Can the PS5 use a Gen3 SSD?
PS5, PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro storage, ranked by value on Amazon.co.uk
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability come from Amazon.co.uk as of the last update and may change.
No. The PS5 requires a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD, and a Gen3 drive is not accepted. This catches out owners of older drives such as the Samsung 980, Crucial P3 and TeamGroup MP33. Best value today: BIWIN M350 2TB SSD at £199.99 (£100.00/TB), as of 21 October 2026. The lowest price outright is £75.99, for the Ediloca 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe Gen 4x4.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
Common Gen3 drives that do not work
| Drive | Interface | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 980 | PCIe Gen3 | Not accepted |
| Crucial P3 | PCIe Gen3 | Not accepted |
| TeamGroup MP33 | PCIe Gen3 | Not accepted |
Their Gen4 siblings (980 Pro, P3 Plus, MP44) are different drives.
What to do with a Gen3 drive
Use it in a PC or a USB enclosure. For the console, the cheapest drives that meet the requirements are on the cheapest PS5 SSD page.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
Related on this site: Does it need to be Gen4?, Can it use M.2 SATA?, SSD not detected (fix), Cheapest PS5 SSD.
More to read: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, The 11.25mm height rule, With heatsink, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I put a Gen3 SSD in a PS5?
The console reports that the M.2 SSD cannot be used. Nothing is damaged; remove it and fit a Gen4 drive.
Is there an adapter that makes Gen3 work?
No. The requirement is the drive's own interface.
Is the Samsung 980 Pro Gen3?
No. The 980 Pro is Gen4 and works. The plain 980 is Gen3 and does not.
What is the cheapest SSD that does work?
Best value today: BIWIN M350 2TB SSD at £199.99 (£100.00/TB), as of 21 October 2026. The lowest price outright is £75.99, for the Ediloca 500GB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe Gen 4x4.
Independent comparison site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation and PS5 are trademarks of Sony.
Last updated: 2026-10-21 06:04:07 UTC. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated on Amazon.co.uk and are subject to change. Any price displayed at the time of purchase will apply. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.