It was in the summer of 2021 when Sony decided to update the firmware of PS5 with the aim of allowing us to expand the internal memory of the console by connecting SSD drives special ones that meet the requirements requested by the Japanese. But what exactly do we need? What SSD can I connect? And how? We are going to review all the points so that you can easily expand the memory of your PS5.
How do you expand the memory of PS5?
In this way, you will know what you can do in the event that the internal memory of your PlayStation 5 fills up and you want to continue storing games without deleting anything.
The PlayStation 5 is designed with a view to being a fairly long-lasting generation. Unlike previous models, we will not be able to replace the main unit of the system. But that's not bad news, as the console has its own expansion options so you don't have storage problems in the future. Specifically, the PS5 has an extra M.2 slot that you can use in case you need it. Of course, you have to meet a series of requirements to be able to use it.
To expand the internal memory of a PS5 we only need to have the console updated to the latest version of its firmware and have a supported external SSD drive, that we will connect in the slot that the machine has for this purpose.
This is hidden in a compartment that we will find when removing one of the side covers of the console, a hole that is protected by an elongated metal plate that we must also remove to find the socket in which we will connect the memory.
Video tutorial: Expand SSD memory to the PS5
As a picture is worth a thousand words, here we leave you our video tutorial so you can see step by step how the process is carried out. As you will see in the video, the process is quite fast and does not require us to have too much technical knowledge to carry it out.
Does this system make sense or is the Xbox Series better?
The truth is that at this point Sony has made an incomprehensible decision if we compare it with that of Microsoft, which we have on both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. a completely external port that fulfills the same function and where we can connect a 512GB or 1TB unit quickly and without the hassle of disassembling. This system allows, for example, to take and bring the unit with us to go to friends and family and take those games with which we want to continue the game.
How to Update PS5 Firmware Before Upgrading SSD
It is very important that the console is always updated to the latest firmware version since, at first, PS5 did not allow the connection of SSD drives. At the time of writing this article, the software version that allows the connection of additional SSD drives is fully functional, so you will have no problem expanding the capacity of your console by adding more gigabytes to install new games.
How to disassemble a PS5
When Sony designed its console, decided to offer the possibility of facilitating access to certain parts of the hardware, so that users could expand the memory of the console, for example. It will be there where we can connect the SSD unit that we buy, and to do so we will have to follow the following steps:
- First of all, you have to remove the upper cover of the console (it is the right side if we look at it from the front). With a simple push to the side it will come out easily.
- With the cover removed, we can see the metal protection that protects the SSD compartment. We will have to remove a screw to access the interior.
- With access to the socket clear, we only have to connect the M.2 SSD and screw it properly so that it does not move.
Now we will only have to replace the metal protection with its screw and the side cover of the console so that everything is back to normal, with the difference that from that moment on we will have more storage capacity.
What SSD is compatible with the PlayStation 5?
Firstly, the SSD drives that can be connected in the console must be M.2 SSD type, and also comply with a series of minimum requirements that will guarantee the perfect operation of the machine. If we do not comply with these requests that Sony obliges us to respect, the performance of your PS5 could be greatly affected, especially in everything related to the speed of loading of the games during the game and the response times.
Our solution to our very active two gamer PS5 household? His-and-hers SSDs
Couple of awesome options for 7000MB/s, ended up putting my $$ down on this one. Going to be SWEET!!! pic.twitter.com/6TuqPwK49x
- Mark Cerny (@cerny) August 1, 2021
The characteristics that an M.2 SSD unit must have to work correctly on a PS5 are the following:
- You must have a PCIe Gen4 interface x4 M.2 NVMe SSD.
- La total capacity It will be a minimum of 250GB and a maximum of 4TB.
- SSD drive you will need to bring a sink to reduce the temperature generated while working. Many units on the market do not have this heatsink, so we will have to buy one to reduce the temperature.
- The reading times of the unit must be of 5.500 MB/s minimum. Write speed is not a limiting factor, although most drives that offer such fast read rates also tend to perform well when it comes to writing. write.
- The width of the unit should be 22 mm as the 25mm drives do not fit into the socket hole.
- El form factor of the M.2 will be of the type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110. These numbers indicate the width of the unit (22) and its length in millimeters.
- La maximum length of the units will have to be 30, 42, 60, 80 or 110 millimeters.
- With the heatsink in place, the maximum width will be 25 millimeters, while the height of the upper face may not exceed 8 millimeters and the lower face 2,45 millimeters. In total, the memory with the heatsinks must add up to 11,25 millimeters at most.
We can use both memories with chips on both sides and on a single side, and at no time will the M.2 SATA SSD memories serve. Of course, Sony does not guarantee that all games offer the same performance on an M.2 SSD with more than 5.500 MB/s compared to that achieved with the SSD integrated into the console, so in case of problems they recommend moving the installation from the game to the main memory of the console.
SSD memories compatible with PS5
Today there are already several options available on the market that we can buy, so we are going to leave you with some proposals so that you can take a look at the possible expansion of your console.
WD_BLACK SN850 1TB
This 1 TB unit is the version that Mark Cerny himself (PS5's head of systems architecture) has installed on his console, so We are possibly facing one of the most recommended memories that you could install It offers readings of up to 7.000 MB/s, which is far above the figure recommended by Sony.
See offer on AmazonSeagate Firecuda 530
It is one of the first memories that announced its full compatibility with PS5. for now it is quite difficult to find them, although stock is arriving with certain periodicity.
See offer on AmazonSabrent Rocket 4 Plus 2TB
This model is extremely fast with 7.100 MB/s reading. It is a very compact unit that lacks a heatsink, so you will have to buy one separately.
See offer on AmazonCorsair MP600 Pro LPX 1TB
A more than interesting option that you can install on your PS5 and that also comes with a heatsink already installed. It offers a capacity of 1TB and a write and read speed of 7.100 MB/s.
See offer on AmazonSamsung SSD 980 Pro
A very popular memory from Samsung that offers superb performance with 7.000 MB/s of reading and writing. A highly recommended option to which you will have to put a heatsink.
See offer on AmazonXPG 4TB GAMMIX
This storage monster it practically guarantees you have all the necessary storage to save most of the games you buy for your PS5. This model, which is sold as certified to work with the new Sony console, has a reading speed of up to 7.400 MB/s and already has a heatsink plate on top. So you can install it without problems as soon as you receive it... although it must be said that it's going to come out for you and it's worth waiting for something else to come down. No?
See offer on AmazonSSD memories NOT compatible with PS5
Be very careful with some memories on the market since they seem to be perfectly compatible but do not have all the requirements requested by the manufacturer. These are some of the most prominent:
Corsair MP600 Pro
This Corsair unit ticks all the boxes, however, its huge heatsink exceeds by a couple of millimeters the maximum memory height. Unless you remove the heatsink and put another one, you will not be able to connect the memory and close the cover.
See offer on Amazon8TB PNY XLR3040 CS4
This model offers the maximum capacity that we can add to our console with an endless 4 TB. Your problem is that does not have a heatsink (we will have to purchase it separately) and most importantly, that its interface is SATA, so it is not compatible with PS5. Be careful not to buy it by mistake.
See offer on AmazonThe links to Amazon in this article are part of our agreement with their Affiliate Program and may earn us a small commission on their sale (without affecting the price you pay). Even so, the decision to publish and add them has been made, as always, freely and under editorial criteria, without attending to requests from the brands involved.