Does the Kingston NV3 work in a PS5?
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Works. The 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models read at 6,000 MB/s, above Sony's recommendation. The 500GB model reads at 5,000 MB/s and is below it. Cheapest listing today: £90.99.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
Kingston NV3 against the PS5 requirements
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Yes |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280 |
| Sequential read (up to) | 6,000 MB/s |
| Sequential write (up to) | 5,000 MB/s |
| Sony's recommended read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster |
| NAND type | QLC or TLC |
| DRAM cache | No (host memory buffer) |
| Endurance | About 320 TBW per TB (640 TBW at 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Heatsink version | No, sold bare |
| Officially PlayStation-licensed | No |
| Launched | 2024 |
Figures are the maker's published "up to" ratings, checked October 2026 against the maker's spec sheet.
Why the Kingston NV3 works
On paper there is nothing doubtful about it: Gen4 NVMe, 6,000 MB/s, against a recommendation of 5,500 MB/s in Sony's M.2 SSD requirements. The question gets asked because it is priced like a budget drive, or because an earlier model with a similar name fell short.
A budget DRAM-less drive with modest endurance (320 TBW at 1TB). Kingston does not fix the NAND type, so performance under long writes can vary between batches. Sold bare, in 2280 and short 2230 lengths.
Heatsink and fit for the NV3
The Kingston NV3 is sold bare, with no factory heatsink version. Sony requires a heat dissipation structure, so add a low-profile M.2 heatsink that keeps the total under 11.25mm. The bay takes drive and heatsink together up to 11.25mm thick and 25mm wide, per Sony's M.2 SSD requirements.
See standalone PS5 heatsinks for coolers that fit, or the 11.25mm height guide for the rule in full.
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 Kingston drives are on this brand page.
Live listings of this model
| Product | Capacity | Price | Price per TB | Tech | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston NV3 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 2TB M.2 2230-SNV3SM3/2T0 | 2 TB | £259.58 | £129.79 | NVMe2230 | - | Buy on Amazon |
| Kingston NV3 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 1TB M.2 2280-SNV3S/1000G | 1 TB | £129.98 | £129.98 | NVMe | - | Buy on Amazon |
| Kingston NV3 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 500GB M.2 2280-SNV3S/500G | 500 GB | £90.99 | £181.98 | NVMe | - | Buy on Amazon |
| Kingston NV3 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 500GB M.2 2230-SNV3SM3/500G | 500 GB | £154.94 | £309.88 | NVMe2230 | - | Buy on Amazon |
Related comparisons and guides
More to read: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, Cheapest PS5 SSD, Read speed too slow warning, All models, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kingston NV3 work in a PS5?
Yes. Works. The 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models read at 6,000 MB/s, above Sony's recommendation. The 500GB model reads at 5,000 MB/s and is below it.
Does the NV3 trigger the PS5's slow read speed notice?
It should pass the console's own read test, which runs at the end of formatting.
What is a better alternative to the Kingston NV3 for PS5?
You do not need one on speed grounds. If you want a drive with a factory heatsink sized for the bay, compare the PS5 SSDs with heatsink page.
What about the NV3 in a PS5 Pro or Slim?
Identical. Sony publishes one set of M.2 requirements for the PS5, the Slim and the Pro.
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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.