How to Upgrade Your PS5 SSD Storage: Step-by-Step Bench Guide
Running out of room for games on your PS5? Here is our bench-tested guide on choosing the right PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD, installing the heatsink, avoiding the common stripped-screw trap, and formatting safely.
Running out of storage on a PlayStation 5 is almost inevitable. Between 150GB modern game installs, 4K texture packs, and regular updates, the factory internal drive fills up fast.
Adding an internal M.2 NVMe SSD is the cleanest way to double or quadruple your storage without sacrificing speed. PS5 titles run directly from the added drive with zero performance drop.
Sony SSD Requirements: What Actually Matters
Not every M.2 SSD works with the PS5. Sony has strict hardware requirements that prevent game stuttering and console overheating:
| Specification | Sony Minimum Requirement | Bench Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe | PCIe Gen4 x4 (Crucial T500, WD Black SN850X, Samsung 990 Pro) |
| Read Speed | 5,500 MB/s minimum | 6,500 to 7,300 MB/s |
| Form Factor | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 | Standard 2280 (most common) |
| Heatsink | Mandatory (pre-installed or aftermarket) | Max 11.25mm thickness (8.0mm above board, 2.45mm below) |
| Capacity | 250GB to 8TB | 1TB or 2TB offers best value |
Technician Note: Never install a "bare" NVMe SSD into a PS5 without a heatsink. The drive will throttle down its read speeds under load, resulting in game hitches, audio desync, and potential console crash shutdowns.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Step-by-Step PS5 SSD Installation Guide
Skim, save, or share — every tip is built from what our Norwood and Mount Barker technicians see every week.
Removing the Bottom Faceplate
- Place the console with the PlayStation logo facing down and the power button facing away from you.
- Place the console with the PlayStation logo facing down and the power button facing away from you.
- Grip the rear top-right corner of the white plate with your right hand, and the front bottom-left edge with your left hand.
- Gently lift up on the corner (about 5mm) and slide the plate firmly toward the base of the console.
- It will unclip smoothly without brute force.
Opening the M.2 Expansion Bay
- Locate the rectangular metal expansion cover situated beside the main cooling fan.
- Locate the rectangular metal expansion cover situated beside the main cooling fan.
- Use a standard #1 Phillips head screwdriver to remove the single retention screw holding the metal shield.
- Lift the silver cover off and set it aside with its screw.
Adjusting the Spacer Ring (The Stripped Screw Warning)
- Inside the expansion bay, you will see numbered screw holes: 110, 80, 60, 42, and 30.
- Inside the expansion bay, you will see numbered screw holes: 110, 80, 60, 42, and 30.
- Unscrew the black mounting screw located at position 110 and remove the small metal spacer ring underneath it.
- Warning: Sony uses relatively soft screws here. Use the exact screwdriver size (#1 Phillips) and apply firm downward pressure to avoid stripping the screw head.
- Place the spacer ring into position 80 (where most standard 2280 SSDs end).
Inserting the SSD at the Correct Angle
- Align the notch on your SSD's connector with the key in the expansion slot.
- Align the notch on your SSD's connector with the key in the expansion slot.
- Hold the SSD at approximately a 30-degree diagonal angle and press it firmly into the slot until it clicks into place.
- If correctly seated, the rear end of the SSD will rest naturally above the spacer ring without pulling to either side.
Securing the Drive & Reattaching the Cover
- Push the SSD down flat against the metal spacer at position 80.
- Push the SSD down flat against the metal spacer at position 80.
- Fasten the black screw through the SSD notch into the spacer. Tighten until snug, but do not overtighten.
- Replace the silver metal expansion cover and secure it with its screw.
- Align the white plastic faceplate about 2cm away from the top edge and slide it back toward the top until you hear a solid click.
Booting Up and Formatting
- Reconnect the power, HDMI, and accessories, and turn on the console.
- Reconnect the power, HDMI, and accessories, and turn on the console.
- Upon booting, the screen will immediately display: "To use your M.2 SSD, you need to format it."
- Select Format M.2 SSD using your DualSense controller.
- The PS5 will format the drive, measure the read speed (usually showing 6,000+ MB/s), and confirm completion.
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DIY vs Professional Installation
| Task | DIY at Home | Professional In-Store Fitment | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| **SSD Selection** | Risk of buying incompatible or oversized heatsink | Guaranteed compatible Gen4 SSD with compliant heatsink | No thermal throttling |
| **Screw Care** | Common risk of stripping the soft factory screw | Precision bench tools and replacement Sony screws on hand | Zero damage to expansion bay |
| **Dust & Airflow** | Expansion bay opened without cleaning | Full intake and fan lint extraction while open | Cooler, quieter gaming |
| **Warranty** | Manufacturer parts warranty only | Parts warranty plus local shop workmanship guarantee | Peace of mind |
Task
**SSD Selection**
DIY at Home
Risk of buying incompatible or oversized heatsink
Professional In-Store Fitment
Guaranteed compatible Gen4 SSD with compliant heatsink
Task
**Screw Care**
DIY at Home
Common risk of stripping the soft factory screw
Professional In-Store Fitment
Precision bench tools and replacement Sony screws on hand
Task
**Dust & Airflow**
DIY at Home
Expansion bay opened without cleaning
Professional In-Store Fitment
Full intake and fan lint extraction while open
Task
**Warranty**
DIY at Home
Manufacturer parts warranty only
Professional In-Store Fitment
Parts warranty plus local shop workmanship guarantee
Moving Your Games to the New SSD
Once formatted, set the new drive as your primary installation location:
- Go to Settings (gear icon) → Storage.
- Select Installation Location.
- Choose your M.2 SSD Storage for PS5 Games and PS4 Games.
- To transfer existing games: Go to Console Storage → Games and Apps → select items → choose Move to M.2 SSD Storage. A 100GB title typically moves in under 90 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers our team gives most often.
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