PlayStation 5 was released November 12, 2020 (November 19, 2020 everywhere else) with only 825 GB onboard. You could not extend or “upgrade” the amount of storage to house installation of games. 825 GB was not enough to house large games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Call of Duty: Warzone which requires over 100GB on their own. There are USB ports on the back of the system to allow for external hard drives to save games, but with some exceptions. That exception is the saved games would have to be PlayStation 4 or at least a PlayStation console that has the same specifications as PlayStation 4 or lower. Like PlayStation VR games, which is native to PS4 for the time being. Another way to extend or upgrade your storage is a M.2 SSD Slot which can be seen in a PlayStation 5 teardown video (embedded below).
As you can see, you can put a PCIe NVMe solid state drive which looks like a chip. However, you can’t just put any kind of PCIe NVMe SSD and be done with it. That SSD must be certified, approved by Sony themselves. At the most, it must be “compatible” with Sony’s PlayStation 5. Sony’s specifications are as follows…
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
Capacity: 250GB – 4TB
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.
Sequential read speed: 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended
Module width: 22mm width (25mm 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 millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H).
In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H).See below for full requirements.
Length
The following M.2 SSD lengths are compatible with PS5 consoles:
30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm (corresponding to the form factor type, per above).Width
A 22mm-wide M.2 SSD module is required.
The total structure (including an added cooling structure) cannot exceed 25mm (0.984in).Height
The total height of the M.2 SSD and its cooling structure (such as a heatsink) – whether built-in or separate – must be less than 11.25mm (0.442in).
The height must also be in the right place, in relation to the M.2 SSD’s circuit board: The size below the board must be less than 2.45mm (0.096in). The total size above the board must be less than 8mm (0.314in).(Note: millimeter measurements are the technical standard and are more precise than inches. We recommend double-checking that the total dimensions of M.2 SSD and heatsink products you’re considering meet the millimeter requirements before purchasing)
Both single-sided and double-sided M.2 SSD devices are supported.
M.2 SATA SSDs aren’t supported.
You should carefully review drive specifications prior to purchase and contact the vendor or manufacturer if you need further information. SIE cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSD devices meeting the described specifications will work with your console and assumes no responsibility for the selection, performance or use of third-party products.
Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
The majority of M.2 SSD devices with the above type numbers (M Key Type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110) and without a built-in cooling structure will fit the PS5 console’s SSD slot. However, sizes for cooling structures (like heatsinks) vary greatly. If you are not sure an M.2 SSD or cooling structure (such as a heatsink) you’re considering meets the size requirements outlined here, we recommend looking for another product option or contacting the vendor or manufacturer for more information.
The first major update was 21.01.03.00.00 which brought many features to the system. The second update was 21.01-03.10.00. The third update was 21.01-03.20.00. The fourth update was 21.01-03.21.00. However, this new update is a beta update to collect information to catch issues, errors, and the frequency of these issues, bugs, errors, etc. Sony launched a page specifically for the M.2 beta update here. That page comes with more and more information including F.A.Q’s.
To join the PlayStation beta program, which includes PlayStation 5 beta updates, head over here to get started. Good luck!
