Getting the most out of your external SSD: Gaming, editing, backup

An external or portable SSD is a high-performance storage drive that you can plug into your computer via the USB port in your PC, laptop, gaming console, mobile device and more. Unlike traditional hard drives with spinning disks, external SSDs use flash memory, which makes them faster, lighter and more durable. That means shorter waiting times for big files to transfer, easier transportation, and a drop or bump won’t instantly ruin your data.

They’re perfect for backups, video editing, gaming or accessing important files on the go. Compact, speedy and tough, a portable SSD is basically the storage sidekick you didn’t know you needed.

From streaming large video projects to expanding your gaming library, the use cases for external SSDs are almost endless. In this article, we’ll break down the top uses, benefits, as well as some frequently asked questions, to help you get the most out of your external SSD.

What are the key advantages of using external SSDs?

If you’ve ever waited a long time for a file to transfer or struggled with a bulky external hard drive, an external SSD can feel like a breath of fresh air. From lightning-fast transfers to rugged portability, these drives offer advantages that make them essential for work, gaming or creative projects. Here’s why they stand out.

The speed advantage of external SSDs

When we talk about how fast external SSD speeds are, we really mean it. Drives like the XS2000 external SSD can reach read/write speeds of 2,000MB/s, leaving traditional spinning hard drives far behind. That kind of performance makes transferring large video files, high-resolution images and game libraries quick and easy. For video editors, gamers and anyone with demanding workloads, an external SSD is a necessity. Faster access means more productivity and less waiting around for files to catch up.

Portability, durability and backup for on-the-go use

One of the biggest advantages of an external SSD is how easy it is to carry without fear. They are compact and rugged, which makes these drives ideal for travel, mobile work or safely backing up data away from your OS. Most external SSDs can handle bumps, drops and minor spills, keeping your data safe even when your coffee cup isn’t.

Seamless compatibility: plug, play and go

External SSDs are built to work across devices with minimal setup, so you can move files between laptops, desktops and even consoles effortlessly. Forget about messy drivers or compatibility headaches, an external SSD simplifies your workflow while boosting speed and efficiency.

Is it safe to play games installed on a portable external SSD?

Today, video games are bigger than ever, and not just in scope, but in their file sizes too. Many titles start at 100GB, with frequent updates that can range from a few hundred megabytes to over 30GB. With libraries growing so quickly, it’s becoming more challenging to keep all your gaming library in one space.

That’s where external SSDs come into play. Gamers are now turning to these drives for extra storage, and to migrate their game libraries off their internal storage. For PC gamers, this is a great way to expand your storage and play games directly, while also keeping gaming saves backed up elsewhere.

However, when it comes to consoles, things are a little different. While you can store your games on your external SSD, you cannot always play from it directly. For example, on the Xbox Series S or X, you can’t play Series S or X games directly from an external SSD, they have to live on the internal drive or the official expansion card. The good news is that backwards-compatible titles from the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and even the original Xbox will run those games from an external SSD.

The same goes for the PlayStation 5. You will also have to transfer games back to the PS5 in order to play them, but PlayStation 4 titles can launch straight from an external SSD without a problem.

How else can I use the external SSD?

If you’ve already tried an external SSD for gaming, you know how much faster and smoother it makes the experience. But gaming is only one of many areas where an external SSD proves useful. From creative projects to professional work, these drives are versatile tools that can improve speed, reliability and convenience in everyday tasks.

External SSD for business and travel

For professionals, an external SSD for business is a reliable way to carry documents, presentations and project files. Its slim size makes it easy to pack, while its speed ensures that data can be accessed or updated quickly, even without an internet connection.

Backing up and organising media collections

Using an external SSD for organising media libraries lets you keep your photos, videos and music files neatly structured and safe. By creating a clear folder hierarchy (e.g. Photos → Year → Event) and using consistent file names, you can turn your external SSD into a reliable media hub for photos, videos, music and documents.

External SSD for video editing

High-resolution video files take up a lot of space and demand serious performance. With an external SSD, you can edit and compile footage directly from the drive. No more moving files off the external HDD onto your desktop or laptop, and back again. That saves a huge amount of time and keeps your workflow smooth, so you can edit and export your footage anywhere, whether on a plane or in the car between shoots. When your external drive keeps up with the speed of your internal one, like the XS2000, it feels like a seamless part of your system.

External SSD backups for photographers

Photographers often need to back up large RAW files quickly, especially when travelling. An external SSD backup provides both speed and portability, making it easy to secure your files wherever you may be. This way, you will be able to save time throughout your travels, while still being able to complete your projects on the move.

Can I store and run applications on an external SSD?

External SSDs are a great way for people with varied interests such as content creators, freelancers or anyone juggling multiple projects, to carry their apps and files between different computers, freeing up internal storage and keeping their workflow portable.

Running your apps from an external or a portable SSD is also useful when you're working across multiple machines, need to free up space on your internal drive or want a portable work setup.

Overall, external SSDs offer a flexible and speedy way to manage apps across different devices and projects. However, some applications, such as system utilities or those with deep OS integration, may not run optimally from external drives, so we recommend checking compatibility before installing.

Does an external SSD read/write as fast as an internal SSD?

While internal SSDs generally offer the fastest speeds thanks to direct motherboard connections, external SSDs can still deliver impressive read/write speeds through USB ports.

Internal NVMe SSDs, particularly the latest PCIe 5.0 models, can hit read speeds of up to 14,800MB/s, far exceeding most external options. However, high-quality external SSDs provide more than enough speed for everyday workflows while adding portability and easy access across multiple devices.

Overall, while an internal drive might win on raw speed, external or portable SSDs strike a great balance between performance, portability and reliability.

How can I protect sensitive information on an external SSD?

To protect sensitive information on an external SSD, start with encryption. Kingston IronKey VP80ES includes built-in FIPS 197-certified XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption to keep your data safe without any hassle. Its auto-lock feature adds security when the drive is idle, which is perfect for your peace of mind when you're on the move or working in shared spaces.

It also includes secure-erase capabilities to wipe all data and encryption keys if needed. These features make the IronKey VP80ES great for photographers, videographers and creative professionals who need secure, portable storage for sensitive files and media.

Maximise the benefits of your external SSD

External SSDs offer a range of benefits, whether you are a content creator, gamer or just looking to expand your storage, external drives are a great way to keep your files in order and allow you not to feel as restricted by your internal storage capacity.

With the combination of speed, portability and security, external SSDs give you the freedom to work, play and create from anywhere. Investing in one ensures your workflow stays smooth and your files stay safe, no matter where your projects take you.