How to Upgrade PS5 SSD [Step-by-step Guide]
The PlayStation 5 comes with 1TB of storage, but only about 667GB is available for games due to OS and firmware taking up space, leading to a rapid depletion of space as modern games continue to grow in size, forcing gamers to frequently delete and redownload games.
Upgrading the internal storage space on a PS5 is relatively easy compared to PS3 and PS4, thanks to its built-in and empty SSD slot. If you want to keep your games without deleting them, installing a high-speed NVMe SSD to the console is a good option, and this post will guide you through the process.
How to Upgrade PS5 SSD - Full Tutorial
This section provides step-by-step guides on upgrading the PS5 SSD, including adding a new NVME SSD or replacing the existing one with a better one. Before starting, you can check the basic information about the tutorial in the table below.
| ⏱️Duration | 10-12 Minutes |
| 💻Goal | Upgrade PS5 SSD |
| 🧰Preparation |
✔️An M.2 NVMe SSD ✔️Download Qiling Disk Master ✔️A #1 Phillips head screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver ✔️Update your PS5 to the latest version |
| 🛠️Steps |
Guide 1. Install a New NVME SSD to Upgrade the PS5 SSD
Gamers worldwide were thrilled when Sony announced that the PS5 has a built-in NVME SSD slot, allowing for easy storage upgrades. By simply plugging in a new SSD with a screwdriver, users can quickly gain more space to store their games, and the new SSD can work alongside the PS5's hard drive.
Step 1. Choose a suitable SSD for upgrading the PS5.
Installing a new SSD can be the most challenging part of upgrading your PS5, but choosing the right one can make a big difference. When selecting the best PS5 SSD, consider the following factors. (Note: the original text does not provide specific information on the factors to consider, so I've kept the paragraph general)
- Choose a M.2 NVMe SSD that uses PCIe Gen4 protocol.
- You can choose an SSD with a storage capacity of between 250 GB and 4 TB.
- Pick a pre-affixed or self-affixed heatsink that is necessary.
Step 2. Remove the Back Faceplate and SSD slot cover of the PS5.
To prepare your PS5 console for a safe and successful repair, first, shut down the console completely. Then, remove all cables and ensure the console is facing downwards to prevent any liquids from entering the console during the repair process.
- You can grip the faceplate at the top corner and lift it with little force.
- To access the SSD, first remove the screws holding the SSD's slot cover in place using a cross-head screwdriver, taking care to note the different screw lengths for various SSD card lengths.
- To address the issue, you need to locate and remove the screw and spacer situated near the end of the SSD housing. This typically involves accessing the area where the screw and spacer are positioned, and then carefully removing them to access the surrounding components or to perform maintenance on the SSD housing itself.
Step 3. Insert the new SSD into the expansion slot.
- Insert the SSD into the slot at a 45-degree angle, then secure it with the mounting screw once it clicks into place.
- Using the appropriate screw, reinstall the expansion slot cover and replace the PS5's faceplate. Next, connect the HDMI cable and power to the console. This will complete the reassembly process.
Step 4. Format the new SSD to be compatible with the PS5.
The PS5 will display a format screen asking to format the NVME SSD, which will erase all data, so back up the whole SSD if you have valuable data. Formatting will take only a few seconds.
The PS5 can support exFAT or FAT32 file systems, and to format an SSD seamlessly, a third-party tool like Qiling Disk Master can be used. This software offers a clear interface for formatting the drive to various file systems, including exFAT, FAT32, NTFS, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4, making it a perfect solution for installing the SSD into the PS5. By downloading and installing Qiling Disk Master, users can follow the instructions to correctly and quickly format their new SSD.
Read Also: How to Format New SSD
Guide 2. Upgrade PS5 SSD with a Better One
To keep your PS5 up-to-date, it's essential to upgrade its SSD regularly. Before replacing the old SSD with a new one, clone all your games and data from the old SSD to the new one using professional disk clone software to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any additional hassles. This will prevent you from having to reinstall all your games and data, saving you time and effort.
Qiling Disk Master integrates multiple functions such as resizing/extending partitions, cloning external hard drives, formatting drives, and cleaning disks. It allows you to fully copy everything from your old PS5 SSD to a new one at once using its "Disk Clone" feature.
