SSD Buying Guide for PlayStation 5; Sony added the M.2 SSD capability to the console with the release of the first PlayStation 5 software beta last Thursday. This feature will allow users to use another SSD alongside the original PlayStation 5 SSD. However, the PlayStation 5 console does not support all SSDs on the market, and these memories must have certain features to install and perform properly on the PlayStation 5.
SSD Buying Guide for PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 console only supports PCI Gen4 memory with a minimum of 250 GB of storage. However, Sony has stated that these memories must be equipped with Heatsink, which has made things a bit difficult due to the small space of the M.2 SSD console slot. Users can use heatsink-equipped SSDs to upgrade PlayStation 5 memory, or purchase a separate heatsink and install it on the SSD.
The best SSDs equipped with a heatsink
Western Digital said in a review of specifications released by Sony that the company’s WD Black SN850 series memory (with 500GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage) will be available on the PlayStation 5 console. The speed of these memories is much faster than the PlayStation 5 required, but the price of the version equipped with their heatsink is slightly higher. For example, a 1TB version with a heatsink of this series of memories is $ 20 more expensive than the version without a heatsink. PlayStation 5 chief architect Mark Cerny has used the same SSD.
Seagate also announced that the company’s Firecuda 530 memory will be compatible with the PlayStation 5 console. Launched in late August (early September), the products will be available in three versions: 500GB ($ 160), 1TB ($ 260) and 2TB ($ 540). Versions equipped with heatsinks use an orange strip next to the connector.
The best SSDs without a heatsink
Many SSDs on the market have the right speed for use on the PlayStation 5, but they are not equipped with any heatsink and you have to install the heatsink manually on them. According to Sony, the height of these heatsinks should not exceed 8 mm. So keep this in mind when buying a heatsink for SSD memory.
One of the best SSDs without heatsink is the Samsung 980 Pro. The Heatsink EK Waterblock is a great choice for this memory, and it also supports the specifications of the PlayStation 5. If you want to use 1 terabyte of space, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus memory is also a good option. This memory is also available in 2 and 4 terabyte versions, but these versions are two-sided and it is difficult to find the required heatsink for them. Fortunately, the 1TB version of this memory is one-sided and can be used on the PlayStation 5 console if a heatsink is installed on it.
Patriot Viper Gaming SSD memory is another option that the PlayStation 5 console supports, but the speed of this memory is lower than the value specified by Sony. However, this memory is equipped with a heatsink and does not need to be installed separately.
Two-way SSDs
Duplex memory uses two chips on the front and back of the PCB. “The need to install two heatsinks on dual memory,” said Greg Schultz, a memory analyst at StorageIO.
The thicker the memory cover, the more heat will need to be transferred to the outside. This heat must be dissipated by airflow or other methods such as the use of heat sinks, small cooling fans, or heat transfer tapes.
Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 M.2 SSD slot does not have enough space to transfer heat through the air stream. Therefore, duplex memories fall into the category of non-heatsink memories. While many heatsinks are compatible with this type of memory, most of them are over 8 mm high and impossible to use on the PlayStation 5 console. If you plan to use dual memory on the PlayStation 5, you should either use a heatsink on one side of the SSD and hope the SSD does not overheat, or you should use ultra-thin cooling pads such as the M.2 Copper heatsink Cooler. do.
NVMe Dual Memory Sabrent Rocket dual memory is also available in three versions: 500GB, 1TB and 2TB on the PlayStation 5 console. The speed of this SSD is a bit slower than what Sony has specified, but in the tests performed, it did not show any particular problem. The PNY XLR8 CS3040 is another dual memory supported by the PlayStation 5 console.
Detailed specifications of SSDs supported by PlayStation 5
According to Sony, the PlayStation 5 console only supports Gen4 memory with a minimum of 250 GB of storage and will not use any Gen3 or SATA memory. Sony has also suggested that the speed of these memories be 5,500 MB or more. Sony has also posted pictures of the specifications of the heatsinks required for SSDs on its official website. According to Sony, the size of double-sided or single-sided SSDs with heatsink should not exceed 11.25 mm. Also, the maximum height of these memories should be 8 mm. This height includes the height of the heatsink and even the cooling pads.
Conclusion
Currently, the ability to add external SSD memory to the PlayStation 5 console is in beta, and only new beta users have access to this feature. Sony has also announced that some SSDs will not work on the console, despite supporting all the specs required by the PlayStation 5. So it is better to avoid buying SSD memory for PlayStation 5 for now.
What do you think about the ability to add an SSD to the PlayStation 5? Are you satisfied with Sony‘s approach to this feature? Share your comments with us.
