Boost Your PS5's Storage: A Guide to the Best SSDs
For several console generations, gamers were limited by built-in storage. The PS5 changed that by including an M.2 PCIe slot for external SSD expansion, a welcome change given the console's limited base storage (825GB). This allows you to add high-performance SSDs, significantly improving load times.
Top PS5 SSD Picks:
Our Top Pick: Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
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Best Budget Option: Crucial T500
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Best Without Heatsink: Samsung 990 Evo Plus
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Best External SSD: WD_Black P40
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PS5 SSD Considerations:
- Interface: Requires PCIe 4.0 (or higher) for speeds up to 7,500MB/s. Gen 3 drives are significantly slower.
- Form Factor: M.2 is essential. While various sizes fit, 2280 is the most common.
- Heatsink: Highly recommended due to PCIe 4.0's heat generation. The PS5's internal space limits airflow. The heatsink shouldn't exceed 11.25mm in height. You can purchase an SSD with a built-in heatsink or add one separately.
- Capacity: Choose based on your needs. 1TB is a popular choice, effectively doubling storage. Larger capacities (up to 4TB or even 8TB) are available but more expensive.
- Warranty and Endurance: Check the warranty period (typically five years) and TBW (Terabytes Written) rating, indicating the drive's lifespan. TLC NAND is a good balance of performance and longevity for gaming.
- Speed: While drives boast high speeds, the PS5's internal testing usually peaks around 6,500MB/s. Drives much faster than this offer minimal additional benefit.
External Hard Drives: While you can use external hard drives (like the WD_Black P40), they cannot run PS5 games. They are useful for storing PS4 games and temporarily holding PS5 games before transferring them to internal storage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
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Is an SSD worthwhile for PS5? Absolutely, especially if you have a large game library or play many large games. The PS5's base storage fills up quickly.
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What speed SSD is needed? At least 5,500MB/s read speed (PCIe 4.0). 6,500MB/s or higher is generally sufficient.
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Best time to buy? Consider sales periods like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday for potential discounts.
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Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs necessary? No. The PS5 doesn't utilize PCIe 5.0 speeds; a PCIe 4.0 drive offers optimal performance at a lower cost.
Individual SSD Reviews:
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX: Excellent value, high read speeds (up to 7,100MB/s), pre-installed heatsink. 700TBW endurance rating.
2. Crucial T500: Best budget option, high speeds (up to 7,300MB/s read), includes heatsink, good value for 1TB. 600TBW (1TB version).
3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus: Excellent performance, fast load times (up to 7,250MB/s read), but requires a separately purchased heatsink. Various capacities and TBW ratings.
4. WD_Black P40: Faster than a traditional external hard drive (2,000MB/s read), multi-platform compatible, but cannot run PS5 games directly. 600TBW (1TB version).
Remember to consult our guide on PS5 storage upgrades for installation assistance.
