By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Gaming - External Hard Drive for consoles, is it a problem?

 

What console storage method is better?

Propietary Internal Hard Drive 20 17.24%
 
External Hard Drive 41 35.34%
 
Cloud Storage 5 4.31%
 
Non-Propietary Internal Hard Drive 50 43.10%
 
Total:116
Cobretti2 on 16 March 2013
BaldrSkies said:
Cobretti2 said:
BaldrSkies said:
The problem with the specific case of the Wii U is that it uses USB 2.0, which is just outrageously slow for the large data transfers required of modern games. Had Nintendo gone with USB 3.0 there would be no such issue. The fact of the matter is, combined with the lack of an ethernet port, it was a total cheap out that would have only slightly increased the cost of manufacture, but causes the console and the consumer suffering.

Also, the Xbox360 and PS3 both use 2.5" SATA drives, the same drives used in laptop computers. Not exactly difficult, although I believe it's necessary to do some modifications for the 360 drive.


USB 2.0 is fine. Fifa Demo is like 1.2gb and took about a minute or so to copy from internal memory.

But I agree would be nice to have USB 3.0 for the small increase in cost


Well 1.2gb is small first off, there's portable games larger than that. But I mean in terms of the ability to load data while playing a game. USB2.0's maximum rate of 480Mbit is slow compared to even ancient SATA 1.0 at 1.5Gbit, let alone the more modern SATA2.0 and 3.0 at 3Gbit and 6Gbit respectively. In practice USB2.0 can only effectively throughput about 300Mbit, and in many cases may even run slower depending on the drive. It's just a terrible system to load huge games like LEGO City onto.


well here is something funny. The demos I got actually load quicker of the external hdd than the flash memory inside. I personally haven't noticed any issues loading from USB 2.0, but I do agree that later on it may become an issue.



 

 

Around the Network
kain_kusanagi on 16 March 2013

For large storage I prefer internal and if possible non-proprietary. If that isn't an option external is ok.



BaldrSkies on 16 March 2013
Cobretti2 said:
BaldrSkies said:
Cobretti2 said:
BaldrSkies said:
The problem with the specific case of the Wii U is that it uses USB 2.0, which is just outrageously slow for the large data transfers required of modern games. Had Nintendo gone with USB 3.0 there would be no such issue. The fact of the matter is, combined with the lack of an ethernet port, it was a total cheap out that would have only slightly increased the cost of manufacture, but causes the console and the consumer suffering.

Also, the Xbox360 and PS3 both use 2.5" SATA drives, the same drives used in laptop computers. Not exactly difficult, although I believe it's necessary to do some modifications for the 360 drive.


USB 2.0 is fine. Fifa Demo is like 1.2gb and took about a minute or so to copy from internal memory.

But I agree would be nice to have USB 3.0 for the small increase in cost


Well 1.2gb is small first off, there's portable games larger than that. But I mean in terms of the ability to load data while playing a game. USB2.0's maximum rate of 480Mbit is slow compared to even ancient SATA 1.0 at 1.5Gbit, let alone the more modern SATA2.0 and 3.0 at 3Gbit and 6Gbit respectively. In practice USB2.0 can only effectively throughput about 300Mbit, and in many cases may even run slower depending on the drive. It's just a terrible system to load huge games like LEGO City onto.


well here is something funny. The demos I got actually load quicker of the external hdd than the flash memory inside. I personally haven't noticed any issues loading from USB 2.0, but I do agree that later on it may become an issue.


I never looked into the internal storage used in the Wii U, but a quick Google turned up some interesting results. Apparently the flash storage the Wii U uses is really slow, hard to call it a proper SSD. It's even slower than an external harddrive! No wonder people are complaining about 9+ hour updates onto internal storage for DQX beta. So yet another point Nintendo has cheaped out on for this system...

Some interesting tips to speed up your Wii U. Including storage testing. Looks like getting an ethernet adapter is not helpful, but it would probably help a bit with latency for actually playing online.

Breakdown of internal components including the storage component, which appears slapped directly onto the mobo.



KBG29 on 16 March 2013

In a perfect world, an internal standard SSD, and an external USB 3.0 SSD that is fully supported.