To upgrade the SSD for your PS5, install Qiling Disk Master on your computer and connect the old and new SSDs to your computer. This will allow you to clone the data from the old SSD to the new one, ensuring a seamless transition and preserving all your games and data.
Step 1. Select the source disk.
- To clone a system or disk, click the "Tools" tab page and select either "System Clone" or "Disk Clone".
- Choose the source disk and click "Next".
Step 2. Select the target disk.
- Select the desired external hard drive or solid state drive as the destination and click "Next" to proceed.
- Read Warning message and confirm "Yes" button.
Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size.
You can choose to automatically adjust the disk layout, clone the current disk as the source, or edit the disk layout to customize it, with the option to leave more space for the C drive by selecting the last option.
Step 4. Click "Proceed" to start the disk cloning process.
After cloning, you can install the new M.2 SSD on your PS5, turn it on, and format the SSD.
If these methods of upgrading the PS5 SSD refresh you, share this page on your social media to help more PS5 gamers.
Why Should We Upgrade PS5 SSD?
Upgrading the PS5 SSD can be pricey, but it's worth considering due to several key benefits. The main reasons to upgrade include improved game loading times, enhanced overall system performance, and increased storage capacity, allowing for more games and content to be stored on the console. Additionally, upgrading to a faster SSD can also improve the console's ability to handle demanding games and applications, making it a worthwhile investment for gamers who want the best possible experience.
Expand Your Game Library
Expand your PS5's storage and game library with a wide range of SSD options, from 250 GB to 4 TB, to install more games without running out of space.
Improve Your PS5's Performance
Installing an internal SSD on your PS5 significantly improves its performance by giving it more room for games, and can even enhance the console's overall speed and loading times. The PS5's read/write speed is 5500 MB/s, but some M.2 SSDs can operate at speeds of up to 7000 MB/s or more, further boosting performance.
Effortlessly Transfer Your PS4 Games to PS5
The PlayStation 5 is backwards compatible with almost all PlayStation 4 games, allowing you to transfer digital games from your PS4 console to the PS5. This means you can continue playing your old favorites while still having room to install new PS5 games, making it easy to transition to the new console.
Conclusion
This article provides two practical methods for upgrading the PS5 SSD, including installing a new SSD and cloning old PS5 disk data to a new high-performance SSD, as well as using software like Qiling Disk Master to format the SSD to the right file system or clone games without effort. By downloading and using this tool, users can expand the internal storage of their PS5 and maintain its high performance by frequently monitoring the speed of the SSD.
FAQ about How to Upgrade PS5 SSD
If you're experiencing issues related to upgrading your PS5 SSD, you're not alone. The top three highly relevant queries regarding this topic are: [insert queries here]. Fortunately, you can find solutions to these problems on this platform, addressing concerns such as [insert concerns here].
1. Is PS5 SSD upgrade worth trying?
The PS5 SSD upgrade is worth trying as it allows for increased storage capacity, enabling more games to be stored in the digital library, and also potentially boosts the console's performance.
2. What is the maximum SSD capacity for PS5?
The PS5 supports an M.2 SSD that communicates over the NVMe protocol and has one M.2 expansion slot, allowing you to add an SSD of various capacities, including 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. To function properly, you should use a PCIe 4.0 x4 model that can deliver up to 5,500 MBps of sequential read speed.
3. How to install and set up an external SSD on PS5?
To connect an external SSD to a PS5, simply plug it into the console via a USB interface, then format the external hard drive for PS5.
Step 1. To check if the external SSD is recognized by the PS5, go to the "Settings" menu, then select "Storage" and finally "Extended Storage." This will show you the external SSD in the list.
Step 2. To format a drive as extended storage, select the drive you want to format from the list of available drives, then click on the "Format as Extended Storage" option. This will initiate the formatting process, which will erase all data on the drive.
Before you proceed, please make a backup of all the data on the USB drive to prevent any loss of important files. This is a crucial step as the process you're about to undertake will erase all data on the drive. Once you've backed up your data, you can proceed with the original task.
Step 3. Click "Yes" to confirm the format.
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