Sony has finally begun to enable the slots of M2 SSD for PS5 (PlayStation 5). It is possible to install an additional SSD memory that can be used, like the 667 GB one present as standard.
At present, in fact, it is only possible to connect external memories (both HDD and SSD) that only allow you to archive PS5 titles or to archive and run those PlayStation 4.
The games designed for the last generation, in fact, do not require access to particularly fast memory, which is why it is also possible to play them from an external hard disk, while the PS5 ones require to be run directly from the internal memory, to guarantee their correct functioning.
The enabling of the M2 slot is, therefore, essential to be able to expand the fairly small internal memory of the console, as this will therefore allow you to have more space available to run the games designed for the next-gen console, all without experiencing loss of performance, as long as you use an SSD with the right specifications. So let’s try to understand what it is.
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Before choosing the most suitable internal memory, it is good to review the minimum requirements to be met, both in terms of technical specifications and dimensions.
The PS5’s additional M.2 slot supports NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSDs (types 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110), with sizes from 250GB up to 4TB and read speeds of 5,500MB/s or greater.
In addition to this, Sony suggests applying a heatsink that can facilitate the dissipation of the heat generated by the memory, as long as it remains within the space available in the housing, which amounts to 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm.
As for the heatsink, it is good to remember that its maximum height in the lower part must not exceed 2.45 mm. In contrast, it mustn’t exceed 8 mm for the upper one. Finally, remember that M.2 SATA is not compatible.
Please note that Sony’s official statements suggest that the Japanese company does not guarantee performance parity with the internal memory for the SSDs placed in the additional M.2 slot. However, the first tests are very positive.
It is, in fact, likely that Sony wanted to take a cautious attitude on the issue, not leaning into excessive proclamations.
Still, the analyses carried out by colleagues at Digital Foundry testify how the console can take advantage of the solutions already on the market and put to good use the fastest reading speed that can be accessed.
Below we leave you to Sony’s official post for any further information and to the DF video, which shows in detail the tests carried out on different configurations; look at it before purchasing, as the simple installation procedure is also shown.
WHICH SSD TO CHOOSE
Let’s now move on to the choice of internal SSDs. Below you will find the best proposals sorted by decreasing price (at the time of writing) and divided into 2 TB, 1 TB, and 500 GB.
Recall that, being common SSDs for PCs, the price of the memories could vary significantly (hopefully downwards) in the future.
2 TB
1. Patriot Viper VP4300 – 2TB
2. Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus – 2TB
3. Gigabyte AORUS Gen4 7000s – 2TB
4. Samsung Memory MZ-V8P2T0B 980 PRO – 2TB
5. Crucial P5 Plus – 2TB
1 TB
1. Patriot Viper VP4300 – 1TB
2. Gigabyte AORUS Gen4 7000s – 1TB
3. WD BLACK SN850 – 1TB
4. Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus – 1TB
5. Samsung Memory MZ-V8P1T0B 980 PRO – 1TB
6. Crucial P5 Plus – 1TB
500 GB
1. Samsung Memorie MZ-V8P500 – 500GB
2. WD BLACK SN850 – 500GB
THE HEATSINKS
Some SSDs come with a heatsink included in the box.
At the same time, others don’t (or the supplied one might be too big), so here’s a list of some heatsinks to choose from to complete the installation of the new memory in your console.
1. Thermalright Heatsink
2. glotrends Aluminum Cooling Fins
SOME EXTERNAL SSDs
An internal SSD is certainly the best choice to combine speed and utility since this type of solution allows – as already highlighted – to use PS5 games directly without copying them further.
- Samsung 1TB T5 Memory, USB 3.1 Gen 2, Portable
- Crucial CT1000X6SSD9 X6 1TB Portable SSD
- SanDisk Portable SSD
- Crucial CT500X6SSD9 X6 500GB Portable
However, it is undeniable that the cost of these memories is still very high, so the use of an external SSD to be used as an archive (and to be dedicated to PS4 games, which will still benefit from faster loading) can be a good alternative, especially if the operation of moving the games does not happen frequently.
So here are some of the more interesting options to consider.