Store More Games with the Best SSDs for the PS5

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The PlayStation 5's blistering speed is impressive, but it's severely hamstrung by its paltry 1TB of integrated storage. Add in the baked-in software, and all it takes to fill up your memory is a few big games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II or Starfield. That means having to delete games you don't play as often to make space for those new titles you're looking to use. The solution? Add a (relatively) affordable M.2 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) to expand your storage, so you can play the latest games when they go on sale.

While Sony's add-on storage solution isn't as elegant as Microsoft's approach (with the Xbox Series X/S and its expansion cards), upgrading your PlayStation 5 to expand its memory is more affordable and versatile. Sony uses industry-standard M.2 NVMe SSDs, which are cheaper and come in more size variations. Sorting through the best SSDs can be daunting, though, so we've selected a handful of top M.2 NVMe SSDs to help you choose from the best options to expand your gaming horizons.

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Things to Consider

Before you attempt to add a solid state drive card to expand your Playstation gaming console's memory, there are a few things you should be aware of.

Installation Ease

The PS5's cool intake/exhaust design requires partial disassembly to access the M.2 slot. Make sure you're comfortable with a screwdriver.

Sequential Read/Write Speeds

The PS5 needs at least 5500 MB/sec sequential read speeds to run smoothly. All the SSDs here meet or exceed that metric handily. If you go with a different one than what's listed here, you'll want to ensure it meets the minimum specifications required to handle the bandwidth needed for more resource-intensive games.

Price and Capacity

SSDs get exponentially pricier as capacity grows. Determining your storage needs beforehand avoids overpaying for space you'll never use. That said, account for games and downloadable content getting larger and larger in capacity as time goes on. We definitely recommend going big, for longevity's sake.

Warranty

A five-year warranty is the driving standard for SSDs from reputable brands. Don't settle for less protection unless you're comfortable taking the hit, financially speaking.

Best SSDs for PlayStation 5

WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 PS5 SSD

Western Digital's WD_BLACK SN850P stands out among its peers for both its top-tier performance metrics and high-capacity options. Beyond boasting read speeds of up to 7300 MB/s and write speeds as high as 6300 MB/s, the WD_BLACK SN850P is also available in capacities as high as 4TB, if you're willing to shell out the dough.

The memory sticks feature a heatsink exclusively designed for optimal performance with PS5 consoles, and installation should be straightforward, considering it's officially certified to work with PS5 consoles. It's fast, can be purchased in various sizes, and should be able to run even the most resource-intensive AAA games easily for years to come. What else is there to say?

980 PRO PS5 SSD

The Samsung 980 PRO is a reasonable compromise of price and performance. This PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD offers read speeds of up to 7000 MB/s and write speeds reaching 5000 MB/s, which should ensure minimal loading times and a smooth gaming experience regardless of what game you're playing.

The unit is available with and without an integrated heatsink. We highly recommend the integrated heatsink option for maintaining optimal operating temperatures. This should prevent thermal throttling and help smooth performance, even during long and intense gaming sessions. The Samsung 980 Pro series comes in capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB, allowing you to pick the size that fits your budget and gaming needs.

Samsung's offering isn't the cheapest of the bunch, but its durable design and reliable thermal management make it a fast and reliable option for keeping your games stored and running as fast as the latest hot lap you put down in Forza.

MP600 PRO LPX 8TB PS5 SSD

If it's storage you need, it's storage you'll get, with Corsair's massive 8TB MP600 Pro LPX SSD for PS5. The MP600 Pro LPX has a low-profile aluminum heatsink that fits seamlessly into the PS5's case to ensure peak performance by effectively dissipating heat over longer gaming sessions. This is critical, as the unit showcases impressive read speeds of up to 7100 MB/s and write speeds reaching 6800 MB/s.

The MP600 Pro LPX drives are available in capacities ranging from 500GB up to a whopping 8TB, but it's the 8TB option that makes Corsair's offering stand out from the rest of the options in our roundup. As you'd expect though, the 8TB option doesn't come cheap, with a suggested retail price of $989. Considering most other companies don't even offer an 8TB option though, it's reasonable to expect to pay a premium.

FireCuda 530 2TB PS5 SSD

Seagate's FireCuda 530 SSDs are a premium option that deliver sustained performance with read speeds of up to 7300 MB/s. The SSDs include a heatsink explicitly designed for the PS5, and Seagate says the units are specifically designed to maximize the drop-in expansive connection in PS5 units.

The FireCuda 530 is available in sizes up to 4TB, which should allow you to get just the right amount of storage to fit both your budget and entertainment needs.

P5 Plus 1TB PS5 SSD

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, the Crucial P5 Plus is probably the best PS5 SSD for you. While its read speeds of up to 6600 MB/s aren't as impressive as some of the other drives in this roundup, it should be more than enough to handle nearly any game you throw its way.

Originally, the P5 Plus lineup was only available without a heatsink, but Crucial changed that with its new 1TB option with an integrated heatsink. While you could risk performance and save a few bucks without the integrated heatsinks, we'd recommend sticking to the 1TB option with a heatsink to minimize the risk of your gaming session coming to a premature end as a result of a throttled SSD.

How to Install a PS5 SSD

Installing a solid state drive into a PlayStation 5 is fairly straightforward as far as hardware upgrades are concerned, but for those who want a little guidance, below is a step-by-step guide explaining how to install the SSD of your choice properly. If you're more of a visual person, we've also included Sony's official installation video below.

Installation Steps:

1. Turn off your PS5 console and unplug the AC power cord. Wait for the power indicator to stop blinking before proceeding.

2. Place the console on a flat surface and remove the base (if attached).

3. Position the console so that the screw hole for the expansion slot cover is facing you. Remove the screw and the expansion-slot cover.

4. Remove the M.2 SSD slot cover by pulling it out in a diagonal upward direction.

5. Remove the screw and spacer, and adjust the spacer according to your M.2 SSD's size. Attach the spacer in the correct position for your SSD.

6. Holding the edge of your M.2 SSD, align it with the notch on the expansion connector. Diagonally insert the SSD all the way in, then tilt it down.

7. While holding down the SSD, secure it with the screw. Do not apply excessive force when tightening the screw.

8. Attach the slot cover and screw it back into place.

9. Replace the expansion slot cover and secure it with the screw.

10. If you had a base attached, reattach it to the console.

11. Connect the AC power cord, turn on your PS5, and follow the on-screen instructions to format the M.2 SSD.

M.2 SSD Installation Guide for PS5 Console

See the original post on Youtube

FAQs

Do I need to use a heatsink with these M.2 drives in the PS5?

All of the SSDs on this list have some kind of integrated heatsink to dissipate the extensive amount of thermal output they create under load. While not strictly necessary for whatever SSD is put into your PS5, a proper heatsink will likely fare better over consistent use, as heat can degrade components and cause slower read speeds. For these reasons alone, we suggest getting an SSD with an integrated heatsink.

What size drives work in the PS5?

The PS5 supports M.2 NVMe SSDs from 250GB up to a massive 8TB, giving you plenty of flexibility based on your storage needs and budget.

Why M.2 NVMe and not just any SSD?

The PS5 requires fast PCI Express 4.0 bandwidth that older SATA SSDs can't provide, so M.2 NVMe is the only option that fits the bill. The PS5's size also means internal space is at a premium, so using the smaller M.2 NVMe SSD form factor is much more ideal than the usual 2.5-inch SSDs.

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