Fast Hyperlinks
- The Constructed-In NVMe SSD Slot
- Ceaselessly Requested Questions
So you’ve got had your PS5 for some time now and your sport library is quickly increasing. New video games are consistently popping out and also you wish to obtain them, or avoid wasting actually memorable recordsdata that you simply wish to cherish. However with solely 825GB (667GB should you take away system storage) of usable area on the interior extremely high-speed SSD, you’re bumping up towards issues a lot ahead of anticipated.

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Aaand there by no means appears to be sufficient room for that subsequent large sport set up. Welp, don’t fear pal. Turns on the market are fairly simple methods to get further storage on your PS5. On this article, we’re going to go over your choices to extend capability, so you may maintain having fun with your PS5 with out storage restrictions.
The Constructed-In NVMe SSD Slot
The obvious and efficient method so as to add storage to your PS5 is to make use of the built-in NVMe SSD slot. This offers you direct entry to ultra-fast PCIe Gen4 speeds as much as 5.5GB/s for lightning fast sport load instances. Sony recommends drives that may deal with at the least 5,500MB/s learn speeds and PCIe Gen 4×4 M.2 NVMe SSDs. Most drives right this moment are PCIe Gen3, however Gen4 drives provide twice the bandwidth. We’ll clarify the distinction:
PCIe gen 3 drives high out round 3,500MB/s. That is quick for positive, however sadly, can’t totally reap the benefits of the PS5’s energy. PCIe gen 4 drives hit over 7,000MB/s, providing you with as much as twice the velocity. So, for peak efficiency, Gen 4 is the best way to go.
For those who’re undecided which of them to go for in particular, a number of the advisable choices are the Western Digital SN850 (formally licensed, btw), Samsung 980 Professional, Seagate FireCuda 530, and Gigabyte Aorus. Simply be certain that your Gen 4 drive additionally has a heatsink in order that the PS5 can keep cool beneath heavy masses.
When you’ve chosen a appropriate NVMe drive, bodily putting in it simply takes a couple of minutes. Flip your PS5 over to take away the bottom cowl, then find the NVMe slot (it’s close to the Blu-ray drive). Fastidiously insert your drive into the slot and safe the screw. Boot up your PS5, format your new drive, and also you’re all set with expanded storage.
Or should you’re not too positive, name in an expert, and it shouldn’t value you all that a lot to have it put in. There’s one other catch although (a reasonably apparent one, too) – you may solely have one NVMe drive put in at a time. However then once more, it’s additionally tremendous easy to swap drives should you ever wish to improve the capability down the street.
How To Format Your M.2 SSD Slot
- After bodily putting in your M.2 drive, energy in your PS5 and go to Settings > Storage > M.2 SSD Storage Enlargement.
- Choose the brand new drive detected within the M.2 slot. The PS5 will first test for compatibility and make sure the drive meets efficiency necessities.
- On the subsequent display, choose “Format as PlayStation Storage Prolonged Storage” to start the formatting course of.
Exterior USB Drives
For those who’d slightly add exterior storage as an alternative of cracking open your PS5, utilizing a USB drive (and even an exterior SSD/HDD) is an excellent handy choice. Almost any USB 3.0 appropriate drive can connect with your PS5 and be used for media gallery content material, sport saves, and even PS4 video games. In fact, your load instances are going to be a tad bit slower than the built-in SSD, but it surely’s all nonetheless very usable.

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For PS4 titles, USB 3.0 flash drives or moveable SSDs work nicely. Normal exterior arduous drives are additionally appropriate for PS4 video games, simply anticipate longer load instances. For those who play a mixture of PS4 and PS5 video games, you may set your exterior drive to solely retailer PS4 titles. This retains your treasured inner SSD area free for the great things.
Another factor to bear in mind is that PS5 video games can’t run instantly from a USB drive. The velocity limitations forestall exterior drives from assembly the necessities for PS5 video games. However you may nonetheless retailer PS5 video games on a USB drive and switch them again to the principle SSD while you wish to play. It simply takes some further time.
Formatting An Exterior SSD
Placing an exterior USB SSD into your PS5 is a reasonably simple course of. Right here’s what you are gonna do:
- Join your exterior SSD to one of many USB ports on the again of the PS5 (you should use a USB-C 3.1 or USB-A 3.0 appropriate drive).
- Now head on over to your PS5 dashboard, go to Settings > Storage > USB Prolonged Storage.
- Choose your linked SSD from the record thingy.
- Select “Format as USB Prolonged Storage”. Fast warning, it will erase and reformat your entire drive solely for PS5 use, so if in case you have any essential stuff on there, be sure you run a fast backup.
- Choose if you wish to set up PS4 video games and media or strictly media content material like video captures on this drive.
- Verify the format when prompted, and the fantastic PS5 will deal with the remainder.
The entire course of solely takes a minute or two. As soon as your exterior SSD reveals beneath USB Prolonged Storage, you are just about good to go.
Maximizing Your Storage
Aside from instantly including extra drives and gadgets, there are some methods to maximise the storage you have already got. First, don’t neglect to dump your PS4 knowledge should you nonetheless have a backup on an exterior drive. You too can delete unused themes and galleries you not want out of your seize gallery or downloads.
And bear in mind to clear your cache now and again to release area. You too can improve video games selectively as an alternative of your entire PS4 catalogue. This allows you to select solely your most-played PS4 titles to improve with enhanced PS5 options.
Archiving unused video games is one other cool strategy to optimize your storage. This removes the sport file out of your SSD however retains the save knowledge and settings. So video games can simply be unarchived later if you wish to play once more. Additionally, any video games that you simply personal as PS4 discs don’t want a full second obtain when performed in your PS5, which isn’t too unhealthy. You’ll nonetheless entry enhanced options with out redownloading your entire sport. So go bodily when potential to avoid wasting SSD room (even for any new video games you are gonna purchase on the PS5).
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Ought to I get an exterior HDD or SSD?
Whereas exterior HDDs are cheaper, SSDs load a lot, MUCH quicker. Primarily trigger they join through USB 3.0 or USB-C, in order that they’re nonetheless 5-10x quicker than HDDs. For those who play a number of PS4 video games, a conveyable SSD is certainly price the additional value for efficiency. If gaming shouldn’t be actually your concern, and also you’re searching for a spot to retailer cool media pictures and movies, then HDD is an okay substitute.
Can I take advantage of the identical exterior drive for each PS4 and PS5?
Completely! Set your exterior drive to both media storage or “PS4 Video games and Media” when formatting to share recordsdata, captures, and PS4 video games between each consoles. Simply bear in mind PS5 video games can’t run instantly from exterior drives but.
Ought to I take any cooling precautions with added M.2 drives?
Completely, sure. The M.2 slot can get sizzling, particularly throughout intense gaming periods. Be sure that any drive you put in has an built-in heatsink to dissipate warmth. Most SSD distributors now promote M.2 drives with heatsinks pre-installed. You too can add third occasion heatsinks your self if wanted.

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