Does an M.2 SSD improve PS5 load times?
PS5 storage answers, checked against Sony's published requirements
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Not compared with the console's own drive. A PS5 game loads about the same from an M.2 SSD that meets Sony's recommendation as from built-in storage. The gains are elsewhere: far more room for games, and much faster loading of PS4 games than from a USB hard drive.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
Where an M.2 SSD helps
| Comparison | Result |
|---|---|
| M.2 SSD vs built-in drive (PS5 games) | About the same |
| M.2 SSD vs USB hard drive (PS4 games) | Much faster on the SSD |
| M.2 SSD vs USB drive (PS5 games) | No contest: PS5 games cannot run from USB |
| Gen5 SSD vs Gen4 SSD in a PS5 | About the same; the slot is Gen4 |
So is it worth buying?
For capacity, yes. The point of the upgrade is keeping more games installed. Choose on price per terabyte among drives that meet the requirements: the cheapest PS5 SSDs.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
Related on this site: M.2 SSD vs the Pro's internal drive, Is Gen5 worth it?, What is a good speed test result?, Cheapest PS5 SSD.
More to read: All guides, PS5 SSD requirements, 2TB, How to install, With heatsink.
Frequently asked questions
Is a faster SSD better for PS5 loading?
Only up to the point Sony recommends. Beyond about 5,500 MB/s the differences are small.
Do PS4 games load faster from an M.2 SSD?
Yes, compared with a hard drive.
Does an SSD improve frame rate?
No. Storage affects loading and streaming of data, not rendering.
Will a Gen5 SSD load games faster?
Not in a PS5, where it runs at Gen4 speed.
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