Does the Crucial P3 Plus work in a PS5?
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Works, but below spec. It is Gen4 NVMe, so the PS5 accepts it, but its 5,000 MB/s read speed is under Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation. Lowest price as of 21 October 2026: £178.00.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
Crucial P3 Plus against the PS5 requirements
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Works, below spec |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280 |
| Sequential read (up to) | 5,000 MB/s |
| Sequential write (up to) | 4,200 MB/s |
| Sony's recommended read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster |
| NAND type | QLC |
| DRAM cache | No (host memory buffer) |
| Endurance | About 220 TBW per TB (440 TBW at 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Heatsink version | No, sold bare |
| Officially PlayStation-licensed | No |
| Launched | 2022 |
Figures are the maker's published "up to" ratings, checked October 2026 against the maker's spec sheet.
Why the Crucial P3 Plus falls short
Sony recommends a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster (see Sony's M.2 SSD requirements). The Crucial P3 Plus is rated at 5,000 MB/s. Because it is a Gen4 NVMe drive the PS5 will format and use it, but it sits 500 MB/s under the recommendation.
In practice most games still run from it, and the PS5 shows a read speed figure after formatting so you can see what you got. The risk is with games that stream data aggressively, where a slower drive can mean longer loads. We show these drives in a separate "below spec" section, never in the main ranking.
A budget QLC drive. The 500GB model is slower still at 4,700 MB/s. Sold without a heatsink.
The nearest drive that meets the spec
If you have not bought yet, the Crucial P310 is the closest alternative that clears Sony's recommendation, at 7,100 MB/s. For the lowest price on any drive that passes, see the cheapest PS5 SSDs or the best value PS5 SSDs.
Already own the P3 Plus? It is fine to try it. If the PS5 formats it and your games load acceptably, there is no harm in using it.
Heatsink and fit for the P3 Plus
For reference, Sony's M.2 SSD requirements allow a module up to 11.25mm thick and 25mm wide. The Crucial P3 Plus ships without a heatsink, so the cooler is yours to add and must keep the stack inside those figures.
Start with the 11.25mm height guide, then pick from standalone PS5 heatsinks.
Related checks
The full rule set is in PS5 SSD requirements and which SSD is compatible with the PS5. If a drive is fitted but missing, see PS5 SSD not detected. Other models are on the PS5 SSD model index, and compatible Crucial drives are on this brand page.
Live listings of this model
| Product | Capacity | Price | Price per TB | Tech | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crucial P3 Plus SSD 500GB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 Internal SSD, Up to 4700MB/s, Laptop & Desktop (PC) Compatible, Solid State Drive - CT500P3PSSD8 | 500 GB | £178.00 | £356.00 | NVMe | - | Buy on Amazon |
Related comparisons and guides
Useful next steps: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, Cheapest PS5 SSD, Read speed too slow warning, All models, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Crucial P3 Plus work in a PS5?
Yes, but below Sony's recommended speed. Works, but below spec. It is Gen4 NVMe, so the PS5 accepts it, but its 5,000 MB/s read speed is under Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation.
Will the PS5 show a warning with the Crucial P3 Plus?
It may. After formatting, the PS5 displays the measured read speed, and drives under about 5,500 MB/s can trigger a notice that the speed is slower than recommended. You can still continue and use the drive.
What should I buy instead of the P3 Plus?
The Crucial P310, rated at 7,100 MB/s, is the nearest option that meets Sony's recommendation. Compare live prices on the cheapest PS5 SSD page.
Is the answer different on a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro?
No. All three consoles use the same slot and the same rules, so the verdict carries over, provided the heatsink fits.
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Last updated: 2026-10-20 18:05:21 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.