If you’ve ever felt the excitement drain from your body while staring at a never-ending loading screen, you’re not alone. Canadian gamers know this struggle all too well — especially during long winters when every second of gaming matters. Whether you’re battling through Far Cry 6, roaming the wilds of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, or exploring the massive world of Cyberpunk 2077, one thing is clear: loading times can make or break your gaming experience.
But is upgrading from an HDD to an SSD really worth it? Let’s break down the real differences and explore some of the best options available to Canadian players today.
The Slow Grind: HDD Load Times
Hard disk drives (HDDs) have been the default storage solution for decades. They’re reliable and offer huge capacities, but they rely on spinning disks — making them painfully slow at reading and writing large game files.
When playing massive open-world games, you might wait over a minute to enter the game world. For example, loading into Elden Ring on an HDD can take up to 70 seconds, while fast traveling across the map might keep you waiting an additional 20–30 seconds.
The Toshiba X300 series, such as the Toshiba X300 18TB or Toshiba X300 8TB, provides excellent storage for large libraries, but they’re best suited for archiving or storing media rather than gaming.
The Modern Leap: SSD Load Times
Solid-state drives (SSDs) don’t have moving parts. Instead, they use flash memory to deliver significantly faster read and write speeds — sometimes 10–20 times quicker than traditional HDDs. The result? Dramatically reduced load times and a smoother gaming experience overall.
For instance, with the WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD, games like Cyberpunk 2077 can boot in under 10 seconds, and fast traveling is nearly instantaneous. Similarly, the Kingston Fury Renegade NVMe SSD has been praised for transforming load-heavy games like Horizon Forbidden West, making them feel seamless and snappy.
Real-World Canadian Comparisons
Here’s what you might experience in practice:
- HDD: Booting Red Dead Redemption 2 — about 90 seconds; fast traveling — up to 40 seconds.
- SSD (e.g., WD_BLACK SN850X or Kingston Fury Renegade): Booting — around 10–15 seconds; fast traveling — under 5 seconds.
As a gamer in Toronto, I made the switch to the Lexar EQ790 NVMe SSD last year. The difference? I went from making coffee while loading into Call of Duty: Warzone to barely having time to check Discord. It’s that fast.
The Best SSD Options for Canadian Gamers
WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line speed (up to 7,300 MB/s), the WD_BLACK SN850X is built for gamers who refuse to compromise. It’s ideal for heavy AAA titles and multitasking between game streams and editing software.
Kingston Fury Renegade NVMe SSD
This powerhouse features up to 7,300 MB/s read speeds and a graphene heat spreader to keep things cool, making it a reliable choice for extended gaming sessions and high-end titles.
TEAMGROUP T-Force G70 PRO NVMe SSD
Blazing fast and ultra-stable, the T-Force G70 PRO offers read speeds of 7,400 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,800 MB/s. It’s perfect for Canadians who want to future-proof their rigs.
WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD
For gamers stepping into the world of SSDs, the WD_BLACK SN770 is a fantastic entry point, providing solid performance (up to 5,150 MB/s) at a great balance of speed and efficiency.
Lexar EQ790 NVMe SSD
Offering up to 7,000 MB/s read speeds, the Lexar EQ790 is a solid all-around choice, whether you’re focused on competitive gaming or immersive single-player adventures.
External SSD Solutions for Flexibility
Not every gamer wants to open up their PC case. Enter external SSDs — fast, portable, and easy to use. The SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD offers speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and is perfect for gamers who jump between consoles and laptops.
Similarly, the WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD delivers up to 2,000 MB/s in a rugged, travel-friendly form factor. Whether you’re heading to a friend’s house in Vancouver or setting up for a gaming night in Montreal, these external drives make it easy to bring your favorite titles anywhere.
HDDs Still Have a Place
While HDDs might be sluggish for gaming, they’re still a smart choice for backing up gameplay footage, storing older titles, or keeping an archive of media files. The Seagate FireCuda Gaming HDD brings an extra layer of style with RGB lighting, making it a solid choice for those who need extra capacity without sacrificing aesthetics.
Expert Tips for a Seamless Switch
- Install your most-played games first: Prioritize moving your biggest and most demanding games to your SSD to feel the immediate difference.
- Leave some space free: Keeping 10–20% of your SSD free helps maintain peak performance.
- Pair it with a good cooling setup: Especially for high-speed NVMe SSDs, proper airflow keeps your drive healthy and reliable.
The Verdict: Upgrade Your Adventure
In today’s gaming world, an SSD isn’t just a luxury — it’s almost essential. Whether you’re exploring massive open worlds, competing online, or modding your favorite RPG, the speed and responsiveness of an SSD will transform the way you game.
It’s the difference between endless loading screens and instant immersion, between frustration and pure adrenaline-fueled fun. Once you make the switch, you’ll wonder how you ever managed to game without it.
Looking for the perfect pick? Explore the top recommendations below while they’re still available – these won’t stay in stock for long.
![Best Prebuilt PCs in Canada for Work, School & Gaming [2025 Guide]](https://www.minerspc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/best-prebuilt-pcs-in-canada-for-work-school-gaming-2025-guide-260x140.jpg)
