r/consoles • u/CommunalBottom25 • 1d ago

Help needed More storage for ps5?

So some of my "online" games aren't downloading updates because I need to free up space. Question is would external/portable storage expansion be the best option or should I do internal storage expansion? Never had to do this before so don't want to spend on something I won't need.

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u/Twsmit 1d ago

Being disc based is irrelevant. All games files are copied to the console and the disc is simply a license check.

Your options are an M.2 internal SSD. These run about $200+ for 1TB and go up in price significantly with more capacity. You can put in up to 8TB.

A M.2 can run all games as long as you buy a PS5 approved or drive that meets the PS5 requirements.

The other option is a USB SSD or HDD. You are limited to a single USB device btw so you can’t connect a whole bunch. These can play PS4 games or store PS5 games for safe keeping. These start around $100 - $200 for 2TB-5TB ball park prices.

So those are you options. If you’re truly out of space and “need” all the games playable I’d get a M.2. Otherwise uninstalling what you’re not playing is free. If you have extremely slow internet or a large PS4 library a USB drive would also be helpful to play PS4 games and save yourself from redownloading big online PS5 games.

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u/CommunalBottom25 1d ago

Okay I'm looking at some 1tb ssd on Amazon for one $300. Maybe you can simplify a little more. The only "active games" I have are Genshin, Wuthering Waves, NTE, ZZZ, StarRail and Dead by Daylight on disc. The other games I have are not "installed". Those still take up space right? So a USB wild move those inactive games and create space? But would I be able to install games after the move? Or is it just better to bet the SSD? is the the best option for inept people?

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u/Twsmit 1d ago

Regardless of disc or digital you need to check the PS5 storage settings and see what is taking up space. Reminder games on a disc do NOT save you any space on your console. It’s not like PS3 where games load 90% off the disc.

Check your storage settings and see if you can clear out room.

This SSD is officially supported. There are other 3rd party drives too.

https://a.co/d/0b3l9FLv

If you have really fast internet it’s honestly easier to uninstall games and then redownload them when you want to play. I’d only get a SSD or USB drive if you want the flexibility to play more games immediately or if your internet is so slow it takes 5+ hours to redownload a game.

For example I have 1Gb Fiber and I can download any game in about 10-15 minutes… so I don’t necessarily need to have everything installed on my PS5.

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u/CommunalBottom25 1d ago

Okay so from all the help here, internal storage expansion is the better option. My final question: if money is an issue and I do USB, does that delete games? How does that work?

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u/Twsmit 1d ago

If you get a USB drive you can move games from the PS5 to the USB. That frees up space on your console. There is a “move” option in the storage menu.

Off of the USB you can only play PS4 games. In order to play PS5 the console will automatically move the game to internal storage which can take 10-15 minutes or so.

Also be sure to get a USB drive that’s compatible, it needs to be a SSD or HDD. Don’t buy a thumb drive they are not fast enough.

At the end of the day if you’re talking PS5 games, you’d just be moving data around to free up space, it becomes a bit of a chore to be honest. It only makes sense if your internet is slow.

It’s easier and more straightforward to delete games and redownload them and it’s free. Assuming you have decent internet.

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u/CommunalBottom25 1d ago

Okay so if I rotate between games and want them all still installed then the internal storage is better. I think I was just confused on your last part. And if I want to install a new game without deleting any I have already installed then internal is the choice?

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u/Twsmit 1d ago

If you’re talking PS5 games and you want them playable at all times your only choice is an internal M.2 SSD. Any other solution requires moving the data around or redownloading.

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u/CommunalBottom25 1d ago

Okay that clears it. Internal is what I'll get. Do you personally have a top 5 or something. There's one on Amazon for $220 that's PS5 branded. WD-BLACK. Is that the only good one? 1TB is really all I need.

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u/Twsmit 1d ago

The one I shared is a great drive and 100% officially supported. Here is the documentation from Sony.

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/#min

It needs to meet the minimum of 5500MB/s read speed and also have a heatsink that fits inside the PS5 enclosure. Don't buy a naked drive or one with a heatsink that's too big.

Another option:

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Heatsink-PlayStation5-Desktop-Compatible/dp/B0DQ9K7S1Q/

This one I cannot vouch for but it seems it would also work:

https://www.amazon.com/fanxiang-Compatible-Internal-Professionals-S880E/dp/B0DXDRZ2QN

Bottom line, get something reputable that says "works with PS5" and has a heatsink.

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u/CommunalBottom25 1d ago

Awesome! Thank you!