PS5 SSD thermal throttling explained
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.
Thermal throttling is an SSD deliberately reducing its speed when its controller gets too hot. In a PS5 it tends to appear during long, heavy transfers such as moving several games at once. A heatsink spreads the heat so the drive stays under its limit, which is why Sony requires one.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
When it matters and when it does not
Normal play reads data in bursts and rarely heats a drive enough to throttle. Sustained writing is the hard case: installing or moving a very large game. A drive with a good heatsink will usually finish that without slowing.
What affects heat
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Heatsink fitted and in contact | Largest effect |
| Gen5 controller | Runs warmer than Gen4 |
| Double-sided drive | More chips to cool; see single vs double sided |
| Heatsink material | Small: see copper vs aluminium |
Compatible drives, live prices
Related comparisons and guides
Closely related pages: SSD overheating, Does the PS5 need a heatsink?, PS5 SSD heatsinks, Best PS5 heatsink.
Useful next steps: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, The 11.25mm height rule, With heatsink, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
Is thermal throttling harmful?
No. It is a protective measure.
How do I know my PS5 SSD is throttling?
The console does not show drive temperature. A copy that starts fast and then slows sharply is the usual sign.
Does a bigger heatsink stop throttling?
Contact matters more than size, and the heatsink must fit within 11.25mm.
Do all SSDs throttle?
All have a thermal limit. Whether they reach it depends on cooling and workload.
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.