Sony Enables M.2 SSD Slot For Storage Upgrades on PlayStation 5

[Uskompuf]

Sony has recently enabled the M.2 slot found in the PlayStation 5 with a beta update which allows users to upgrade the storage of their device with a compatible PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD. The PlayStation 5 can only install games to the internal storage as external storage is not fast enough so the introduction of this capability will help expand the 825 GB (667.2 GB usable) of internal storage. Sony recommends that users select a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD with sequential read speeds of 5500 Mbps or higher but have yet to certify any specific models as compatible. Seagate has confirmed that their FireCuda 530 SDD which is offered with capacities from 500 GB to 4 TB will be compatible while various models from Corsair, Sabrent, and Western Digital also appear to meet the speed requirements. Sony should release this feature to non-beta users in the near future and also notes that some games may have reduced performance when running with an M.2 SSD.



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[Gralorn]

Sony can specify models, but it won’t mean anything if the companies can freely change the components of their drives without any notification.

 

[BluesFanUK]

... and the upgrade will likely cost more than the console itself.

Better off buying a small 4-5TB HDD for unlimited storage space at a fraction of the cost, store everything on it and transfer data as and when. It'll still be quicker to transfer game data over having to re-download a game, patches, DLC, install times etc

Until SSD's reach an acceptable level per terabyte, this is pointless, and this isn't going to happen anytime soon. SSD manufacturers are obsessed with making drives faster rather than trying to actually eliminate spinning rust in the capacity/price section, something that is far more important to most people.

 

[Tomorrow]

... and the upgrade will likely cost more than the console itself.

Better off buying a small 4-5TB HDD for unlimited storage space at a fraction of the cost, store everything on it and transfer data as and when. It'll still be quicker to transfer game data over having to re-download a game, patches, DLC, install times etc

Until SSD's reach an acceptable level per terabyte, this is pointless, and this isn't going to happen anytime soon. SSD manufacturers are obsessed with making drives faster rather than trying to actually eliminate spinning rust in the capacity/price section, something that is far more important to most people.

...Unless games require SSD and you run out of space on the internal drive.
But yes. Buying even a 1TB PCIe 4.0 drive that meets these requirements costs 150-200. 2TB is 350+ and for 4TB you can buy two PS5's

 

[TheLostSwede]

... and the upgrade will likely cost more than the console itself.

Better off buying a small 4-5TB HDD for unlimited storage space at a fraction of the cost, store everything on it and transfer data as and when. It'll still be quicker to transfer game data over having to re-download a game, patches, DLC, install times etc

Until SSD's reach an acceptable level per terabyte, this is pointless, and this isn't going to happen anytime soon. SSD manufacturers are obsessed with making drives faster rather than trying to actually eliminate spinning rust in the capacity/price section, something that is far more important to most people.

I guess you've not read up on the PS5 storage requirements? Most PS5 games have to be installed on an Nvme SSD or they won't function, at all. So sadly, your suggestion isn't an option.

 

[Chomiq]

It's not about the cost of an HDD/SSD/PCIe 4 NVMe, it's about being able to install anything that meets the required specification instead of using proprietary drives in case of Xbox (which has one, yes one external drive from Seagate).
The only limitation so far is the write/read speed and the physical size of the drive with the heatsink installed.

I guess you've not read up on the PS5 storage requirements? Most PS5 games have to be installed on an Nvme SSD or they won't function, at all. So sadly, your suggestion isn't an option.

It is an option. You store your games externally and copy them over to your internal NVMe whenever you want to play it. That way you don't have to redownload entire game each time. CoD takes like what? 100gb+ and you have something around 670GB for the actual games on the internal NVMe.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It is an option. You store your games externally and copy them over to your internal NVMe whenever you want to play it. That way you don't have to redownload entire game each time. CoD takes like what? 100gb+ and you have something around 670GB for the actual games on the internal NVMe.

Sounds like a great way to kill that non removable internal SSD even quicker.

 

[Chomiq]

Sounds like a great way to kill that non removable internal SSD even quicker.

Nobody in their right mind will reinstall games on a daily/weekly basis. But it sure helps users that have ISP's with data caps.

 

[Tomorrow]

Nobody in their right mind will reinstall games on a daily/weekly basis. But it sure helps users that have ISP's with data caps.

...or subpar speeds. I use this system on my desktop. I have a 2TB PCIe 4.0 drive for games and a 14TB HDD for storage.

 

[bonehead123]

'bout friggin time, this shoulda been enabled from day 1.. shame on you Sony

This is the kinda sh*t that makes me neva, eva wanna buy a friggin console...

 

[Deleted member 185088]

Until SSD's reach an acceptable level per terabyte.

SSD pricing is stupid, you can often get 2 SSD for lower price than 1 SSD, it doesn't make any sense, there are more component on 2 SSDs than 1 yet 1 is more expensive.

 

[bonehead123]

SSD pricing is stupid, you can often get 2 SSD for lower price than 1 SSD, it doesn't make any sense, there are more component on 2 SSDs than 1 yet 1 is more expensive.

if you meant 2TB vs 1TB pricing, then yea it is getting really stupido right now... hopefully this will change soon, if the chip shortage subsides any time soon...

