SSD upgrades · Reviewed October 14, 2026 · Prices updated 1 hour ago

Should Plex Metadata Go on an SSD or a Hard Drive?

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Quick answer

Either one is fine. Plex says a relocated data directory belongs on an internal drive in the computer, a hard drive or an SSD, and it states no preference between the two. What Plex warns against is a network location or an external drive such as USB. If the folder already sits on an internal drive with room, nothing needs buying.

Reviewed October 14, 2026

Check your situation

Where does the Plex data directory sit now, and does that drive have room?

The data directory holds the library database, metadata, artwork and caches. Plex lists default locations by system: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server on Windows, ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/ on macOS, /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/ on Debian, Fedora, CentOS and Ubuntu, and /volume1/PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server on a Synology NAS with DSM 7.

Leave it where it is: nothing to buy. Plex's rule for the data directory is an internal drive, hard drive or SSD. It states no preference between the two. Your folder already meets that rule and has room, so there is no reason to move it or buy a drive. Most of the space in a standard install is metadata, in the Metadata and Media subfolders. Plex says several gigabytes is common.

Trim preview thumbnails first: nothing to buy. With video preview thumbnails turned on, a large library can use dozens or even hundreds of gigabytes. Plex puts a typical preview index at 10 to 50 MB per library item, mostly depending on video length. Turn generation off under Settings > Server > Library in Plex Web App. You can also keep thumbnails for some libraries and leave others out, for example keep them for movies and not for TV. Turning the setting off does not remove thumbnails that already exist. For each library, edit the library, open the Advanced tab and use the Delete Preview Thumbnails button. Delete them only after generation is off, or Plex makes them again. Large Downloads jobs are prepared on the server and take disk space until the download completes.

Move the data directory to the other internal drive: nothing to buy. When a small boot drive runs out of space, Plex says the easiest fix is often to relocate the data directory. A spare internal hard drive and a spare internal SSD both meet Plex's rule. Do not move it to a network location or an external drive such as USB. Plex warns that this can cause poor, unexpected or completely broken behavior. On Windows, change the LocalAppDataPath advanced, hidden server setting. It sets the data directory location and applies to Windows only. On macOS, Plex's usual method is a symbolic link from the original location to the new one. It must be a real symlink, not an alias or shortcut. On Linux a symbolic link also works, but Plex says users and permissions often make it more complicated. The folder for processed Downloads files can be moved with a symbolic link as well.

No internal drive with room: add one, hard drive or SSD. Plex needs the data directory on an internal drive. If none has room, you need another one. A spare internal hard drive meets Plex's rule just as well as an SSD. Plex names both and does not say an SSD is faster or required. If you choose an SSD, the tables below list new internal 2.5-inch SATA SSDs and M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs up to 2 TB, priced live on Amazon.com. The NVMe drives only fit a computer with a free M.2 2280 slot. Plex gives no drive size for this. The size range in the tables is the site's choice. Once the drive is installed, move the data directory with the method for your system: LocalAppDataPath on Windows, a symbolic link on macOS or Linux.

Point the transcoder folder at local space: nothing to buy. The transcoder temporary directory holds temporary files for streaming transcodes. Plex says changing it helps when the primary drive has limited space. Find it under Settings > Server > Transcoder in Plex Web App, after you click Show Advanced. The folder needs free space of roughly the size of the source file being transcoded plus 100 MB. Do not put it on a network share or network disk, inside any library's media folders, or in a folder that already holds data. Plex names no drive type for this folder. It gives only the free space and location rules above. This setting does not control where background transcodes for Downloads or Media Optimizer are stored. The separate Downloads temporary directory carries the same warnings, starting with no network share.

