ssd, $299.
External GPU (optional)
If you want to play more modern macOS versions of 3D games, then you'll need a more powerful GPU. macOS Mojave has added excellent eGPU support for AMD Polaris and Vega GPUs right out of the box supported directly by Apple. You can also optionally add Nvidia GPUs but will be beholden to the company for driver updates and support.
You needn't add an eGPU if you plan on using the Mac mini for either emulated console and arcade games from yesteryear, or if you plan on streaming all of your games from a more powerful computer (we show you how shortly).
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I do plan on running native macOS games directly from the Mac mini so I got Apple's own eGPU enclosure, $599. It comes with a mid-range AMD RX 580 GPU which is a good match for the Coffee Lake CPU's in our Mac mini. You plug it in to the TB 3 port on the back of the Mac mini, and Mojave just makes it work.
Gamepad
You can use a number of gamepads of your choosing. You can attach wireless bluetooth device such as the Steam Controller, a PS4 controller or even an Xbox One controller that supports Bluetooth. You can also use a regular USB wired gamepad that is Xbox compatible as well. If you plan on connecting via bluetooth, simply pair your controller to your Mac using the Bluetooth System Preference panel.
Windows Gaming PC (optional)
If you want to be able to play any game without limitations, you'll actually need a powerful Windows based PC somewhere on your network. We'll still be using the more aesthetically pleasing and living room friendlier Mac mini as our front-end, but the Windows PC will be our gateway to all things gaming. The PC I'll be using is running Windows 10 with a 6700k Intel Skylake CPU, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB SSD and a Nvidia GTX 1080ti.
The software
macOS Mojave
In order to get the best possible performance and compatibility, we'll be using macOS Mojave. Mojave offers support for the eGPU connected RX 580 without any configuring or hacking.
Xbox controller support
Download and install the open source 360Controller driver to be able to run your non-macOS native gamepads like the Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller. This will install a new System Preference panel that allows you to configure your gamepads. I strongly suggest to checkmark the Spoofing Preferences option to Pretend to be an Xbox 360 Controller under the Advanced tab if you don't actually have a true Xbox controller for compatibility purposes.
OpenEmu
OpenEmu is a multiple console and arcade machine emulator. It has a slick and easy to use interface where you and just drag and drop your supported game ROMs into the OpenEmu application and things get installed automatically. If you need M.A.M.E. support make certain you download the 'Experimental' version of the software. Download it. Run it. Use the wizard and install all defaults. That's it.
You can then configure your controllers per game or per emulated console. The lowest end Mac mini will likely run all of these types of games without the need of externally connected hardware like the eGPU or need copious amounts of disk space from an external SSD.
Configure your Gamepad settings as needed. Note that OpenEmu tries it's best to automatically bind the proper buttons to your selected gamepad.
Steam
For modern gaming, you'll likely want to install Valve's Steam platform. With Steam, you'll be able to buy and play a mountain of native macOS titles as well as a handful of pretty modern titles as well. If you opted to use a powerful Windows based PC on your network as well, you'll need to install Steam on both the PC and the Mac mini.
Simply download Steam and install it. Create an account and download your games. If using a networked PC to power your games, use the same account for both your Mac mini and your PC.
For a list of owned games that can run natively on macOS, Click Library > Mac. Once you install your macOS native game, make certain to set your eGPU (if you have one) as the preferred device for graphics. You'll need to find the installed game with Finder, Option-click the Application > Get Info and set the check box.
If you added an external SSD for more storage. Be certain to add your SSD as one of the default download directories for steam in Preferences > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.
To Stream games, you'll need the game installed on the machine that you'll be streaming from and on the Mac mini Steam client, click Stream to play the game. The PC will provide the power, you Mac mini will be the interface.
If you have an eGPU and you want to stream from a PC, you can enable more advanced streaming options in Steam Preferences > In home Streaming > Advanced Client Options. Here you can enable hardware decoding for better visual performance capabilities. (Note that at the time of this writing the ethernet cable was faulty. Wireless streaming was used so the performance through streaming was worse than expected).
Your Controllers should also be automatically configured in Steam.
You can enable Steam's Big Picture Mode to get a controller-centric interface where you can sit on your couch and use your controller input to navigate Steam.
Final comments
Above is a near no compromise gaming option for using your Mac mini as a gaming hub in your den or living room. It's ideal since it's sleek, very quiet, and is able to do things beyond gaming such as serving as a media player. Adding the ability to run emulators is an extra benefit as well as simply having a full blown OS at your disposal. The ability to stream via Steam and connect a controller via bluetooth makes this setup very unobtrusive. A more integrated option could have been to use my AppleTV but unfortunately, at this time, Apple has put the kibosh on the Steam Link App from Valve to be able to stream games through my AppleTV. Let's hope that Apple gets with the program on this and makes that happen. Let us know your comments or thoughts in the comments section!
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Fishing timeC.J.'s next Fishing Tourney will be in July
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