256GB SDD too small?

shanls96 · July 2019

would this really be too small just to install my sims games on? Am I really better off installing sims on my HDD and will I see MUCH difference in performance in using the HDD to the SSD..

I’ve already spoke to a few on the forums about the sizing issue but I’m thinking if I dedicate the SSD to sims could it work?

ChelleJo · July 2019

Yeah, it's really too small. Some programs will not let you choose what drive to install on. And you need to leave 20% of your drive with free space so it can operate properly. And if you start adding CC and mods, not to mention future packs and whatnot, that 256GB sounds like a lot, but it's really not.

After windows 10 and what not, you might have closer to 200GB, and then leave 50GB free and open to operate, that's down to 150. That's really not a lot of space.

There has been many people that felt that 256GB was enough, until they started gaming and ended up having to transfer to their bigger HDD cause it's not enough.

As a reference:

That's my 1TB SSD. Which isn't a full 1000GB, but ends up being 930GB, and I only have Sims 4 and required programs on my SSD. I'm using around 233GB, which would put a 256GB SSD in the "too full" zone, or even completely full, depending on what the size shows.

I haven't installed all my stuff back on my computer since my last round of upgrades, so I only have Sims 4 on my SSD.

So_Money · July 2019

In my experience (I have TS4 installed on a 500GB SSD) startup is a lot faster but the load times when travelling around the map aren’t as fast as you would expect.

In short, TS4 doesn’t benefit from an SSD as much as some of the other games I play.

And definitely go bigger than 256GB for future DLCs and CC.

shanls96 · July 2019

No problem thanks for the feedback guys! I’m sure it will be fine to run on HDD for now although if I do eventually upgrade (which I will) is it quite easy to change the SSD in your PC? (I’m no expert)

Simburian · July 2019

There are some videos on line that show you how to do things like that, even with your own machine make and number. I found one for an older laptop (exact laptop) which even showed which screws to take out and in which order when replacing a hard drive! It's worth checking them out on a Search engine using your specifications. It might be that you are limited because of them. My latest is upgradeable but I probably would take it to a recognised specialist as it is still in warranty.

Colton147147 · July 2019

If using it for your operating system and gaming, it is too small. However, if it is just for gaming - it can be fine, but I recommend going with 500GB.

IceyJ · July 2019

It'll work if you only install the operating system and TS4, and use a second drive for everything else. (That's my current setup.) My loading times in the game have improved significantly.

You still may find yourself running out of space, eventually. Especially if you install any other programs. I'm often checking my storage usage to see where the extra space went and delete/uninstall anything I don't need.

icmnfrsh · July 2019

As someone who used to have a 240 GB SSD at work, let me tell you that the C drive fills up REALLY fast. Even if you say that it'll only contain your OS stuff. You'd have to do some computer wizardry to change the location of your user folder to another drive, because that folder grows in size faster than you think. Unless you don't plan to use the computer for much else, I guess. It depends on your usage habits

izecson · July 2019

It is average, but in no way too small.. use it only to install your OS and games that requires faster load time, the rest of softwares can go to the HDD, also limit windows creating shadowcopy for the ssd.

Sha2520032003 · July 2019

@shanls96 - I think it really comes down to personal preference. I have a 256GB SSD gaming laptop. I have all the packs. My game loads pretty fast, and I dont' really have issues with load times when traveling. But I only use the computer for gaming. My previous computer was a HDD, it was slow in my opinion for running TS4. & I had so much space when I got rid of that computer as I really didn't use or need all that space, so that's why I opted for the 256GB SSD this time around.

So if you're planning on using the computer as your main OS plus gaming & you plan on doing a lot of gaming, you may want to get more space, as previous people mentioned. I'd recommend just doing some research to see what is the best fit for you.

