hard disk drives Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 Dev Worked With Sony Studio Nixxes to Create a ‘Slim’ Version for PC That Reduces File Size From 154GB to 23GB

Arrowhead has optimized Helldivers 2 for PC users by collaborating with Nixxes to create a "slim" version that reduces the game's file size from 154GB to 23GB, a reduction of 131GB or 85%. This change is part of a public technical beta for PC players. Arrowhead assured that the smaller file size would not significantly impact loading times, with minimal increases for players using mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs). Real-world testing showed that loading times are more affected by level generation than asset loading. Recent data indicated that only 11% of players were using mechanical HDDs. After the beta phase, Arrowhead plans to make the slim version the default for all players and phase out the legacy version next year, coinciding with the release of the 5.0.0 patch that introduces new content.

Winsage

December 2, 2025

5 reasons your PC can feel slow after a Windows update, and how to fix each one

Large Windows updates involve reconfiguring system files, installing components, updating drivers, and initiating post-update tasks, which can temporarily slow down performance, especially on older hardware. The Windows Module Installer (TiWorker.exe) finalizes updates and may trigger cleanup and maintenance tasks, consuming CPU and disk resources. Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder performance, leading to sluggish boot times and reduced gaming frame rates. The indexing feature may intensify after a major update, increasing CPU and disk usage. Major updates can reset user-defined settings and reintroduce background processes and applications, causing additional resource consumption. Cumulative updates may lead to performance issues due to memory leaks or driver conflicts, and Microsoft provides a "Windows release health" dashboard for tracking known issues. Slowdowns after updates are typically temporary, lasting from a few minutes to several hours, but persistent issues may require further investigation.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Helldivers 2 Dev Explains Why The Game Takes Up So Much Space On PC

Helldivers 2 has a storage requirement of 150GB on PC, which is about three times larger than on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The large install size is designed to accommodate PC users with mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) by duplicating data to improve loading times, although this is unnecessary for users with solid state drives (SSDs). Current estimates suggest that around 12% of PC gamers still use HDDs, but reliable data on this is lacking. Arrowhead Game Studio plans to reduce the game's file size in an upcoming update and bundle common assets to minimize duplication, though this may slightly increase load times for HDD users. The studio aims to keep load times under 30 seconds and is also working on improving its engine and compression techniques. Additionally, Arrowhead's CEO expressed a commitment to the game's longevity rather than developing a sequel, and the studio is addressing various technical issues with planned updates.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

‘There are no easy solutions’: Helldivers 2 dev explains why PC version needs 3x more storage than consoles

The PC version of Helldivers 2 requires approximately 150GB of storage, which is three times more than the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. The larger install size is primarily due to the need to accommodate players using mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs), leading to the duplication of certain data files for quicker access during loading times. In contrast, most modern consoles and high-end PCs use solid-state drives (SSDs), which provide faster data access. About 12% of PC players still rely on HDDs, complicating optimization efforts. Arrowhead Game Studios plans a three-stage approach to address the storage issue, including an update to remove unused assets and exploring bundling frequently used assets. Future enhancements to the game engine may optimize RAM usage, but further improvements will require more extensive projects.