Safe steps

Stop Plex Media Server before you copy the data directory. Plex's article on moving an install gives this as the first step.^[6]
Zip or tar the folder before a transfer. It is thousands of small metadata files and can take a very long time to copy one by one.^[6]
Keep a zipped backup somewhere that is not a folder Plex uses, because Plex may delete unknown files there.^[7]
On Linux and NAS systems, make sure the copied folders are owned by plex:plex or by whichever user runs the server.^[6]

What to buy, if anything

Answer the questions under "Check your situation" and this section narrows to what your case calls for. Until then every table is shown, each with the case it is for.

Internal 2.5-inch SATA SSDs for a relocated Plex data directory

Why this is here: Plex says a relocated data directory belongs on an internal drive, hard drive or SSD, and names no preference between the two. These SSDs are for a reader whose current drive is short of space and who has chosen an internal SSD as the new location; an internal hard drive the reader already has meets Plex's rule just as well. New internal 2.5-inch SATA SSDs from about 500 GB to 2 TB, with today's Amazon.com price per TB.

Price per

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30 products

Product	Capacity	Price	$ / TB	Type	Prime	Buy
TEAMGROUP QX 2TB 3D NAND QLC 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive SSD R/W Speed up to 560/500 MB/s 400TBW Laptop & PC Desktop T253X7002T0C101	2 TB	$219.89	$109.95	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Ediloca 2TB SSD Internal Solid State Drive, 2.5" SATA III 6Gb/s, Up to 500MB/s Read Speed, 3D NAND Flash, Shock Drop-Proof for PC/Laptop/Desktop/NAS, Compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux (ES580E)	2 TB	$219.99	$110.00	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
fanxiang SSD 2TB Internal Solid State Drive SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5", 3D NAND, SLC Cache, Up to 520MB/s, Compatible with Laptops and PC Desktops(S101)	2 TB	$232.99	$116.50	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
PNY CS900 2TB 2.5" SATA III Internal SSD \| Up to 550/530MB/s R/W - PC/Laptop/HDD Upgrade for Everyday Users, Creators, Gamers, and more - SSD7CS900-2TB-RBSold by Amazon	2 TB	$234.99	$117.50	SATA SSD · SATA	Prime	Buy on Amazon
Bestoss 2TB SATA SSD - 2.5 Inch Internal Solid Drive, 6Gb/s, Up to 550MB/s	2 TB	$235.99	$118.00	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Silicon Power 1TB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SP001TBSS3A55S25)	1 TB	$119.67	$119.67	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Bestoss 480GB 2.5 in SSD Sata III 6Gb/s Internal Solid Drive,Up to 550MB/s	480 GB	$59.39	$123.73	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Lufasnd Internal 1TB SATA SSD, 2.5 Inch SSD SATA III 6Gb/s, Solid State Drive, Up to 520MB/s Read Speed, 3D NAND Flash, Compatible with Laptop & Desktop PC	1 TB	$123.99	$123.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
KingSpec 1TB 2.5-inch SATA III Internal SSD 6Gb/s - Championship Edition	1 TB	$125.69	$125.69	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
ORICO 1TB SATA SSD 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive, Read Speed up to 500MB/s, SATA III 6Gbps for Desktop Laptop NAS DIY External Drive - Y20	1 TB	$128.99	$128.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
KingSpec 1TB 2.5 SSD SATA III Internal - 550MB/s Read, 520MB/s Write with 3D NAND Flash, for Laptop & Desktop PC Upgrade	1 TB	$129.59	$129.59	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Fikwot FX815 1TB SSD, 2.5" SATA SSD, Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 560MB/s, 3D NAND SLC Cashe, Compatible with Laptop & PC Desktop	1 TB	$129.99	$129.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
PNY CS900 1TB 2.5" SATA III Internal SSD \| Up to 535/515MB/s R/W - PC/Laptop/HDD Upgrade for Everyday Users, Creators, Gamers, and more - SSD7CS900-1TB-RBSold by Amazon	1 TB	$129.99	$129.99	SATA SSD · SATA	Prime	Buy on Amazon