FurSimsOfficial · July 2019

I have 125 GB SSD & 1 TB HDD which is very useful. I recommend installing programs and games on a SSD, cause it it smoother and faster. I use the HDD for storage. All my sims 4 games (And I have all of them) are installed on the 125 GB SSD, so it does fit, but then I also have 1 TB where I save all my regular files on. If you wanna use this device only for the sims game it would be enough, but if you want to use it for other programs, files etc. It is a bit short in space.

It of course depends on your lifestyle and how much programs, other games and files you save or install on your device.

Goldmoldar · July 2019

For me, yes 256 GB SSDs are small by todays standard as well as 250 GB traditional hard drives are as the programs are getting bigger in size. However they are not useless though as I tend to use them for small games and such. I tend to call small drives whether SSD or THHD mosquito drives. One thing to keep in mind and a little off topic becare of erasing and rewriting to SSDs as they do not store like traditional HHDs. I use 500 GB and over when it comes to SSDs. Some SSDs cost more and some cost less as there are different types of modes in SSDs. 1 TB SSDs are becoming cheaper these days as I got mine for $120 and the same one is probably cheaper now also I tend to have dual SSDs in my systems along with HHDs.

SimTrippy · July 2019

It depends.

If you only play TS4: yes, it's most likely enough. Currently, all of TS4 takes up about 35 GB on my system (although for the most part, I play a vanilla game, so there's not a lot of CC/mods clogging up space here - but 35 = base + all currently available DLC installed).

If you only play sims-games: it'll probably still be enough. Especially if you decide to install only one on your SSD and the rest on the HDD (I don't even think TS2/3 benefit all that much from being on an SSD, but I might be wrong). I only have 4 on my SSD currently & 3 + 4 on the HDD. I somehow doubt I'd notice much of a difference if I had put 4 on the HDD instead (loading aside), but I'd have to test it first to really have a reliable opinion on that.

If you play a lot of games: it could still be enough, honestly, especially if you only put one or two games on the SSD - that is, games that actually benefit from running on one (like to reduce hitching in open-world games). But, still, at this point, given that you're playing a lot of games & that SSDs are generally more energy-efficient, smoother and quieter, I'd probably consider going with a slightly larger one anyway. Although I'd still keep some games on the HDD.

All that being said: keep in mind that SSDs are mostly only good for reduced load times (including in-game loading), but don't otherwise impact in-game performance all that much. For TS4, especially, the most important thing for performance is your CPU.

Hope that helps!

dorcsyful · July 2019

If you have a dedicated SSD for the Sims games only then it should be enough. With an OS and other stuff on it not really. I have a 256 GB SSD in my laptop and it's really too small for all my uni apps and a few games.

LadyEve · July 2019

Hello from Austria *waves*

Well, I hope that I'm right here and you can help me: I need a new pc and to be honest in technical things I'm a newbie. I have 3 offers but I don't know which is the best for games like Sims 4 (with all addons and tons of cc/mods) and also online games like "The Elder Scrolls Online".

Therefore here some infos about the 3 pcs and maybe someone can tell me which would be the best to buy:

1) Ultra 8-Kern DirectX 12 Gaming-PC Computer FX 8300 8x4.20 GHz Turbo - GeForce GTX1050Ti 4GB DDR5-16GB DDR3 1600-1TB HDD - Windows10 Prof - DVD±RW

2) Intel Core i7 Monster Gamer mit 3 Jahren Garantie! | Intel i7 3770, 8 Threads, 3.9 GHz | 16GB | 512GB SSD + 4 TB | Geforce GTX 1650 4 GB DDR5 | USB 3.0 | DVD±RW | WLAN | Win10 | MS Office |

3) Gaming PC Intel Core i5-8500 6 x 4.10GHz GeForce GTX1050Ti 16GB DDR4 2400 1TB HDD Windows 10 Gamer pc Computer Desktop pc High End Gaming pc Gaming Computer

If someone needs more infos pls. send me a PM...I can give you the link to the pages direct.

Many thanks in advance and pls. forgive me any English mistakes - it's not my native language.

