PS5

Adding an M.2 SSD to a PS5: compatibility, heatsinks and installation basics

TUREFF• •0
The PS5 has a spare M.2 slot inside, and filling it is the most effective way to add storage that can run PS5 games directly. It is a straightforward job if you choose the right drive. Most problems come from a drive that is the wrong type or too tall once cooling is added.

What Sony requires

Sony publishes its specification on its support site. At the time of writing it says:
  • Interface: PCI-Express Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD (M key). M.2 SATA drives are not supported, and Gen3 drives are not suitable.
  • Capacity: 250 GB up to 8 TB.
  • Form factor: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 lengths.
  • Size including cooling: up to 25 mm wide and up to 11.25 mm thick in total, with no more than 8 mm above the circuit board and 2.45 mm below it.
  • Speed: a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster is recommended. Sony also notes that some games may not perform identically to the internal drive.
The most common size is 2280, which fits with the spacer that comes in the slot. Check the current requirements before buying, as Sony has revised them before.

Heatsinks

Sony states that effective cooling is required: a heatsink, a heat transfer sheet, or a drive with cooling built in. Single-sided and double-sided heatsinks are both allowed.
  • Buying a drive with a heatsink fitted: the simplest option, but confirm the total thickness is within 11.25 mm. Some desktop heatsinks are too tall.
  • Buying a bare drive: you need a low-profile PS5-compatible heatsink. Many are sold specifically for the console.
  • Never stack cooling: do not add a heatsink to a drive that already has one.
  • Never run a drive bare: Sony says the drive should not be used without cooling.

Before you start

  • Update the console to the latest system software.
  • Gather a number 1 Phillips (cross-head) screwdriver, a well-lit table and a soft cloth. A small torch helps.
  • Switch the console fully off, not into rest mode, unplug every cable and let it cool.
  • Touch a grounded metal object to discharge static before handling the drive.

Installation, in outline

The steps differ by model, so look up your model number and follow Sony's guide for that group. On the original model group you remove the base and lift off one side cover. On later model groups, a smaller cover gives access to the slot without removing the main panels. The common steps are:
  1. Remove the screw and cover from the expansion slot.
  2. Remove the screw and spacer, then move the spacer to the hole matching your drive's length.
  3. Line up the notch on the drive with the connector, insert it at an angle and push it fully home.
  4. Press the drive down flat and secure it with the screw.
  5. Refit the slot cover and any outer panels, reconnect the cables and switch on.
  6. Follow the on-screen prompt to format the drive. Formatting erases anything already on it.

After installation

Go to Settings > Storage to check the drive appears and to choose where new installs go. You can move games between internal and M.2 storage freely; moving is usually quicker than redownloading. A few habits keep things tidy:
  • Keep your most-played PS5 games on the fastest storage and use USB extended storage for PS4 titles or long-term archiving.
  • Remember that a full console backup does not copy games on the M.2 drive. They stay on it and work again when the console sees the drive.
  • If the console reports a drive problem, power off, reseat the drive and check the screw is not overtightened.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a SATA M.2 or a Gen3 drive because the connector looks the same.
  • A heatsink that fits on paper but leaves the slot cover bulging.
  • Skipping the system software update and wondering why the drive is not recognised.
Which drive and heatsink combination are you using? Share your setup in the comments.

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