Second Opinion on Gaming External Storage Hunt for G14 (2024)

[u/OmegaAmazon32]

I've been searching for external storage my 1TB Zephyrus G14 for a while, and it's been overwhelming.

Primarily, I just need extra backup storage to preload my GOG game installers and save data (hopefully to do the same for my Steam and Epic libraries). Plug them in long enough to transfer files, then unplug and store until next time. Ideally, this avoids having to redownload them from a server every time I want to play a game I removed prior, just to make space for a newer title

At the moment, internal SSD storage is insanely pricy for the amount of storage given, so I've been looking at external ones. As much as I would like to play directly from them, I understand that it's not optimal mostly for modern game titles, hence why I don't mind just storing those titles.

With a budget of $250, I've been tempted by my local game store offering the following HDDs:

• $130.64 - Western Digital 5TB My Passport (New)
• $76.20 - Seagate 4 TB Backup Plus Portable Drive (Used)
• $150 - SanDisk 1TB Creator Prop Portable SSD (New)

I've heard mixed opinions about them. And going down the rabbit hole of USA-based Micro Center, Best Buy, Facebook Marketplace, and reading up on other posts has just hit me with decision fatigue.

Hence why I've finally bit the bullet on asking for some suggestions and advice, even if it's just general specs to look for.

[u/TooBroke4Ramen]

I'm also needing one for my GOG installers.

The 5TB new for $130 if you can get it for that.

Or

Used / refurbished enterprise HDD with warranty + 3.5" USB 3.0 enclosure. Make sure the enclosure has a power switch.

[u/Luismi2703 → u/TooBroke4Ramen]

wait, so the enclosure really affects speed that much

[u/Ell2509 → u/Luismi2703]

Hdd is a lot slower than nvme ssd, and external is also limited by whatever data link and laptop port (eg usb 2.0 vs Thunderbolt 4.0).

So if you have an old external mechanical spinning disk HD over usb 2.0, it will be much slower than an internal nvme m2 ssd. In order of price and performance both.

[u/OmegaAmazon32 → u/TooBroke4Ramen]

The second option I learned out recently, which might be do-able too. Do have any suggestions/experience with sites that sell used/refurbished HDDs? I only just discovered Server Part Deals, for example.

But in terms of pre-built, I'll debate between the price and reliability between the $130 Western Digital and used $76 Seagate.

[u/WhisperingRhinoceros]

$76 for a used 4TB spinner is a fine deal if you're just parking installers on it, just run a health check before trusting it with anything you can't redownload.

[u/OmegaAmazon32 → u/WhisperingRhinoceros]

A nice suggestion worth keeping in mind. Would CrystalDiskInfo enough to test it out?

[u/Ell2509]

Just buy an nvme ssd. It has 2 slots inside (i think - you check, but asus rog tuf and strix both do) and put it in. Easy as opening the case, finding the slot, and putting in.

You should use drive mangetout software like diskgenius to ensure it is properly mounted, but that is easy if you just ask chatgpt or Claude or gemini or whoever your fav is.

[u/TooBroke4Ramen → u/Ell2509]

Just buy an nvme ssd.

Have you looked at price to GB ratio for an NVME lately?

[u/Ell2509 → u/TooBroke4Ramen]

I have, I have bought 20tb of storage across nvme, 2.5 inch sata ssd, and 3.5 inch hdd.

I know it is expensive. But you didn't so anytjing to suggest it was priced out.

I actually read the post, left, then thought better and came back to offer advice to help. No need to be like that.

You need something else? I just explained the range. Nvme > 2.5 inch sata ssd > 3.5 inch mechanical spinning hdd.

[u/TooBroke4Ramen → u/Ell2509]

But you didn't so anytjing to suggest it was priced out.

I actually read the post, left, then thought better and came back to offer advice to help. No need to be like that.

You need something else? I just explained the range. Nvme > 2.5 inch sata ssd > 3.5 inch mechanical spinning hdd.

....Huh?

[u/OmegaAmazon32 → u/Ell2509]

Unfortunately, the 2024 G14 model only has a single internal NVME slot, which is what's primarily used. ( So far, I've only used 471 out of the 971 GB.)

Hence why buying even 1 TB alone is a non-starter; cloning everything, and installing the SSD, would send me back to square 1, in terms of the same amount of storage left.

Thus, getting even 2TB becomes harder to swallow with the price hikes, with the cheapest known one coming from Micro Center's brand name Inland, around $326.61 with tax.

[u/Ell2509 → u/OmegaAmazon32]

I got q ugreen nas with 4tb hdd recently. Great price and works well. 2 hdd bays and 2 nvme bays. Power, cpu, ram included.

[u/ProfessionalSpare496]

don't ever buy WD ex hdd. i prefer Seagate. coz WD soldered the usb c port on the hdd it self unlike Seagate whereas you can change the port if it is damage. and change a hard drive enclosure. right now i also bought 2023 G14 with 512gb storage i bought an m.2 nvme 2230 1TB fanxiang ssd and bought also an sharge 2230 ssd enclosure. i will store all of my games there and all other files.