Best regards

Eve

Goldmoldar · July 2019

Hmmm, the 3770 is good and the I5-85 looks better even though it lacks an SSD and has an smaller drive but beyond that the I5 is better as it has an 8th Generation CPU and the memory is DDR 4 in which the 3770 is an third Generation CPU uses DDR 3 which is older tech. But what it comes down to is the cost for each. The AMD 8300 I avoided because it is now dated as I do possess an 8350 and 8370. The 3770 is dated as well but the good thing about the I7s they age well and still can pack an punch and I did use the 3770K and had an good time with it. If you do wish to get an SSD or even an bigger HHD you can do so at an later time if you wish. But ultimely it is going to be your choice and you have to choose new tech or old tech and which one is going last the longest and what are the game developers asking for and at least try to get close as you can.

Elaineenicolee · July 2019

I just went through this whole ordeal when setting up my computer. At first I put everything on my SSD C drive, which was the same size. It filled up really quick, and my whole PC was running slower.

I ended up moving all my docs & my sims game to my 1 TB hhd. My sims game immediately ran faster. It was kinda a pain to set up because I originally set my documents to merge with OneDrive, so I ended up having to do a factory reset and set the files to save only on the PC. But hey it works great now.

As for @LadyEve I’d say the 2nd computer w/ an i7 processor sounds better at first glance. Especially if it has 4 tb on the hhd. 4 tb sounds like way more space than you’ll need. I’m not 100% sure of the quality for the 1st computer, but the 3rd computer seems to be weaker than the 2nd. I’d only consider the 3rd if it’s significantly cheaper and you’re on a budget.

LadyEve · July 2019

Goldmoldar · July 2019

For me, the third would be best as the tech used is within todays tech as the 8500 is the 8 generation and can game very well. The 3770 is an older CPU and Yes, it is an I7 but is an 3rd Generation CPU and the memory used is not better than the memory used on the 8500. It is easy to go with the I7 and the specs it has but I tend to look beyond that and buy what is going to be around the longest. You may be able to get by the I7 for an a while however time may not on its side as the tech is getting older The I7 can still pack an punch but its punch may not be as strong as when it first came out. The I7s are strong but unless you into crunching numbers or rocket science that may be excellent but I5s can help you get your gaming on. However it is going to be an purchase that must be carefully thought out and cost may play into your consideration. If you ask me I would go with three if you can do w/o an SSD or bigger hard drive which you can add on later if your budget allows it. I do believe the I5-8500 though is going to be higher as it is an 8th generation CPU

So_Money · July 2019

@LadyEve

I’ll be honest, none of those choices thrill me. I mean, the only i7 option has a six or seven year old processor. I’m not dropping a significant amount of money on a processor that old.

I’d rather have the i5 even though the 1050ti is kind of meh.

LadyEve · July 2019

@So_Money Not good to read...not good ;(

I need a new PC and over 700 Euro I can't go. So there are these 3 *is thinking*

shanls96 · July 2019

QUICK QUESTION

so I took everyone’s advice on board and I’m gonna use my HDD for sims until I upgrade my SSD just for safety of space.

My pc arrived today and my C drive is the SSD. I’ve moved all locations for origin to install on D Drive (HDD) but is there a way to get my Electronic Arts folder to be on the D drive?

ChelleJo · July 2019

shanls96 wrote: »

QUICK QUESTION

so I took everyone’s advice on board and I’m gonna use my HDD for sims until I upgrade my SSD just for safety of space.

My pc arrived today and my C drive is the SSD. I’ve moved all locations for origin to install on D Drive (HDD) but is there a way to get my Electronic Arts folder to be on the D drive?

@shanls96 Here's a video explains how to move documents (and any other folder you want moved).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my7BOwjra-g

shanls96 · July 2019

@ChelleJo thank you! thank you also for putting up with my many questions over the past few weeks, you’ve honestly especially been so much help 😊

ChelleJo · July 2019

@shanls96 You're welcome

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256GB SDD too small?

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