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Best M.2 SSD for PS5 in 2023: Top Storage for Your Console – CNET [CNET]
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When not juggling the dual demands of parenthood and playing basketball, Joseph is a life-long Manhattanite who can be found testing the latest tech in the CNET Labs and developing new benchmarks and testing methodologies.
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The hunt for a PlayStation 5 gaming console is way easier than it was when the system first launched. You can find Sony’s epic video game console in stock at places like Amazon, Best Buy and Sony. Now, with so many awesome games to choose from, the console’s 1-terabyte solid-state drive can quickly fill up with all that video game goodness. For this reason, you’ll probably be looking for some extra storage for your PS5. An aftermarket SSD may be the solution you’re looking for. Keeping your storage and budget needs in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best M.2 SSDs for the PlayStation 5 below.
Sony unlocked the PS5’s extra internal storage drive in 2021, a year after the console launched. This means you can dig into that extra space to level up up your console’s storage capacity. All you need to do is grab the best M.2 SSD to bulk up your storage and speed to get the most out of your gaming experience. Whether you’re intending to keep a collection of useful saves or install new games, there are plenty of M.2 SSD Playstation 5 storage options to give you that extra storage boost.
It can be a challenge to find a superfast M.2 drive, specifically one with an integrated heatsink. That’s an essential component for your operating environment, if you want to stave off overheating. So if your solid-state drive doesn’t have one, you’ll have to add it manually. We’ve made some suggestions below to help with that process.
If you’re ready to expand your game library, keep reading. We’ve tested several drives, including the 4TB Seagate FireCuda 530, which we installed in this how-to feature, and you can find those transfer time results below.
Watch this: Install an M.2 SSD in your PS5 with a heatsink upgrade
Best M.2 SSDs of 2023
Photo Gallery 1/1
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Just slot the slim M.2 drive in the slot, then screw the new cover panel over it and you’re all set. We’ve tested the drive and added its transfer time scores to the chart below.
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Normally I’d stick with M.2 drives with built-in heat sinks, so make the entire upgrade process easier. But I’ll make an exception for this PNY XLR8 drive, because PNY also makes a separate PS5 SSD cover panel, complete with built-in heat sink, for $20.
Just slot the slim M.2 drive in the slot, then screw the new cover panel over it and you’re all set. We’ve tested the drive and added its transfer time scores to the chart below.
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Final Fantasy VII (81GB)
Seagate FireCuda 530 (4TB) 1:05 6:00Samsung 980 Pro (1TB) 1:08 5:56Corsair MP600 Pro LPX (2TB) 1:04 5:54PNY XLR8 CS3140 (1TB) 1:16 6:11Samsung 990 Pro with heatsink 1:02 5:54
- Console main storage to M.2 (in minute:seconds)
- M.2 to Console main storage (in minute:seconds)
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (39GB)
Seagate FireCuda 530 (4TB) 0:33 2:57Samsung 980 Pro (1TB) 0:31 2:53Corsair MP600 Pro LPX (2TB) 0:33 2:54PNY XLR8 CS3140 (1TB) 0:40 2:53Samsung 990 Pro with heatsink 0.29 2.54
- Console main storage to M.2 (in minute:seconds)
- M.2 to Console main storage (in minute:seconds)
We update this list regularly, and below are answers to some of the most common PS5 M.2 SSD questions.
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