Ten months after the PlayStation 5 (PS5) was released, Sony finally released a software update that unlocked the console’s storage expansion slot. This update was highly anticipated by gamers who were struggling with the limited internal storage space on the PS5. Previously, the console only offered 667GB of space for storing games, which was not enough for some gamers.
For those who constantly played and downloaded games, the limited storage space became a major inconvenience. Gamers, like the author’s son, had to delete and redownload games frequently to make space for new ones. This juggling act was frustrating and time-consuming. But with the software update, gamers can now expand their PS5’s storage by installing a standard PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD.
The process of expanding the storage may seem complicated due to the use of technical acronyms, but it is actually quite simple. And if you’re looking for the best SSDs for your PS5, you can skip to the end of the article for some recommendations.
When considering how much storage you need for your PS5, you should take into account the size of your game library. PS5 games are generally smaller in size compared to their PS4 counterparts, with an average range of 30GB to 100GB. However, popular games like Call of Duty can take up more than 200GB of storage space. If you’re a Call of Duty fan, you may find that a full install of the game takes up almost one-third of the PS5’s internal storage. For other games, you can store approximately six to ten games internally before running into storage problems.
It’s also important to consider your internet speed. If you have slow broadband, it can take a long time to download large games again. In such cases, it makes sense to keep games on hand in case you want to play them in the future.
When it comes to choosing the right SSD for your PS5, there are a few factors to consider. The PS5 accepts drives between 250GB and 4TB in capacity. It is recommended to avoid 250GB drives as they are not much cheaper than 500GB drives and don’t offer much storage space. The sweet spot for most gamers is a 1TB drive, which should provide enough space for games without breaking the bank. 2TB drives offer marginal savings per gigabyte and can be a good option if available. 4TB drives are generally not recommended as they tend to be more expensive per gigabyte than 1TB or 2TB drives.
It’s worth noting that the PS5’s internal storage is listed as 825GB, but only 667GB is available for games. The rest is reserved for the operating system and caching. So, if you install a 1TB SSD, you’ll have approximately 1TB of storage available for games.
External SSDs are another option for expanding storage on the PS5. These drives connect to the console via USB and are suitable for playing PS4 games or storing PS5 titles. They are useful for those with slower internet speeds or for those who want to have a large number of PS4 games easily accessible. Opt for SSDs over HDDs for faster transfer speeds and load times. Basic portable drives from reputable brands like Crucial and Samsung are recommended for this purpose.
When it comes to compatibility, the PS5 requires an “M.2 Socket 3 (Key M) Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD.” This means you’ll need a drive that meets the speed, cooling, and physical dimension requirements specified by Sony. The speed requirement is a sequential read speed of at least 5,500MB/s, although drives as slow as 4,800MB/s have been tested and shown to work fine. Cooling and size are also important considerations. The drive should fit the PS5’s specifications, which include a width of 22mm and length options of 30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, or 110mm. It should also have effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure like a heatsink. Many SSD manufacturers offer PlayStation-specific models that meet these requirements. Alternatively, you can purchase a bare drive and find a compatible cooling solution separately.
In conclusion, expanding the storage on your PS5 is now possible with the software update. Consider the size of your game library and your internet speed when deciding how much storage you need. Opt for a 1TB or 2TB drive for the best balance of storage space and price. External SSDs are also an option for storing PS4 games or additional PS5 titles. Make sure the SSD you choose is compatible with the PS5’s specifications and has adequate cooling. With the right SSD, you can have more storage space for your games without the hassle of constantly deleting and redownloading.