Stop hate, let others live the life they were given. Everyone has their problems, and no one should have to feel ashamed for the way they were born. Be proud of who you are, encourage others to be proud of themselves. Learn, research, absorb everything around you. Nothing is meaningless, a purpose is placed on everything no matter how you perceive it. Discover how to love, and share that love with everything that you encounter. Help make existence a beautiful thing.

Kevyn B Grams
10/03/2010 

KBG29 on PSN&XBL

JoeTheBro on 16 March 2013

An external HD should be supported but in no way required! It should only be an option for those demanding huge amounts of storage.

For everyone else who wants a nice looking setup the system should have expandable internal storage. This is just like the old memory cards. It's quick and simple, the average console owner wants it.



Links

Around the Network
Jay520 on 16 March 2013

I personally don't have a problem with it and I don't think many hardcore gamers will mind either. The problem will be with the more mainstream gamers who aren't quite as into digital distribution. These type of gamers will most likely be turned off by the extra hassle necessary. It'll look especially bad since the Wii U's competitors will have sufficient hard drive out of the box.

If Nintendo wants to attract masses to digital distribution, then they should make the process as easy & smooth as possible. Though to be honest, I'm not sure if that's one of Nintendo's priorities which is a problem in itself. With advancing standards in technology, Nintendo needs to raise their own standards to appear up-to-date to the consumer's eye.



platformmaster918 on 16 March 2013

Who would vote for a proprietary HDD over a non-proprietary one? lol




Get Your Portable ID!Lord of Ratchet and Clank

Duke of Playstation Plus

Warden of Platformers

cbarroso09 on 16 March 2013
BaldrSkies said:
Cobretti2 said:
BaldrSkies said:
Cobretti2 said:
BaldrSkies said:
The problem with the specific case of the Wii U is that it uses USB 2.0, which is just outrageously slow for the large data transfers required of modern games. Had Nintendo gone with USB 3.0 there would be no such issue. The fact of the matter is, combined with the lack of an ethernet port, it was a total cheap out that would have only slightly increased the cost of manufacture, but causes the console and the consumer suffering.

Also, the Xbox360 and PS3 both use 2.5" SATA drives, the same drives used in laptop computers. Not exactly difficult, although I believe it's necessary to do some modifications for the 360 drive.


USB 2.0 is fine. Fifa Demo is like 1.2gb and took about a minute or so to copy from internal memory.

But I agree would be nice to have USB 3.0 for the small increase in cost


Well 1.2gb is small first off, there's portable games larger than that. But I mean in terms of the ability to load data while playing a game. USB2.0's maximum rate of 480Mbit is slow compared to even ancient SATA 1.0 at 1.5Gbit, let alone the more modern SATA2.0 and 3.0 at 3Gbit and 6Gbit respectively. In practice USB2.0 can only effectively throughput about 300Mbit, and in many cases may even run slower depending on the drive. It's just a terrible system to load huge games like LEGO City onto.


well here is something funny. The demos I got actually load quicker of the external hdd than the flash memory inside. I personally haven't noticed any issues loading from USB 2.0, but I do agree that later on it may become an issue.


I never looked into the internal storage used in the Wii U, but a quick Google turned up some interesting results. Apparently the flash storage the Wii U uses is really slow, hard to call it a proper SSD. It's even slower than an external harddrive! No wonder people are complaining about 9+ hour updates onto internal storage for DQX beta. So yet another point Nintendo has cheaped out on for this system...

Some interesting tips to speed up your Wii U. Including storage testing. Looks like getting an ethernet adapter is not helpful, but it would probably help a bit with latency for actually playing online.

Breakdown of internal components including the storage component, which appears slapped directly onto the mobo.


Well, I don't have any issues as of yet. Yes, its download speed is not as fast as my computer, for sure.



pokoko on 16 March 2013

Allowing the use of an external HDD is a step in the right direction. Having a next gen system with 3GB of usable space is not. Imagine how that's going to play out when a kid asks his mom why he can't download a single game onto a Wii U when he can do it with his old PS3 or 360. It's going to lead to frustration and annoyance when she has to take him down to Wal-mart to shell out more money.

How much would it have cost Nintendo to put a small HDD inside the Wii U? $20 at the most? Sounds like a worthwhile investment to me.



Kyuubi Ricky SSJ2 on 16 March 2013

I don't mind having an external drive connected to the console but it is more convenient having a larger internal storage.