A long-standing problem with consoles, not just the PlayStation, has been limited storage. Games have become larger and larger over the years, and it’s very easy to fill up the 1TB that thePS5and other such consoles come with. You can get an external storage drive and move some games over to it, but fortunately, with the PS5,Sonyallows you to add an internal M.2 high-speed storage drive and play your current gen and previous gen games from there.
The PS5 comes with a 1TB internal storage drive which realistically gives you only 825GB of actual storage. However, only about667GBof that is available to install and play games. That being said, you can get aPCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSDthat meets Sony’s recommended requirements and getup to 8TBof additional storage to install and play games off of. And, the best part, the installation process is fairly straightforward and quick.
How to Add More Storage to Your PS5
Step 1: Finding The Right Storage!
Sony hasclear specifications for compatible SSDsand, while the PS5 supports various different sizes, theM.2 2280form factor is the most widely available, so it’s best to stick with that. It can be anywhere between 250GB and 8TB, but it is recommended to get at least 1TB of storage, so you can, at the least, double the storage of your PS5. Sony also recommends5,500MB/sor faster read speeds and this is a spec you need to pay attention to. While it has been proven that even slower SSDs can perform about as well as the internal PS5 storage drive, having faster storage will improve loading times and prevent any performance issues in games.
Furthermore, it isnot necessary for the SSD to have a heatsink, but it is highly recommended to maintain optimal performance. If the SSD you got already has a heatsink installed, ensure to check for clearance as Sony mentionsup to 11.25 mmof available space. If it does not, a third-party heatsink should do the job for fairly cheap.
Here’s ahandy guide for the best SSDs for the PS5. Make sure to check out these options before you make the purchase.
Step 2: Preparing Your SSD
Feel free to move to the next step if your SSD already has a heatsink installed. If not, grab a third party heatsink from a retailer that matches the size of your SSD. While both the SSD and the heatsink should come with instructions on how to install, it is a straightforward process of exposing the adhesive on the underside of the heatsink and carefully sticking it on top of the SSD. Once you’re confident the heatsink is in place, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Getting Your PS5 Ready
Now that you have the right SSD for your PS5, the next step is to prepare your console for the installation. Make sure you have sufficient space wherever you plan on working on the console and grab aPhilips head screwdriver. Of course, keep the new SSD handy as well.
You can just unplug the PS5 to turn it off but the next time you turn it on, it will give you a notification that it wasn’t turned off properly. So, to turn it off properly,press the PS buttonon the controller and navigate to thePower iconto selectPower Off. In a few seconds, the console will completely shut down and there will be no lights anywhere. At this point, unplug the power cable and lay the PS5 flat.
The following steps will differ slightly based on which version of the PS5 you have. TheCFI-1000model group consoles are the original design while theCFI-2000/7000model group is for the newer Slim version.
Step 4: Getting Inside Your PS5
If you have the originalCFI-1000model series, make sure that the PlayStation logo is facing down, and the power button is facing towards you. This part is a bit challenging since you have to be careful not to snap any of the connections. Grab the top left corner of the console once it is in the right orientation and carefully pull it up and to the right. The cover should pop off at this point, exposing the SSD slot.
If you have aCFI-2000/7000model group console, lay it flat with the front side facing away from you. There are four panels on the Slim version that can be removed, but the SSD slot is located below on the smaller panel (the one on the right when the console is lying flat and facing away). Grab the top left of this smaller panel and carefully lift it up, detaching the clips. You should hear a ‘click’ sound and the panel should come off easily. This will expose the SSD slot.
From here on, the process is the same for installing your new SSD on either version of the console.
Step 5: Preparing For SSD Installation
With the expansion slot visible, remove the cover by unscrewing the single Philips head screw. You will see multiple holes here, with one of the holes populated with another screw and a spacer. Take the screw and the spacer out and keep them next to you as they will hold your new SSD in place. The slot is now free to install the SSD.
Step 6: Installation!
Align your SSD with the notch on the expansion connector, and with little force, insert it all the way in. The SSD will rest on top of the spacer so once it is in place, tilt it down on top of the spacer and lock it in with the screw you just took out. Make surenot to tightenthe screw too hardas you may end up damaging the PCB of your SSD. Now that the new SSD is in place, put the cover back on and lock it in with the other screw. You are now ready to put the panels back on and turn on the console.
To put the panels back on to the CFI-1000 model series, align the panel with where it should be but place it about 2 cm to the right. Slide it back into place (to the left) and you should hear a click sound, indicating that the panel is locked back in. For the CFI-2000/7000 series models, align the clips on the cover with the corresponding holes on the console and push in, essentially the reverse of what you did to take it off. Once again, you should hear a click.
Your PS5 should have an additional SSD that is ready to be set up.
Step 7: First Boot!
Connect the power cable (connect the base/feet if needed) and turn on your PS5. If you did everything correctly, the SSD should be automatically recognized, and you should see aformatting guide pop up. Follow the instructions and complete the formatting process. Once complete, you should see your SSDs read speeds recognized by the console. Now, you are ready to start installing games onto your new SSD or move games from the primary SSD to the new one.
If you want new games to be installed on the expansion SSD, head toSettings>Storage>Installation Location, and select your newly installed SSD.
And you’re all set. Enjoy the upgraded storage on your PS5!
PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition
The Sony PlayStation 5’s slim console upgrade offers the same functionality as the launch unit but throws in increased storage (1TB), an additional front USB-C port, and a much more compact frame, making for an ideal console purchase for users still on the fence.Priced $50 more than its digital edition, the disc edition already trades at a $50 discount over MSRP and comes with a Dualsense controller, an HDMI 2.1 cable, an AC power cable, and documentation as part of the package, making for a complete package for gamers looking to hook one up to a monitor or TV out of the box.
