Do you need an optical drive for a gaming computer?

[technoob1]

I am planning to build a gaming PC at a moderate budget, but when picking out parts, I started to wonder if an optical drive is even necessary. I plan on using a USB stick to install Windows.

 

Thanks!

[Electronics Wizardy]

not needed. You can installed games and the os off the network.

[minibois]

If you're not gonna use it, you're not gonna need it. Simple as that.

[GeorgeKellow]

Nah not really these days 

[treeroy]

It's not needed at all. Though personally I wouldn't want a high end computer without that capability. You could always try without one and then if you miss it, just buy one (they are super easy to install).

[kurtstir]

2 minutes ago, technoob1 said:

I am planning to build a gaming PC at a moderate budget, but when picking out parts, I started to wonder if an optical drive is even necessary. I plan on using a USB stick to install Windows.

 

Thanks!

Personally I like having atleast one. They are great if you ever play old games, also if you want to burn cds or add cds to your itunes library. Great if you dont have a dvd player or dont want to leave your room to watch a movie. And there are some software which require physical disk to run.

[Dayen]

GOTTA HAVE DEM OPTICAL DRIVES

[SCHISCHKA]

i have lost all of my games on CD & DVD but I still have all of my steam games. Also steam games are more compatible and up to date than games purchase on retail media.

[MrMonteCristo]

If you have a lot of CDs or DVDs that you use often, then I would say you do need it. But if you don't, then you don't really need it. It really just depends on if you still use CDs and DVDs a lot. These days, most if not everything can be downloaded online. Such as games can be downloaded from stuff like Steam and Origin. 

 

What I do, since I do have a few things on CDs is I bought a cheap Samsung USB external optical drive. I just pull it out and plug it in when I need it (Which is very rarely).

 

Hope that helps!

[Ryoku]

38 minutes ago, technoob1 said:

I am planning to build a gaming PC at a moderate budget, but when picking out parts, I started to wonder if an optical drive is even necessary. I plan on using a USB stick to install Windows.

 

Thanks!

I don't have one, Haven't used a disc in probably close to 10 years.