 

[Camm]

Honestly, with Sony not even guarunteeing that drives that meet Sony's specifications will work on all titles puts this into such a mess.

Time for Sony to either have a validation list at least, or preferably, a Sony branded or endorsed drive ala the Seagate Xbox expansion.

 

[bonehead123]

Time for Sony to either have a validation list at least, or preferably, a Sony branded or endorsed drive ala the Seagate Xbox expansion.

Then they would just use one or both of the above to justify jackin up prices even moar & furthering their profit margin goals at our expense....well, they can just B/M/A at this point in time

 

[swaaye]

This focus on storage performance is such a curious thing with this generation. Sustained storage performance that can transfer an entire 50GB game in like 10 seconds. I suppose it's really just a way to get more from the limited amount of RAM in the machine. But man what a gigantic jump from the hard drive anchoring of the previous machines. And just think about the old optical-based consoles with horrific data access time.

 

[Tartaros]

The positive thing about this is at least in the next years the drives will be cheaper and will be easier to get proper upgrades. On the other hand, Microsoft uses propietary drives that surely won't drop pricing.

Seems Sony learnt something for all the Memory Stick and Vita Cards fiasco, at long last.

 

[newtekie1]

I think it's crazy that Sony is recommending an SSD with 5500MB/s, like that's going to make a huge or even noticeable difference. That recommendation is just so that they and their partners can charge extra for a "Sony Recommended" drive.

SSD pricing is stupid, you can often get 2 SSD for lower price than 1 SSD, it doesn't make any sense, there are more component on 2 SSDs than 1 yet 1 is more expensive.

Isn't this often the case with all types of storage? An 8TB Hard Drive is more expensive than 2 4TB Hard Drives. The price of storage often doesn't go up linearly with capacity.

 

[Durvelle27]

My problem is how Sony pushed the SSD as being easy to upgrade, multiple options, and cost. Yet that's not the case as its space constrained which limits options which increases price not to mention you must have an heatsink which again affects space.

Sony should have had this better planned out from the beginning. Being almost a year later with minimal options still out is kinda sad


I kind a like Microsofts option better as you just plug in and go and it's cheaper. You can normally find them under $200

 

[newtekie1]

My problem is how Sony pushed the SSD as being easy to upgrade, multiple options, and cost. Yet that's not the case as its space constrained which limits options which increases price not to mention you must have an heatsink which again affects space.

From what I can see any 2280 SSD should fit, which is pretty much all M.2 consumer SSDs on the market right now. And I think the whole heatsink thing is bogus too. M.2 SSDs don't get hot when they are being read from, only when writing. So the SSD might bet hot and thermal throttle when installing a game.

But since they specifically say "you can add a heatsink to your SSD" I'm assuming they only really put that requirement in there so they can sell the "Official Sony PS5 M.2 SSD Heatsink" which will just be an aluminum sticker that you can put on your SSD with PS5 printed on it. It can be yours for the low low price of $99.99.

 

[Durvelle27]

From what I can see any 2280 SSD should fit, which is pretty much all M.2 consumer SSDs on the market right now. And I think the whole heatsink thing is bogus too. M.2 SSDs don't get hot when they are being read from, only when writing. So the SSD might bet hot and thermal throttle when installing a game.

But since they specifically say "you can add a heatsink to your SSD" I'm assuming they only really put that requirement in there so they can sell the "Official Sony PS5 M.2 SSD Heatsink" which will just be an aluminum sticker that you can put on your SSD with PS5 printed on it. It can be yours for the low low price of $99.99.

The heatsink thing is not bogus. Have you seen on the PS5 where the slot is located. There is minimal airflow through that area. PCs are fine because they have much better airflow and the heat can dissipate vs where the SSD is located on the PS5

Also Sony said heatsinks are required not optional

"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 double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in."

 

[newtekie1]

The heatsink thing is not bogus. Have you seen on the PS5 where the slot is located. There is minimal airflow through that area. PCs are fine because they have much better airflow and the heat can dissipate vs where the SSD is located on the PS5

Yeah, it's bogus. NVMe SSDs don't get hot when reading data. Even with no airflow and no heatsink, they don't thermal throttle. And if there is truly no airflow, a heatsink isn't going to help any other than slightly delay the thermal throttling.

Also Sony said heatsinks are required not optional

"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 double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in."

Of course they did, so they can sell the PS5 branded piece of aluminum foil for $99.99. But it's going to do nothing.

 

[Deleted member 185088]

I think it's crazy that Sony is recommending an SSD with 5500MB/s, like that's going to make a huge or even noticeable difference. That recommendation is just so that they and their partners can charge extra for a "Sony Recommended" drive.


Isn't this often the case with all types of storage? An 8TB Hard Drive is more expensive than 2 4TB Hard Drives. The price of storage often doesn't go up linearly with capacity.

Not really an 8TB is a little bit cheaper than a 2 4TB of the same model, maybe higher density HDD tend to be different models like for video surveillance.
SSD pricing is just dumb.