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Crucial P5 Plus with M.2 2280 Heatsink and PS5
For gamers

How to install an SSD in your PlayStation 5

Updated December 02, 2024 in For Gamers

How to get more storage for your PS5

Adding an SSD to your PS5 is a great way to get more storage for your games and apps. It increases your capacity and improves performance with faster load times. This upgrade ensures you have plenty of space for all your favorite titles. By installing a T500 with heatsink in the empty M.2 upgrade slot, PlayStation™ 5 players can expand storage for their game library and run the hottest titles quickly and directly from the drive.1  
 

Best PlayStation 5 SSD

The Crucial T500 is an excellent choice for upgrading your PlayStation 5. It offers impressive read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s, which are well above the PS5’s requirements. This means you’ll experience faster load times and smoother gameplay. Plus, it comes with a pre-installed heatsink, making installation easy and ensuring the SSD stays cool during intense gaming sessions. Its reliability and high performance make it a top pick for enhancing your PS5 experience.

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Crucial T500 Gen4 NVMe SSD with heatsink

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PlayStation SSD Install Video

This installation video features the Crucial T500 SSD, but the process is the same for all other Crucial internal SSDs compatible with the PlayStation 5. Whether you’re installing the T500 or another model, you’ll follow the same steps to ensure a smooth and successful upgrade. 

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1TB P5 Plus SSD with heatsink  

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2TB P5 Plus SSD with heatsink 

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Step-by-step instructions for upgrading your Sony Playstation 5.

This guide features the Crucial T500 SSD, but the process is the same for all other Crucial internal SSDs compatible with the PlayStation 5. Whether you’re installing the T500 or another model, you’ll follow the same steps to ensure a smooth and successful upgrade. 

Sony® requires effective heat dissipation with any SSD installed on a PlayStation™ 5. The Crucial  T500 with heatsink meets Sony’s recommendations, giving you ample space for more games and DLC on your PS5™.3,4

More information on Sony's requirements

1. You must perform a system update before you can insert the drive

  • If you don’t update first, the system will not boot.
remove side panel of ps5

2. Remove the side panel

  • Tricky. Not an easy procedure. You will likely need to apply some force, but this will be different for everyone*.
  • Lay the console drive side down and secure the edge of the PS5, while pulling the top part of the white panel toward you.
  • Slide the panel straight out along the chassis (parallel to the bottom) instead of pulling it away from the unit, which could cause the panel to break.
  • No tools should be required.

*Micron is not responsible for the user damaging the PS5 or other material 
* Use caution when applying force to a device

remove screw and metal door in the PS5

3. There’s a little metal door with the PlayStation screw. Pop it out, open it up.

remove side panel of ps5

4. There’s another screw on a standoff (like a metal spacer) with the default set at 110 mm.

For P5 Plus, move it in to the 80MM mark, which is the next one closer. 

Insert the P5 Plus + M.2 2280 Heatsink in at ~30degrees

5. Insert the drive at approximately a 30-degree angle.

  • When fully inserted, push it down.
  • The screw cut out on T500 should line up with that spacer.
  • Screw it down.
Screw the door back in on the PS5

6 Replace the door. Screw it back in place.

Put the side panel back on the PS5

7. Replace the panel.

Boot up the PS5

8. Plug in. Boot. You will be prompted to format the new drive – do this.

9. To use T500 as your primary storage, go to Settings, Storage Settings, and manually select the T500 to be your new default download location.

Go to "Settings"  

Select "Storage" 

Manually select the P5 Plus to be your new default download location. 

FAQs and Troubleshooting

  • Do you need to format a new SSD for the PS5?

    Yes, you need to format a new SSD for your PS5 before you can use it. When you install a new M.2 SSD, the PS5 will prompt you to format it when you turn on the console. This step ensures the SSD is compatible and ready for storing games and data.

  • Why is my SSD not showing up on PS5?

    Here are some reasons why your SSD might not be showing up on your PS5:

    1. Compatibility: Make sure your SSD meets the PS5’s specifications. It needs to be a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with a read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s.

    2. Installation: Double-check that the SSD is correctly installed in the M.2 slot. It should be inserted at an angle and then secured with a screw.

    3. Firmware Updates: Your PS5 or the SSD might need a firmware update. Check for any available updates for both.

    4. Formatting: The SSD might need to be formatted. You can try formatting it on a computer before installing it in the PS5.

    5. Hardware Issues: There could be a problem with the SSD itself or the PS5’s M.2 slot. Testing the SSD in another device can help determine if it’s faulty.

    6. Connection: Ensure that the SSD is properly connected and there are no loose connections.

  • Does the PS5 have two SSD slots?

    The PS5 has one built-in SSD for its main storage, and it also has an extra slot for adding an M.2 SSD. This allows you to expand your storage by installing a compatible M.2 SSD in that additional slot.

    The built-in SSD in the PS5 is soldered to the motherboard, so you can’t remove or replace it. If it fails, the whole motherboard would need to be replaced. Be careful that you are not trying to remove the built-in SSD when trying to install your additional one.

  • Do I need to update my PS5 before installing SSD?

    Yes, it’s a good idea to update your PS5 before installing a new SSD. This ensures your console has the latest system software, which is necessary for it to recognize and use the new SSD. You can check for updates in the system settings under “System Software Update and Settings.”

  • Does installing an SSD make a PS5 faster?

    Yes, installing an SSD in your PS5 can indeed make a difference in performance. One of the main benefits is faster load times for games and apps stored on the SSD. This means you can get into your games quicker compared to using the built-in storage.

    Additionally, adding an SSD provides more storage space, which helps keep your system running smoothly by preventing it from getting too full. Some users have also noticed a slight improvement in overall system performance when using a high-speed SSD.

    While the built-in SSD is already very fast, expanding your storage with an additional SSD can enhance your gaming experience, especially if you have a large library of games and apps.

  • Can any SSD work with PS5?

    Not every SSD will work with the PS5. You need a specific type: a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with a minimum read speed of 5,500 MB/s. It also has to fit within certain size dimensions, including space for a heatsink.

    Before buying an SSD, make sure it meets these requirements to ensure compatibility with your PS5. 

    Compatible Crucial SSDs with the PlayStation 5. 

 

  1. Sony recommends that NVMe M.2 drives installed in the PlayStation 5 should be used with a heat-dissipation mechanism, such as a heat sink or heat transfer sheet. Inappropriate use of a heat sink, or lack of heat-dissipation mechanism, may cause problems with the Crucial SSD and/or PlayStation 5. Micron is not responsible for the user damaging the PS5 or other material.
  2. The Crucial T500 with heatsink meets the performance and form factor requirements for Sony PS5™. 
  3. Micron is not responsible for the user damaging the PS5 or other material 
  4. Use caution when applying force to a device 
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