The PlayStation 5 has enabled the use of high-speed PCIe Gen 4.0 SSDs for expanding the limited-sized storage of the console through a beta update. Unfortunately, the range of drives supported is rather slim. At the moment, the feature is only available to beta users. The internal M.2 SSD expansion feature will be enabled via an upcoming PS5 system software update. Furthermore, only select PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSDs will be compatible with the console:
- Capacity: 250GB – 4TB
- Cooling structure:Â 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 recommendedÂ
- 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)Â
- 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)
- SIE cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSD devices meeting the described specifications will work with your console and assumes no responsibility for the selection, performance or use of third-party products.
- Unfortuntely, a decent PCIe Gen 4 SSD costs a pretty penny. For a 500GB SSD, you’ll have to shell out around $110-130, while a 1TB drive will cost you $200. That’s a lot of money, but will essentially double your storage capacity. A 2TB PCIe Gen 4 drive costs over $400, so most gamers won’t be looking higher than 1TB.
- Read more:
- Difference Between SLC, MLC, TLC & QLC NAND SSDs: Which One is Better?
