Enhance Your PS5 Experience: A Guide to the Best SSDs
For several console generations, gamers were limited by built-in storage. The PS5, however, offers a welcome change with its M.2 PCIe slot, allowing for easy expansion via readily available SSDs. This is a significant upgrade from the PS Vita and PSP's notoriously expensive memory cards. While the PS5's base storage is limited (825GB), you can significantly boost performance and capacity with a high-end PC SSD, achieving near-native load speeds.
TL;DR: Top PS5 SSD Recommendations:
Our Top Pick: Corsair MP600 Pro LPX See it at Amazon
Best Budget: Crucial T500 See it at Amazon
Best Without Heatsink: Samsung 990 Evo Plus See it at Best Buy
Best External: WD_Black P40 See it at Amazon
Key Considerations:
- Interface: Requires a PCIe 4.0 (Gen 4) or faster drive for speeds up to 7,500MB/s. Gen 3 M.2 SSDs are significantly slower (3,500MB/s).
- Form Factor: While the PS5 accommodates various M.2 sizes, the standard 2280 is recommended for its widespread availability.
- Heatsink: Essential due to the heat generated by PCIe 4.0 SSDs. The PS5's internal space restricts airflow, making a heatsink crucial to prevent performance throttling. Choose an SSD with a built-in heatsink (maximum 11.25mm height) or purchase a separate compatible one.
- Capacity: 1TB is a popular choice for doubling storage, but larger capacities (up to 4TB) are available for extensive game libraries, though at a higher cost.
PS5 SSD Essentials:
Numerous compatible SSDs are available at various price points. While high-capacity drives (e.g., 8TB) command premium prices, budget-friendly options offer excellent performance for under $100. Remember the PS5's size restrictions (110mm x 25mm x 11.25mm including heatsink) and the minimum read speed requirement of 5500MB/s. The PS5's internal speed test will verify compatibility. Consider the warranty and TBW (Terabytes Written) rating for longevity. TLC NAND is a good balance of performance and affordability for gaming. External SSDs offer additional storage for PS4 games but cannot run PS5 titles.
Detailed SSD Reviews:
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX: Excellent value with high read speeds (7,100MB/s) and an included heatsink. A strong contender despite not being the absolute fastest.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential Read Speed: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed: 5,800MB/s
- NAND Type: 3D TLC
- TBW: 700TB
2. Crucial T500: Best budget option, offering high speeds and a heatsink at an affordable price.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential Read Speed: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed: 6,800MB/s
- NAND Type: Micron TLC
- TBW: 600TB
3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus: High performance at a reasonable price, but requires a separate heatsink.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 1TB - 4TB
- Sequential Read Speed: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed: 6,300MB/s
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND TLC
- TBW: 600TB (1TB), 1200TB (2TB), 2400TB (4TB)
4. WD_Black P40: A fast external SSD, ideal for additional PS4 game storage, but not for running PS5 games.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential Read Speed: 2,000MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed: 2,000MB/s
- NAND Type: WD TLC
- TBW: 600TB
PS5 SSD FAQ:
- Is an SSD worthwhile? Absolutely, if you have a large game library or play many large games.
- What speed is needed? At least 5,500MB/s read speed (PCIe 4.0).
- Best time to buy? Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday often offer discounts.
- Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs necessary? No, the PS5 doesn't utilize their full capabilities.
Remember to consult our guide on PS5 storage upgrades for installation assistance. [link-to-installation-guide]
