How Much Storage You Need for Modern Game Libraries

20 April 2025

Gaming has come a long way, hasn’t it? From those tiny cartridge games that weighed next to nothing in terms of storage to today’s massive AAA titles hogging gigabytes of your drive. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your console or PC with a message screaming “Not enough storage space,” you’re not alone. In fact, in this golden age of gaming, it’s a question most gamers are asking: How much storage do I actually need for my game library? Let’s dive right in and figure this out together.

The Storage Explosion: Why Games Are Getting Bigger

Gaming storage requirements have skyrocketed over the years. Why? Well, there are several reasons:

1. High-Quality Textures and Graphics
Back in the day, pixel art ruled the gaming world. Now, developers are working with ultra-realistic textures and 4K (sometimes even 8K) graphics. Higher resolution assets demand more space, and that’s one of the biggest contributors to bloated file sizes.

2. Open Worlds and Expansive Gameplay
Modern games often have gigantic, immersive environments. With open-world settings that let you explore every nook and cranny, these intricate maps are much more demanding on storage than a single linear level.

3. Voice Acting and Soundtracks
It’s not just about visuals, though. High-quality audio, full-blown orchestral soundtracks, and professionally voiced characters also eat up a chunk of disk space.

4. Frequent Updates and DLCs
Everyone loves new content, but updates, patches, and downloadable content (DLC) can pile on to a game’s already massive storage requirements. What started as a 50GB game might balloon up to 120GB within a year.

Modern Game Sizes: Breaking Down the Numbers

To get an idea of how much storage you’ll need, let’s take a look at the average storage requirements for modern games:

PC Games

- AAA Titles: Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Cyberpunk 2077 can easily surpass 100GB. Patch updates might add another 20–40GB over time.
- Indie Games: Indie games are generally smaller, with file sizes ranging from 500MB to 15GB.
- MMORPGs: These are storage hogs, often starting at 50GB and expanding well beyond 100GB with updates. Think World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV.

Console Games

- PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X|S: These consoles support ray tracing and 4K gaming, which means file sizes have shot through the roof. Titles like Halo Infinite or Horizon Forbidden West can easily eat up 80–120GB.

- Nintendo Switch: Switch games are generally smaller because they’re optimized for portability. Most fall between 4GB and 20GB, though bigger titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can hit 16GB.

Factors to Consider Before Deciding on Storage

When figuring out how much storage you need, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It really depends on your gaming habits, system, and priorities. Here are some things to consider:

1. How Many Games Do You Play at Once?

Are you the type who sticks to one or two games at a time, or do you juggle a dozen? If you’re a one-game-at-a-time player, you can probably get away with the minimum storage. But if you love cycling through a library of titles, you’ll need something far more substantial.

2. Digital or Physical Copies?

Physical copies usually take up less storage space since part of the game is run off the disc. Digital versions? They’ll live entirely on your system, hogging all the space they can.

3. Patches/Add-Ons

You may download a game expecting it to take up 60GB, only for the next patch to bump it to 100GB. Consider how often the games you play are updated or have new content dropped, as this will significantly impact storage needs.

4. Streaming vs Downloading

Services like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Nvidia GeForce Now allow you to stream games rather than fully install them. This could lighten the storage load, but you’ll need a stable internet connection for smooth gameplay.

Storage Options for Gamers

Now that you have a good sense of how much space modern games demand, let’s talk solutions. Whether you’re on PC, console, or both, there are plenty of storage options to fit your needs.

1. Internal Storage

Most consoles and PCs come with built-in storage, which is a good place to start. However, base models often come with limitations:
- PlayStation 5: 825GB SSD (usable space is closer to 667GB).
- Xbox Series X: 1TB SSD (usable space around 802GB).
- PC: Totally varies, but many pre-built systems ship with 500GB or 1TB SSDs.

If your internal drive is nearly full, it’ll also slow down your system performance. Not ideal, right?

2. External Hard Drives

External HDDs or SSDs are a lifesaver. They plug directly into your system and let you store a ton of games off your main drive. Popular choices include:
- HDDs: These are cheaper but slower. A 2TB HDD is affordable and can store dozens of titles.
- SSDs: Faster but pricier. They’re a great option for loading modern games quickly.

3. Cloud Storage

Some platforms offer limited cloud storage for save data or game files. While convenient, cloud storage doesn’t replace physical storage on your system. It’s more like a safety net for your saves.

4. Upgrading Internal Storage

On PCs, upgrading internal storage is straightforward. Just pop in a new SSD or HDD, and you’re good to go. For consoles, the process is a bit trickier. For instance:
- PlayStation 5 supports M.2 SSDs, but only specific ones that meet Sony’s requirements.
- Xbox Series X|S offers proprietary expansion cards that aren’t exactly cheap.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Alright, let’s get to the big question: how much do you actually need? Here’s a quick breakdown based on gaming habits:

Casual Gamer

- Storage Recommendation: 500GB – 1TB
- If you play only a few games at a time and don’t mind uninstalling older titles when you’re done, a smaller drive should suffice.

Enthusiast

- Storage Recommendation: 2TB – 4TB
- For gamers who cycle through a large library and love dabbling in AAA titles, storage in this range will keep you from having to constantly delete and reinstall.

Hardcore Gamer/Content Creator

- Storage Recommendation: 5TB+
- Streamers, content creators, and hardcore gamers need space for everything: games, DLCs, updates, raw video footage, and more. Invest in a large SSD or external HDD to keep your setup running smoothly.

Tips for Managing Storage Like a Pro

No matter how much storage you have, it’s always a good idea to optimize. Here are some tips:
1. Uninstall What You Don’t Play
Haven’t touched that game in six months? It’s probably safe to uninstall.
2. Archive to External Drives
Keep the games you rarely play on an external hard drive so they aren’t clogging up your main storage.
3. Use Compression Tools
Some platforms allow you to compress files or customize what gets installed (e.g., single-player vs multiplayer modes).
4. Check Storage Regularly
Make it a habit to monitor your free space, so you aren’t caught off-guard when the next big update drops.

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, how much storage you need depends on your gaming style, system, and future plans. But one thing’s for sure: as games continue to get bigger, storage demands will grow too. Think of your storage like a closet. Do you want to cram it full till it barely shuts, or would you rather have room for new additions? Choose wisely, my friend.