The PlayStation 5’s built-in hard drive has a capacity of 825GB, leaving only about 667GB after subtracting the operating system, which is enough for many gamers. In response, SONY announced in 2021 that it would open up the possibility of using M.2 SSDs for expansion. Various brands have also released SSDs for the PS5 that meet the official specs, allowing people to have more storage space.
Which SSD drive to use for PS5
The main differences between the different SSDs on the market are in speed, heat, capacity, etc. SSDs can be divided into 2.5-inch, M.2, mSATA, U.2, and other types based on external dimensions. M.2, which looks like a rubber band and fits a wide range of motherboards due to its ultra-thin thickness, is also the type to choose when buying a PS5 SSD hard drive. The storage interface of these drives can be divided into SATA and NVMe, with the latter offering more bandwidth and faster speeds for heavy workloads such as large file transfers, making it the preferred option for gamers.
In addition to the M.2 NVMe SSD interface, which supports PCI-Express Gen4x4, SONY also recommends gamers buy products with read speed of 5,500 MB/s or higher, capacities from 250GB to 4TB, and ones with a heatsink. When browsing the market, you can use the keyword “PS5” to quickly check the drive’s specifications against the official information. PS5 SSDs may look the same, but the specifications and thermal performance of each brand are still different. Thus, there are specifications for you to check when looking for an SSD for PS5.
Hard drive capacity
Although most SSDs available on the market have a capacity of 1TB or less, given that PS5 games can easily have hundreds of gigabytes of capacity, choosing a product with insufficient capacity will be a big mistake for gamers, so 1TB, 2TB or even 4TB is recommended. Recording speeds also vary between capacities, and higher-capacity drives are usually faster, so it is worth considering your usage needs, price, and other conditions.
Drive speed
When buying, you can read the read and write speed of the hard drive in the product specification, where the read speed is based on the official SONY recommended specifications, and it is best to choose a model with a speed of 5,500 MB/s or higher. The higher the number, the higher the speed, which can significantly improve the gaming experience. However, these values are only approximate and can vary depending on the operating conditions. If in doubt, search the Internet for relevant real experience data before making your decision.
Thermal design
PS5 generates a lot of heat, so if you don’t take steps to dissipate it, this can lead to problems and malfunctions. For products without a heatsink, you can buy a separate heatsink and install it, but note that the height of the SSD including the heatsink should not exceed 11.25 mm, otherwise it will not fit.
Warranty
Most commercially available SSD hard drives come with a 3 to 5-year warranty, and if they fail within the warranty period and under normal use, they can be exchanged or refunded according to each brand’s terms of protection. However, some brands have limitations on the warranty, for example, if the original identification information is erased or torn off, the warranty does not apply, so it is best not to remove the sticker from the product at your discretion and to check other warranty details carefully. In addition, some brands offer data rescue services and free technical support for a limited period of time to prevent data loss due to accidents or mechanical problems, or help consumers solve problems with installation and use.
FAQ
There are many different types of SSD hard drives that can be used for the PS5, so there will be a lot of confusion for first-time buyers, so below are a few frequently asked questions that we hope will help clear up any doubts you may have.
Will an SSD affect the PS5 warranty?
The original manufacturer’s warranty will not be affected if the SSD is installed in accordance with the specifications and installation instructions. On the other hand, if the primary unit is damaged as a result of not following proper installation procedures, the warranty may not apply, so it is important to make sure the drive is properly specified and following proper procedures before installing it.
Can I divide the data for one of my games between primary drive and SSD?
No, you can not. All data for the same game must be stored in the same place, i.e. either on the main drive or on the M.2 SSD.
What should I keep in mind when installing an SSD?
After installing the SSD in your PS5 for the first time, you must first format it. However, since this action will erase the data on the drive with no chance of recovery, it is important to make sure there is nothing important on the drive before formatting it.
What if the power is turned off during formatting?
This may damage the SSD drive or your console. Do not turn off the power during the formatting process.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a drive with high specs and high read and write speed, or one with an emphasis on heat dissipation, if your SSD’s specs and size are within the recommended range, you can increase the storage capacity of your PS5. If you are looking for one, you should weigh your capacity requirements and budget to choose the best drive from the existing range. Also, whether you have enough hard drive capacity or not, your console may need repairs – anything from overheating to PS5 HDMI port replacement. It’s worth turning to reliable professionals in such cases.
