Introduction
When it comes to elevating your gaming experience, nothing beats the PlayStation 5 (PS5) with an upgraded hard drive. The PS5 requires a cutting-edge Gen 4.0 NVMe SSD with a heatsink to support its high-speed performance. This article will take a detailed look at some of the top hard drives for PS5, outlining their key features, pros and cons, and overall value to help you make the best choice. Let’s dive into our top picks for 2023.
Best Hard Drives for PS5
| Hard Drive | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair MP600 Pro LPX | The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX stands out as one of the best hard drives for the PS5. It scored impressive read and write speeds during testing, and offers excellent value for its performance. | Exceptional performance with high read/write speeds, highly affordable given its performance | The lack of specific cons makes this SSD a highly attractive option for PS5 owners |
| Samsung 980 Pro SSD | Even with the introduction of the Samsung 990 Pro, the Samsung 980 Pro remains a solid SSD choice for PS5, offering a carefully designed heatsink and robust write endurance. | Strong performance and high endurance, excellent heatsink design, series of price reductions | Has been succeeded by the Samsung 990 Pro |
| Samsung 990 Pro | The successor to the 980 Pro, the Samsung 990 Pro builds upon its predecessor’s strengths with improved performance. It is set to receive a dedicated heatsink model. | Superior performance, upcoming heatsink model | Currently lacks a dedicated heatsink model |
| WD_Black SN850 | Boasting excellent performance and a competitive price point, the WD_Black SN850 is a top contender for PS5. An optional heatsink model is available. | Top-tier read speed, optional heatsink model available | The non-heatsink version can suffer from thermal throttling |
| Seagate Firecuda 530 | The Seagate Firecuda 530 excels among NVMe SSDs, with impressive read speeds and the availability of an optional heatsink, making it suitable for the PS5. | High-speed read and write capabilities, optional heatsink available | Slightly pricier than some competitors |
| Crucial P5 Plus | The Crucial P5 Plus offers great value with high performance at a reasonable price point. However, it doesn’t come with a built-in heatsink. | High-speed read performance, affordable pricing | Doesn’t come with a built-in heatsink |
| Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus | The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus delivers impressive performance with read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s. It has a high build quality, but doesn’t come with a built-in heatsink. | Solid performance with high read speeds, high build quality | No built-in heatsink |
| ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 Blade | The ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 Blade is a high-performing SSD with read speeds up to 7,400 MB/s. It comes with a built-in heatsink for superior heat dissipation. | Outstanding read speeds, built-in heatsink | May be overkill for some users given the PS5’s requirements |
| Kingston KC3000 | The Kingston KC3000 offers a balance of speed, reliability, and cost. It delivers high read speeds and comes with a built-in heatsink. | High-speed performance, built-in heatsink | Relatively new to the market with less proven reliability |
| Patriot Viper VP4300 | The Patriot Viper VP4300 delivers a competitive edge with read speeds up to 7,400 MB/s. It comes with two optional heatsinks, giving more flexibility for PS5 users. | Very high read speeds, comes with two optional heatsinks | Slightly more expensive than some other options |
To determine the best hard drive for PS5, a variety of factors must be taken into account. From the sequential read and write performance, the inclusion of a heatsink, the price, the available storage capacities, to the endurance of the SSD, each element contributes significantly to the overall experience.
However, it’s crucial to remember that these characteristics will impact users differently, depending on their unique needs. For example, gamers who frequently download new titles might value capacity and price over maximum speed, while those who strive for the best possible performance may be willing to invest more for a drive with higher read/write speeds.
Verdict
Corsair MP600 Pro LPX, our top pick, offers a perfect blend of performance and value. It delivers high read speeds of 7,364 MB/s and comes at a considerably reduced price compared to its competition, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users.
Samsung 980 Pro holds its ground with its high sequential read speeds and strong endurance. Its heatsink design ensures that the drive remains cool even under heavy workloads, securing its position as a reliable choice for future-proofing your gaming system.
WD_Black SN850 stands out with its optional heatsink model, ensuring the drive stays cool while delivering top-tier speeds, making it another excellent choice.
Each of the other SSDs we reviewed have their unique strengths, be it the Seagate Firecuda 530‘s impressive speed, the Crucial P5 Plus‘s affordability, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus‘s build quality, the ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 Blade‘s exceptional read speeds, the Kingston KC3000‘s reliability, or the Patriot Viper VP4300‘s flexibility with its two optional heatsinks.
Ultimately, the best hard drive for PS5 will depend on your personal needs and preferences. With the continuous evolution of technology and the ever-decreasing prices of SSDs, it’s never been a better time to upgrade your PS5’s storage.
Remember that while the performance and price are important, it’s equally crucial to consider the SSD’s endurance and whether it comes with a built-in heatsink, as the PS5’s M.2 slot lacks thermal management. A proper heatsink will ensure that your new SSD doesn’t overheat and suffer potential damage or performance throttling, providing a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
By carefully considering these aspects, you’re sure to find the best hard drive for your PS5, bringing your gaming experience to new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What is the best hard drive for PS5 in 2023? The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX is considered one of the best hard drives for PS5, due to its high read speeds, excellent value, and robust performance.
- Do I need a heatsink for my PS5 SSD? Yes, a heatsink is necessary for an SSD on a PS5. The system’s M.2 port doesn’t offer any thermal management, meaning the SSD can easily overheat without a heatsink.
- What is the minimum recommend read speed for a PS5 SSD? The minimum recommend read speed for a PS5 SSD is 5,500 MB/s.
- What is the minimum size recommended for a PS5 SSD? The minimum size recommended for a PS5 SSD is at least 1TB. This is due to the large size of many modern games, and it allows users to have several games installed and ready to play at any time.
- Are Gen 3.0 NVMe models suitable for PS5? No, Gen 3.0 NVMe models are not suitable for PS5. They are unable to reach the minimum recommended read speed of 5,500 MB/s. Only Gen 4.0 NVMe models with heatsinks are compatible with the PS5.
- Does the Samsung 980 Pro SSD work well with the PS5? Yes, despite its age, the Samsung 980 Pro is still an excellent SSD for the PS5. It features a well-designed heatsink and strong write endurance, which makes it a reliable choice.
- Are the prices of SSDs for PS5 dropping? Yes, as of 2023, the prices of some of the top SSDs for PS5, like the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX and Samsung 980 Pro, have been falling, making it a good time to consider an upgrade.
- What does the term ‘write endurance’ mean in the context of SSDs? Write endurance refers to the amount of data that can be written to an SSD before it might start to fail. The higher the write endurance, the longer the SSD will typically last.
- Is it necessary to future-proof my PS5 storage system? Future-proofing your storage system is a personal choice and depends on how you anticipate your gaming habits to evolve. If you plan on playing and storing many games in the future, opting for a higher-capacity SSD with a strong endurance might be worth considering.
- Can any SSD be used in a PS5? No, only certain SSDs are compatible with the PS5. These need to be Gen 4.0 NVMe models with heatsinks. They must also meet certain size and speed requirements set by Sony.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a casual or hardcore gamer, a suitable hard drive can greatly enhance your PS5 gaming experience. When selecting a hard drive for your PS5, consider the balance of performance, reliability, capacity, and price. With the SSD market becoming more competitive and prices falling, now is an excellent time to upgrade your PS5’s storage. Our top recommendation remains the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX for its unbeatable value, but all these SSDs can serve as effective upgrades to your PS5.