Topic: Does an external hard drive cause input lag?

Hi all,

So my question is whether using an external hard drive causes slight input lag. I recently stored all of my data onto a Toshiba Canvio Basic Portable HDD USB 3.0 hooked up with a USB 3.0 y-cable. Now I'm not sure if it's this or the latest Smash4 update (as I acquired both at the same time), but ever since I've noticed a very slight lag when playing Smash4 (using a GCN controller for the record).

As some of you can imagine, even a millisecond lag in a game such as Smash is immediately noticeable. I haven't really noticed this in other games, but as mentioned it's definitely noticeable in Smash. I've also tested my Wii U + hard drive setup on three TVs and it's the same on all three!

Can anyone confirm whether this is indeed a problem with running save data off a hard drive, or that the latest Smash4 patch has caused a slight delay in inputs? If the former, I'm well and truly screwed as I own a darn Basic Wii U, making it impossible to store all Smash data + DLC onto the console alone...

Many thanks and Merry Christmas!

What you experience could at least be theoretically possible, since the GCN controller and HDD both use the USB. Test playing with the Gamepad and see if the lag disappears.

Try playing on a monitor with HDMI instead of a TV. TVs will always cause lag (except CRTs but that would be gross). I too have smash on my HDD and I can tell you from my experience that it is okay (I'm very picky with this thing too). But I'm playing on my monitor Anyway, the display is your worst enemy here. However, if there is indeed a latency with the HDD, it is absolutely minimal. Actually, I'm going to try it right now as I have a Deluxe bunduru.

UPDATE: Transfered all Smash 4 data to the console memory. I didn't test playing with the HDD at first because the transfer takes a little while and by the time I played again I would have forgotten the feel .
All I can say is that I played very smoothly and comfortable (maybe just a lucky night? who knows). However I'm more in the "it's possible that it's better" side than in the "it's the same thing" side. If you are able to test it on your console memory, then go ahead. Butt if not, do not worry. The only thing I can say for sure is that if there's a difference it's absolutely minimal. These are the kinds of things that only by experiencing them you can know the answer.
Anyway, your biggest problem is not the HDD, it is the display. Even if it's in game mode, the HDTV won't be better than the monitor. Never. I have the AOC E2752SHE monitor and it is beautiful :v. It's big enough even for 8 player smash and well, no input lag. It's the same type of situation with Melee and Brawl. Even if Brawl is able to output 16:9, competitively it is played on a CRT which is the God of no lag.

Sorry for just noticing this, maybe the source of your problem is that it is a portable drive. The most recommended option is a drive with an external power source (my test was done with one of these). I have a Seagate something 3TB (I know the Wii U only recognizes up to 2TB but the purchase wasn't a choice of mine).