The PS5's hard drive is proving key to how Sony is delivering its next-generation vision.
At the core is an SSD (solid state drive, which where game downloads will be installed) in every console, and this combined with custom hardware which makes the most of this proprietary drive will deliver loading times and access to game data many, many times quicker than what's possible on PS4 and other platforms.
As well as this, Sony has confirmed an PS5 SSD expansion is possible with off-the-shelf solutions - though not every hard drive out there is created equal for the console's purposes.
This page explains compatible SSDs with the PS5, how the built-in PS5 hard drive works for faster speeds, as well as the PS5 hard drive's size so you know what you're getting at launch.
On this page:
- How does PS5's external SSD expansion work?
- PS5 compatible SSD guidelines: Which M.2 SSDs are supported?
- How you can expand PS5 storage with external USB hard drives
- How does PlayStation 5's SSD work, and what are the benefits over a standard HDD?
- How big is the PS5's launch hard drive storage in GB?
In short - you've got your launch PS5 with 825GB of built-in storage, and you want more room. There are two PS5 expanded storage options for the PS5 available:
- Expanding internal storage with a Sony-certified, off-the-shelf SSD
- Plugging in an external hard drive via USB
The two available options have some caveats as to what can be used, and what data can be stored on them. Let's go through them one-by-one.
How does PS5's external SSD expansion work?
The PS5's internal storage can be expanded with an off-the-shelf drive - meaning NVMe PC drives will work in your console.
However, it's not as straightforward as choosing a larger sized hard drive size and assuming it will work the same as what's already in the system, as many SSDs on the market today don't have the same bandwidth specifications.
Digital Foundry explains the technical reasons behind this in closer detail, but the long and short of it is - though many NVMe SSDs will physically fit, not all will get as much out of the PS5's dedicated hardware in the same way.
When you have a supported SSD drive, you can install it into a dedicated bay found underneath one of the white side panels. Just remember to bring a screwdriver and maybe a flashlight.
From there, you can unscrew the panel and insert it into the bay.
For more detailed instructions, the official support site can guide you through it step-by-step.
PS5 compatible SSD guidelines: Which M.2 SSDs are supported?
At launch, Sony said it would be validating hard drives which will offer similar or improved speed capabilities as its own proprietary drives. However, in the summer following the system's release, it has instead released a series of guidelines for users to follow.
Before we get started, make sure your console has firmware which supports use of the M.2 SSD expansion bay. At first, in July 2021, this was only through an invite-only beta, so make sure you have access to that, or simply wait for the wider public release.
What follows is a list of requirements for any M.2 NVMe SSD that can be used on PS5 at a glance, copied verbatim from the official support site, which has more specifics if you need them.
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 250 GB - 4 TB |
| Cooling structure | 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 a double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in. |
| Sequential read speed | 5500 MB/s or faster is recommended |
| Module width | 22 mm width (25 mm 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) |
| Total size including cooling structure | In millimetres: smaller than 110 mm (L) x 25 mm (W) x 11.25 mm (H). In inches: smaller than 4.33 in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442 in (H). See the official support site for full requirements and dimensions, including diagrams. |
| Other requirements | Both single-sided and double-sided M.2 SSD devices are supported. M.2 SATA SSDs aren't supported. |
As well as the above, Sony has said it cannot guarantee SSDs which work even if they fit the above specifications, and that it's possible they won't match the same performance as the internal SSD.
If you're confused, then don't worry - it might be worth waiting until publications and users test what's on the market to help give you options without the trial and error yourself. Until then, Digital Foundry has put together a list of the best PS5 SSDs which fit the above specifications - note these are untested, so those are all in theory and based on Sony's requirements so far.
To quote Digital Foundry's Rich Leadbetter from the original specs reveal for the PS5: "In the short term at least, the advice is simple: don't buy an NVMe drive without Sony validation if you plan to use it in PlayStation 5. Also remember that extreme bandwidth PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives are likely to be very expensive - in the short term, at least.
"This is cutting-edge technology, after all. Obviously though, the outlook should improve significantly as the next generation progresses - and prices do tend to drop significantly over time."
So - though you're likely stuck with your 825GB of super fast storage if you want to save money, the good news is the industry will catch up to offer suitable options to help you expand your PS5 storage in time.
