If you are getting fed up of waiting for the tracks to load on the new Gran Turismo 5 game and you own a “fat” PS3 console, there is a way to slash those times using a solid state drive (SSD) rather than the original standard SATA drive in your PS3.
Yes, SSDs are fairly expensive compared to standard SATA drives, but as you can see from the tests carried out below, the extra cost will buy you back hours of time, which would have otherwise been spent waiting for the GT5 game to load.
Testing was carried out by “Phil” on the Beyond3D forum using a “fat” PS3 fitted with a SSD and a slim fitted with a SATA HD. The results reveal that in many cases pre-race loading is cut by more than 50 percent, with the initial install of the game reduced from 42 minutes down to 25 minutes.
Why Choose an SSD for Your PS3?
Solid State Drives (SSDs) offer numerous advantages over traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). One of the most significant benefits is speed. SSDs have no moving parts, which means they can access data much faster than HDDs. This speed translates directly into shorter loading times for games, applications, and system boot-ups. For gamers, this means less time waiting and more time playing.
Moreover, SSDs are more durable and reliable. Since they don’t have mechanical parts, they are less prone to failure due to physical shock or wear and tear. This makes them an excellent investment for those who want to extend the lifespan of their gaming consoles.
Real-World Performance Improvements
The tests conducted by Phil on the Beyond3D forum provide a clear picture of the performance improvements you can expect when upgrading to an SSD. For instance, the initial installation time for Gran Turismo 5 was reduced from 42 minutes to just 25 minutes. This is a significant reduction, especially for gamers who are eager to jump into the action.
In addition to the initial install time, pre-race loading times were also dramatically reduced. In many cases, these times were cut by more than 50 percent. This means that instead of waiting for several minutes for a race to load, you could be up and running in just a fraction of that time.
Another example of the benefits of using an SSD can be seen in other games and applications. For instance, games like “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted” also experience faster loading times and smoother gameplay when run from an SSD. This is because SSDs can handle the high data throughput required by modern games more efficiently than traditional HDDs.
Furthermore, the overall system performance of the PS3 can be improved with an SSD. System updates, game patches, and even the XMB (XrossMediaBar) navigation become more responsive. This makes for a more enjoyable and seamless gaming experience.
While the initial cost of an SSD might be higher, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment. Not only do you save time, but you also enhance the overall performance and longevity of your PS3 console. For those who are serious about their gaming experience, upgrading to an SSD is a no-brainer.
Via Joystiq
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