Published , by Sam Chandler
Published , by Sam Chandler
PlayStation 5 consoles are able to be upgraded with a solid-state drive (SSD). This expands the PlayStation’s internal storage, allowing players to install more games and other media. However, there are some strict compatibility requirements for installing an SSD in a PS5 – you can’t just grab any one off the shelf.
PlayStation has updated its support site to include information pertaining to the selection and installation of SSDs into PlayStation 5 consoles. The page outlines the minimum requires for an SSD, which you can see in the table below. But the most critical bit of information is that it must be an M.2 SSD.
| PlayStation 5 SSD minimum requirements | |
|---|---|
| Interfact | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Capactiy | 250GB – 4TB |
| Cooling Structure | Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in. |
| Sequential Read Speed | 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended |
| Module width | 22mm width (25mm width is not supported) |
| Form Factor | M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110. These numbers can be found on retail listings for M.2 SSD devices. The first two digits refer to the width, the remaining digits to the length. |
| Socket Type | Socket 3 (Key M) |
| Total size including cooling structure | In millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H). In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H). |
The page also offers a thorough overview of the sizing requirements of the M.2 SSD. This is broken down into the length, width, and the height. The height is critical as you will need to use a heatsink with the SSD.
Users must also be aware that the size below the board must be less than 2.45mm and the size above the board must be less than 8mm. Sony has also provided three helpful images detailing the sizing of the M.2 SSDs depending on three factors: SSDs with a built-in heatsink, SSDs that need a single-sided heatsink, and SSDs that need a double-sided heatsink.
Now, in terms of actually buying a PS5-compatible M.2 SSD, that is going to change month-to-month as new technology is developed and released. Your best bet is to look through the facilities you might use to purchase PC hardware. Places like Amazon, Newegg and Best Buy may be your first stop when buying the right M.2 SSD for you.
As reported by Video Games Chronicle, Mark Cerny (the Lead System Architect for the PlayStation 5), took to Twitter to share the M.2 SSD he’s chosen for his PlayStation 5 console. Unless you’ve got your own preferences, going with what the guy who designed the PS5 chose is likely a safe option.
There’s certainly a lot of information to parse when it comes to picking an SSD that is compatible with your PlayStation 5. For console players that are unfamiliar with the world of PC building, this may be a step too far. However, those who are comfortable with this sort of installation should forge ahead – just ensure you’re meeting the M.2 SSD minimum requirements for your PS5. Stop by the Shacknews PlayStation 5 page for the latest news and guides for Sony’s hot new console.