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So you’ve had your PS5 for a while now and your game library is rapidly expanding. New games are constantly coming out and you want to download them, or save some really memorable files that you want to cherish. But with only 825GB (667GB if you take away system storage) of usable space on the internal ultra high-speed SSD, you’re bumping up against problems much sooner than expected.
Aaand there never seems to be enough room for that next huge game install. Welp, don’t worry friend. Turns out there are pretty easy ways to get additional storage for your PS5. In this article, we are going to go over your options to increase capacity, so you may keep enjoying your PS5 without storage restrictions.
The Built-In NVMe SSD Slot
The most obvious and effective way to add storage to your PS5 is to use the built-in NVMe SSD slot. This gives you direct access to ultra-fast PCIe Gen4 speeds up to 5.5GB/s for lightning quick game load times.Sony recommends drives that can handle at least 5,500MB/s read speeds and PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 NVMe SSDs. Most drives today are PCIe Gen3, but Gen4 drives offer twice the bandwidth. We’ll explain the difference:
PCIe gen 3 drives top out around 3,500MB/s. This is fast for sure, but sadly, can’t fully take advantage of the PS5’s power. PCIe gen 4 drives hit over 7,000MB/s, giving you up to twice the speed. So, for peak performance, Gen 4 is the way to go.
If you’re not sure which ones to go for in specific,some of the recommended options are the Western Digital SN850 (officially licensed, btw), Samsung 980 Pro, Seagate FireCuda 530, and Gigabyte Aorus. Just make sure your Gen 4 drive also has a heatsink so that the PS5 can stay cool under heavy loads.
Once you’ve selected a compatible NVMe drive, physically installing it just takes a few minutes. Flip your PS5 over to remove the base cover, then locate the NVMe slot (it’s near the Blu-ray drive). Carefully insert your drive into the slot and secure the screw. Boot up your PS5, format your new drive, and you’re all set with expanded storage.
Or if you’re not too sure, call in a professional, and it should not cost you all that much to have it installed. There’s another catch though (a fairly obvious one, too) -you can only have one NVMe drive installed at a time.But then again, it’s also super simple to swap drives if you ever want to upgrade the capacity down the road.
How To Format Your M.2 SSD Slot
External USB Drives
If you’d rather add external storage instead of cracking open your PS5, using a USB drive (or even an external SSD/HDD) is a super convenient option.Nearly any USB 3.0 compatible drive can connect to your PS5 and be used for media gallery content, game saves, and even PS4 games.Of course, your load times are going to be a tad bit slower than the built-in SSD, but it’s all still very usable.
For PS4 titles, USB 3.0 flash drives or portable SSDs work well. Standard external hard drives are also compatible for PS4 games, just expect longer load times. If you play a mix of PS4 and PS5 games, you may set your external drive to only store PS4 titles. This keeps your precious internal SSD space free for the good stuff.
One more thing to keep in mind is that PS5 games can’t run directly from a USB drive.The speed limitations prevent external drives from meeting the requirements for PS5 games. But you can still store PS5 games on a USB drive and transfer them back to the main SSD when you want to play. It just takes some extra time.
Formatting An External SSD
Putting an external USB SSD into your PS5 is a fairly straightforward process. Here’s what you’re gonna do:
The whole process only takes a minute or two. Once your external SSD shows under USB Extended Storage, you’re pretty much good to go.
Maximizing Your Storage
Apart from directly adding more drives and devices, there are some ways to maximize the storage you already have. First,don’t forget to offload your PS4 data if you still have a backup on an external drive.You can also delete unused themes and galleries you no longer need from your capture gallery or downloads.
And remember to clear your cache every now and then to free up space. You can also upgrade games selectively instead of the entire PS4 catalogue. This lets you choose only your most-played PS4 titles to upgrade with enhanced PS5 features.
Archiving unused games is another cool way to optimize your storage.This removes the game file from your SSD but keeps the save data and settings. So games can easily be unarchived later if you want to play again. Also, any games that you own as PS4 discs don’t need a full second download when played on your PS5, which is not too bad. You’ll still access enhanced features without redownloading the entire game. Sogo physical when possible to save some SSD room (even for any new games you’re gonna buy on the PS5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get an external HDD or SSD?
While external HDDs are cheaper, SSDs load much, MUCH faster. Mainly cause they connect via USB 3.0 or USB-C, so they’re still 5-10x faster than HDDs. If you play lots of PS4 games, a portable SSD is definitely worth the extra cost for performance. If gaming is not really your concern, and you’re looking for a place to store cool media shots and videos, then HDD is an okay substitute.
Can I use the same external drive for both PS4 and PS5?
Absolutely! Set your external drive to either media storage or “PS4 Games and Media” when formatting to share files, captures, and PS4 games between both consoles. Just remember PS5 games can’t run directly from external drives yet.
Should I take any cooling precautions with added M.2 drives?
Absolutely, yes. The M.2 slot can get hot, especially during intense gaming sessions. Make sure any drive you install has an integrated heatsink to dissipate heat. Most SSD vendors now sell M.2 drives with heatsinks pre-installed. You can also add third party heatsinks yourself if needed.
