You do not strictly need a second SSD, but separating Windows from your games and data is a smart, low-cost move. Here is when a second drive earns its place in an SA build.
Quick Answer
A second SSD is not required, but it is one of the cheapest quality-of-life upgrades you can make. Keep Windows on your fast boot drive and add a second NVMe or SATA SSD (a 2TB NVMe is around R2,600) purely for your game library and files, so a Windows reinstall never wipes them.
Why a separate games and data drive helps
Keeping Windows alone on the boot drive means a clean reinstall or OS problem never touches your games, projects or files on the second drive. It also keeps the boot drive less full, which helps SSDs stay fast. A 2TB Gen 4 NVMe (around R2,600) or a 2TB SATA SSD (around R1,800) gives plenty of room for a modern game library that easily passes 1TB.
When you actually need one
Add a second SSD when your boot drive is filling up, when you want games isolated from Windows, or when you keep large media or project files. If your single 1TB or 2TB drive has lots of free space and you reinstall Windows rarely, you can wait. The upgrade is most worth it the moment your boot drive passes about 75% full, where SSDs start to slow down.
Choosing the second drive in SA
For game storage, a 2TB Gen 4 NVMe is the sweet spot at around R2,600 — fast enough for any game and roomy enough for a big library. A cheaper SATA SSD (around R1,800 for 2TB) is fine for files and older games where peak speed matters less. Confirm your motherboard has a spare M.2 slot or SATA port before buying.
FAQ
Do I need a second SSD for my games?
Not required, but recommended. Keeping games on a separate drive protects them from a Windows reinstall and keeps the boot drive faster.
NVMe or SATA for a second drive?
NVMe for games you want loading fast; SATA is fine and cheaper for files and older titles. A 2TB NVMe (around R2,600) is the popular choice.
When should I add a second SSD?
When your boot drive passes about 75% full or you want games isolated from Windows. Below that, a single drive is fine.
Pro Tip
Keep Windows alone on the boot drive and put games on the second SSD — a future Windows reinstall then never touches your library.
Adding storage to your PC?
Compare 2TB NVMe and SATA SSDs at Evetech for a dedicated games and data drive.