Since its announcement, Sony guaranteed that the PS5 would allow for the extension of internal storage. They limited the PlayStation 5 to 825GB, and this is very easy to fill. That’s why there is an expansion slot in the console’s body that supports an additional SSD that you can install. However, Sony had urged not to purchase any additional SSDs until they released a supported list. The first names have arrived, and they meet the minimum requirements necessary to maintain the performance and speed of PlayStation 5 games. But what are these requirements? What do you need to know before proceeding with the installation? And how do you install them? Here is my complete how to install an additional SSD on PS5 guide!
WHY DO YOU NEED TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SSD?
The internal storage space of PS5 has always aroused more than one perplexity. As mentioned, the available 825 GB, in fact, are not a lot for those who usually keep several titles installed at the same time. For example, Call of Duty: Warzone takes massive amounts of space, so this makes it difficult to keep many more games installed.
Installing an additional SSD allows you to have more space available to save your games and keep them installed, enhancing your gaming experience. In fact, I want to remind you that Sony added support for hard drives via USB for PlayStation 5 games. However, this feature archives the game, meaning you can’t run it directly from the external drive. To play them, you must always move them to the console’s native SSD. Alternatively, you can refer to the Quick Start Guide to learn how to utilize the newly installed additional SSD for seamless gameplay, ensuring you have quick access to all your favorite titles.
REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
As Sony pointed out, they confirmed support for the Seagate Firecuda SSD. However, take note that not all SSDs can be used to extend PS5’s storage. There are, indeed, very precise specifications that your SSD must respect, which I summarized below.
- Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
- Capacity: 250GB – 4TB
- Reading speed: 5,500 MB / s or higher
- Length: 22 mm
- Form factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110
- Socket: Socket 3
- Maximum dimensions including heatsink: Less than 110mm (width) x 25mm (length) x 11.25mm (height)
SUPPORTED SSD’S
By choosing one of the models below, you will not run into any possible unexpected compatibility issues.
- Seagate FireCuda 530
- Gigabyte Aorus Gen4 7000s
- Western Digital Black SN850
- Samsung 980 Pro
- Patriot Viper VP4300
- Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade
HOW TO INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SSD?
Once you have chosen your SSD following the specifications, or by directly purchasing one of those already officially supported by the Sony console, let’s see together how to install an additional SSD on PS5 in several steps.
- Make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your console. Otherwise, you cannot take advantage of the support for additional SSDs.
- Before handling your new SSD, touch any grounded metal object to discharge your static.
- Make sure you turned your PlayStation 5 off. Also remember that it will format your additional SSD for use with the console. If you used it on other devices, then save the data before installing it on PS5.
- Now that the console is off, disconnect the power and HDMI cables and place the console horizontally, with the bottom shell facing upwards, towards you.
- Push the cover sideways (from left to right, where the bottom of the console is right) to release it. Remove it.
- You will see the inside of the console. At the bottom (on your right, if you are on the front side of the console) you will find the Blu-Ray player, at the opposite end (on the left) of the fan. Next to the fan, towards you (i.e. towards the front, where the console also has the USB port and the power and disc eject buttons on the side) you will see a metal rectangle. It is the expansion slot of the SSD.
- Remove the screw located to the left of this small metal slot.
- Once you removed the cover, also remove the support that is useful for adjusting the slot space. You will reinstall it depending on the size of your SSD.
- Align your SSD with the connectors on the right side of the slot (towards the bottom of the console) and install it.
- Once docked, spread the SSD into its slot and secure it with its screws.
- Reinsert the cover of the PS5 SSD slot and lock it with the screw.
- Fix the PlayStation 5 body by sliding it into place. You will hear a “click” when it is properly engaged.
- Place your PS5 wherever you prefer, connect the power cable and the HDMI cable and turn it on. Do not turn on your PS5 unless you have first reinstalled the console shell.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to format the newly detected SSD.
HOW TO INSTALL GAMES ON YOUR ADDITIONAL SSD?
Now that you have the new SSD installed on your PS5, the console will format it. Warning: it is not possible to create partitions on the SSD. This means that when formatted, it will affect your storage media in full. Once you understand this concept, you can decide where to save your games simply from the console settings.
- From your dashboard, go to Settings > Storage > Installation location.
- Select the games you want to transfer and press the Options button on your controller.
- Select the Move item.
- If you use an additional SSD and at the same time, you have connected a USB support such as a hard disk, then in step 3 select “Objects that you can move to M.2 SSD storage”.
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