Sony explained how to install an additional M2 SSD in the PlayStation 5

Just after Seagate confirmed that their FireCuda 530 drive will be compatible with the PlayStation 5 console, Sony launched initial support to upgrade the console with an additional SSD. For now, this option is available to those participating in the beta testing of the new console firmware, but it should soon become available to everyone.

Upgrading could be a little complicated if you’ve never really dealt with things like that. But before it happens, you need to make sure you put the right drive in the console. This means the following:

• M.2 SSD lowest read speed 5500 MB / s (anything above fits)
• M.2 SSD type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110
• M.2 SSD drive Socket 3 (Key M) type
• a disk of the largest dimensions 110 millimeters long x 25 mm wide x 11.25 mm high
• more specifically, discs of length 30, 42, 60, 80, or 110 millimeters are supported

Two things also need to be emphasized. Sony recommends using M.2 SSD with a heat sink (but you must make sure that the disc and heat sink are no higher than 11.25 mm). The second thing is just as important - Sony does not guarantee that you will have the same or better performance in playing games (loading speed) on an additional disc even when that M.2 SSD is technically faster than the standard one that comes with the PlayStation 5 console.

The installation process itself should be taken seriously, say Sony. The console should be placed on a solid and flat surface (table) and the whole job was done in a well-lit room. What’s more, they say it’s not bad to have a small lamp with you - just in case. You need a small Phillips screwdriver.

They also emphasize that you need to get rid of static electricity before installation - by touching a metal / grounded object. Failure to do so may result in damage to the M.2 or the PlayStation 5 console itself.

The process of opening the console and inserting the M.2 SSD is demonstrated on this page.

Here are some more things we learned:

• it is not possible to halve the game installation by installing one part on the main disk and the other part on the additional one
• the additional disk must be completely blank, ie pre-formatted - it can only be used in its entirety and not only in one part
• both double-sided and single-sided M.2 SSDs are supported
• M.2 SATA SSDs are not supported
• The PS5 does not support HBM technology, so M.2 SSDs that use it could be slower than usual on the PS5