Silicon Power 1TB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") SSD Internal Solid State Drive (SU001TBSS3A55S25EC)	1 TB	$130.97	$130.97	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
fanxiang 512GB SATA SSD 2.5'' SSD SATA III 6 Gb/s Internal Solid State Drive Up to 560 MB/s 3D NAND SLC Cache for Laptop and PC Desktop Performance Boost 7mm(0.28″) S101Q	512 GB	$68.39	$133.57	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
SP Silicon Power 2TB 3D NAND SATA 3 6Gb/s 2.5 inch 7 mm PS4 Silicon Power SSD A55 Series SP002TBSS3A55S25 Black	2 TB	$267.76	$133.88	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
fanxiang S101 1TB SSD SATA SSD 1TB Internal Solid State Drive SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5" SSD, UP to 520MB/s, 3D NAND TLC, Upgrade Laptop PC and Desktops	1 TB	$135.99	$135.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
SIX 1TB SATA 2.5 SSD Internal Solid State Hard Drive Read up to 560MB/s	1 TB	$135.99	$135.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
ORICO 512GB SATA SSD 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive, Read Speed up to 500MB/s, SATA III 6Gbps for Desktop Laptop NAS DIY External Drive - Y20	512 GB	$69.99	$136.70	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Ediloca 480GB SSD Internal Solid State Drive, 2.5" SATA III 6Gb/s, Up to 450MB/s Read Speed, 3D NAND Flash, Shock Drop-Proof for PC/Laptop/Desktop/NAS, Compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux (ES580E)	480 GB	$65.99	$137.48	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Silicon Power 2TB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") SSD Internal Solid State Drive (SP002TBSS3A55S25)	2 TB	$275.11	$137.56	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Patriot P220 512GB SATA 3 2.5" SSD	512 GB	$71.99	$140.61	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Fikwot FX815 512GB SSD, 2.5" SATA SSD, Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 560MB/s, 3D NAND SLC Cashe, Compatible with Laptop & PC Desktop	512 GB	$72.17	$140.96	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Ediloca 512GB SSD Internal Solid State Drive, 2.5" SATA III 6Gb/s, Up to 450MB/s Read Speed, 3D NAND Flash, Shock Drop-Proof for PC/Laptop/Desktop/NAS, Compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux (ES580E)	512 GB	$72.99	$142.56	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Crucial BX500 SATA SSD 2TB, 2.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive, up to 540 MB/s, 2TB SSD Compatible with Laptop and Desktop (PC), 3D NAND, Dynamic Write Acceleration - CT2000BX500SSD101	2 TB	$294.50	$147.25	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
SANDISK SSD Plus 2TB Internal Solid State Drive - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Read/Write Speeds of up to 545MB/s / 515MB/s - SDSSDA-2T00-G28	2 TB	$299.00	$149.50	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
Gigastone 2TB High Endurance SSD Up to 550MB/s TLC Flash with SLC Caching 24/7 Reliable for Gaming/PC/NAS SSD 5-Year Warranty 2.5" SATA Internal Solid State Drives RAID Disk	2 TB	$299.99	$150.00	NAS SSD · SATANAS	-	Buy on Amazon
Bestoss 512GB SATA SSD - 2.5" Internal Solid Drive, 6Gb/s, Up to 550MB/s	512 GB	$77.99	$152.32	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
INLAND Platinum 1TB SSD SATA III 2.5" 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive	1 TB	$154.99	$154.99	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon
KingSpec 512GB 2.5 SSD SATA III Internal - 550MB/s Read, 520MB/s Write with 3D NAND Flash, for Laptop & Desktop PC Upgrade	512 GB	$79.97	$156.19	SATA SSD · SATA	-	Buy on Amazon

Internal M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs for a relocated Plex data directory

Why this is here: The same role as the SATA table, for a computer with a free M.2 2280 slot: an internal SSD as the new home for the data directory, one of the two drive kinds Plex names. Plex does not say an SSD is faster or required for this. New internal M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs from about 200 GB to 2 TB, with today's Amazon.com price per TB.