Does a PS5 SSD need DRAM?
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No. Sony's requirements cover the interface, capacity, size and a recommended read speed; DRAM is not among them. A DRAM-less drive that reaches 5,500 MB/s is supported exactly as a drive with DRAM is. DRAM mainly helps heavy mixed workloads on a PC.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
What Sony requires
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M) |
| Capacity | 250GB to 8TB |
| Form factor | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 |
| Total thickness | Up to 11.25mm (8.0mm above the board, 2.45mm below) |
| Width | Up to 25mm including the heatsink |
| Sequential read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster recommended |
| Cooling | A heat dissipation structure such as a heatsink is required |
From Sony's M.2 SSD requirements. DRAM does not appear.
So which should you buy?
For a console, buy on price per terabyte among drives that pass the requirements. See DRAM-less PS5 SSDs for the cheaper end and PS5 SSDs with DRAM if you want a premium model or may move the drive to a PC.
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
See also DRAM-less, With DRAM cache, PS5 SSD requirements, TBW and endurance.
Other places to go from here: Which SSD is compatible?, The 11.25mm height rule, With heatsink, 2TB, All guides.
Frequently asked questions
Do DRAM-less SSDs work in a PS5?
Yes, if they are PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe drives. Sony recommends 5,500 MB/s or faster, which many DRAM-less drives exceed.
Is a DRAM-less SSD slower for gaming?
On a console the difference is small. A PS5 mostly reads large files in sequence, which DRAM-less drives handle well.
What is HMB?
Host memory buffer: a DRAM-less drive borrows a little of the host's memory to hold its address map.
Do DRAM-less drives wear out faster?
Endurance depends on the flash and the maker's rating, not on DRAM alone. Check the TBW figure on the model's page.
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