How to test USB storage speed on a gaming PC

A USB drive can feel slow when you copy a game, save a recording, or move a folder of screenshots. On an entry-level gaming computer, it is not always clear whether the limit is the drive, the USB port, or other work happening on the PC.

Start with a repeatable read and write measurement, then compare ports and test conditions. USB & SD Speed Test checks removable storage directly. If the whole computer seems sluggish too, Test Everything can help check its other hardware, but it is not a replacement for a removable-drive speed test.

Test the USB drive

1. Open the USB & SD Speed Test. Connect the drive you want to check. Make sure important files are backed up and the drive has free space for testing.
2. If the browser asks you to choose a drive or grant access, select the removable drive you intend to test. Check that you have not selected a different storage device by mistake.
3. Run the test and note the reported read and write speeds. Read speed is how quickly data comes from the drive; write speed is how quickly data is saved to it.
4. Repeat the test once or twice under the same conditions. Close file transfers and other heavy tasks first, and avoid using the computer while the test runs.
5. Try a second USB port, connecting the drive directly to the computer rather than through a hub. Keep the drive and test conditions the same so the comparison is useful.

For a wider check of an entry-level gaming PC, use Test Everything separately. A problem in the computer's general performance does not prove that its USB storage is slow, and a fast USB result does not rule out a separate issue with the PC.

What the result means

The speed is close across repeated runs

Consistent results suggest the test setup is stable. Compare the measured read and write speeds with what you expect from that particular drive, not just the USB connector shape or a product's headline number. The drive's internal memory and controller can be the limit even when it is plugged into a fast port.

The result changes a lot between runs

Another task may be using the drive, the computer may be busy, or the drive may slow after its faster cache fills. Try again with other transfers paused. If results fall after a short burst, that can be a limit of the drive rather than a fault in the PC.

One port is much slower than another

The ports may use different USB generations, or one connection may go through a hub or front-panel cable. A port that looks like USB-C is not automatically faster than a USB-A port. Check the computer or motherboard specifications, and compare ports by testing the same drive in each one.

Write speed is much lower than read speed

This is common with inexpensive flash drives. Many can read data faster than they can write it, especially during a long transfer. If saving game recordings or large files is the main task, write speed matters more than read speed.

The test cannot access the drive

The browser may not have access to the selected location, or the drive may not be mounted by the operating system. Check that the drive appears in File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS, then retry the test and choose the correct drive if prompted.

How to fix slow results

1. Pause other transfers. Stop copying files, downloading large updates, or recording directly to the same drive. Background activity can make results uneven, especially on a low-cost drive.
2. Connect the drive directly. Try a rear motherboard port on a desktop instead of a front-panel port or an unpowered hub. If you need a hub, test both with and without it before deciding where the slowdown occurs.
3. Check the port and cable. For an external SSD, try a known data-capable cable and another port. A charging-only cable, damaged cable, or slower connection can limit transfer speed. Do not rely on connector color alone to identify port speed.
4. Check the drive's free space. A nearly full drive can behave differently from an empty one, and some flash storage slows during long writes. Keep a backup before deleting anything to make space.
5. Test with a consistent power mode. If you are using a Windows 11 gaming laptop, open Settings › System › Power & battery › Power mode and use the same mode for each comparison. On a Mac laptop, check System Settings › Battery and keep its power conditions consistent. These settings can affect the computer's overall behavior, but they cannot make a slow USB drive fast.
6. Restart and retest. Restarting can stop a stuck transfer or background process from affecting the result. Run the test again before changing drivers or formatting the drive.

When the drive or port may be faulty

Test the same drive on another computer, and test another drive in the suspect port. If one drive is slow in every port and on another computer, the drive is the likely limit. If different drives are slow only on one port, the port, hub, cable, or internal connection may be at fault.

Replace a drive that disconnects repeatedly, reports errors, or becomes unusually hot during ordinary transfers. Do not use a failing drive as the only copy of important files. If a built-in port fails with several known-good devices, check the computer's warranty or ask a repair shop to inspect it.

Why a speed test does not predict game load times

A read and write speed result is useful for comparing transfers, but it does not reproduce every storage task in a game. Opening many small files, loading assets, and installing updates can depend on other parts of the drive and the computer. A fast sequential read result therefore does not guarantee that a game will load quickly from that drive.

The test runs in your browser, and the storage data stays on your device. For a fair comparison, use the same drive, port, and computer conditions each time.