Splitting a game library between a hard drive and a solid-state drive works fine until you start moving files back and forth. Seagate’s FireCuda Forge puts both storage types in one desktop enclosure, with the SSD acting as a cache for the hard drive to remove that chore. The hard drive comes in 8TB or 20TB capacities. The SSD is yours to supply.
This desktop storage enclosure has no interest in disappearing behind a monitor. Its angled top panels and heavily grooved sides give it a gaming-PC presence, and programmable RGB lighting runs along the edges. Anyone who wants a quiet box out of sight will find it hard to ignore.
Inside, the SSD handles ssd caching rather than serving as a drive you assign files to. Seagate says its Alkemi technology tracks how you use the system and moves frequently accessed data onto the flash. The hard drive holds everything else. Your computer sees one volume, and the SSD adds nothing to the total, so an 8TB unit stays 8TB after you install flash.
This setup suits someone who plays one title for several weeks before switching to another. You skip the decision about which games earn the fast drive, and the enclosure adjusts as your habits change. A video editor working on current projects while keeping older footage on hand could benefit the same way. The point is less manual sorting, not uniform speed for every file.
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Setting up your hard drive ssd cache
Setup starts with hardware. Seagate specifies an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, a compact stick-shaped drive that connects over PCIe, with PCIe Gen3 or newer connectivity and a 1TB maximum capacity. The box includes a mounting screw, thermal pads, and a hex screwdriver. The SSD is not optional, though. Without one, the system will not run.
Choosing your own flash for the cache gives you flexibility, along with one more purchase to plan for.
Over USB4, a high-speed external connection standard, Seagate advertises reads up to 2,500 MB/s and writes up to 2,000 MB/s on compatible systems. These are advertised maximums, not guarantees of how fast any game or file will load. A title stored only on the hard drive will not suddenly load like one on flash.
Seagate also notes that newly added data may not gain speed right away. The cache needs time to see how you use the files before it promotes them.
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The Forge also needs desk space. The 8TB model measures about 9.46 by 5.78 by 2.57 inches and weighs roughly 4.1 pounds. It requires an external power adapter alongside its USB-C cable. Seagate says the hard drive is upgradeable, which leaves room to add capacity later.
Seagate’s announced prices start at $699 for the 8TB model and $899 for the 20TB model. Those figures exclude the M.2 SSD you must add. If you already own a compatible drive, the total cost is easier to justify. Otherwise, automatic file placement requires a second purchase before the system works at all.
H/T yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
Does the SSD in the FireCuda Forge add to the total storage capacity?
No, the SSD adds nothing to the total capacity. An 8TB unit stays 8TB after you install flash, because the SSD works as a cache for the hard drive.
Is an SSD included with the Seagate FireCuda Forge enclosure?
No, the SSD is not included and you must supply it yourself. Seagate specifies an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen3 or newer connectivity and a 1TB maximum capacity, and the system will not run without one.
How much does the Seagate FireCuda Forge cost?
Seagate’s announced prices start at $699 for the 8TB model and $899 for the 20TB model. These prices exclude the M.2 SSD that you must add separately.
Will games immediately load faster after the FireCuda Forge caches them?
Not necessarily, because newly added data may not gain speed right away. The cache needs time to learn how you use files before it promotes them to the flash, and the advertised speeds are maximums rather than guarantees.
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