Sony started beta testing the first software update for the PS5 today, and it includes support for M.2 SSD expandable storage. The long-awaited feature is available for testers now and will launch on all PS5 consoles later this year. We'll have to test a variety of drives with the PS5, but for now Sony requires at least a PCIe Gen4 SSD, with a minimum capacity of 250GB. Sony also recommends a drive capable of 5500MB/s, but drives Slower Gen4 can still be supported.
I tested the Corsair Force MP600 (2TB) with the PS5, which has slower read speeds (4950MB/s) than Sony recommends, and a colleague confirmed that a Sabrent Rocket (500GB, rated at 5000MB/s) seems to do just fine too. It is very easy to set everything up in less than two minutes. Here's how it all works:
- To use the PS5's expandable storage, you'll need to remove the side panels from the console. Make sure you have unplugged the power cord, then follow these really helpful YouTube video on how to properly remove the side panels. It's a little complicated, but the PS5 is sturdy, so don't worry, you won't break the panels.
- Once you have removed the two panels, you need to locate the M.2 SSD slot. It's on the left side of the fan; it's on the side where the PS5's disc drive resides. You'll need a screwdriver to unscrew the M.2 SSD slot cover and to remove a screw that secures your drive in place.
Photo by Tom Warren / I/O Means
- Once the cover is removed, you will find a Sony supplied black screw at the very top inside the slot. Unscrew it and use it to hold your SSD in place. Sony recommends using an M.2 SSD with a heatsink, so if you purchased a Gen4 without one, there are a variety of heatsinks you can purchase to affix to the SSDs that will help with cooling.
- Now that the M.2 SSD is in place, you can put the cover back over the slot, then gently slide the side panels into place on each side. Reconnect the power cord and start your PS5.
- If your M.2 SSD is not compatible, your PS5 will warn you that you need a Gen4 drive with at least 256GB of space. Otherwise, you'll need to go ahead and format the drive for use on the PS5. Make sure you have backed up all data on the disk if you have used it in other systems.
- Formatting took less than 10 seconds on my Corsair Force MP600 (2TB) drive. Once the formatting is complete, the PS5 will quickly test the speed of the drive and warn you that if you're having trouble with a game installed on the M.2 SSD, try moving it to internal storage.
- You can then freely move installed games to M.2 SSD storage or install new games from PlayStation Store directly to storage. During testing, it took around 30 seconds to move Ratchet &Clank:Rift Aside internal storage to the Corsair Force MP600 Pro drive (2 TB).
Sony's new PS5 M.2 SSD support is in beta, so we're still awaiting news from SSD manufacturers on all supported drives. Seagate is the first to confirm FireCuda 530 drives are compatible with the PS5, and we've tested both Corsair's Force MP600 and this Sabrent Rocket to confirm they work just fine on the PS5 (albeit without the heatsink thermal attached). We'll have more details on supported drives as manufacturers confirm their SSD listings.
Update, 4:01 PM ET: Added first-hand confirmation that the Sabrent Rocket Gen 4 also works.
