Seagate, Western Digital announce PS5-compatible SSDs

Data storage companies Seagate and Western Digital have confirmed that their respective solid-state drive (SSD) products with heatsinks, the FireCuda 530 and the WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe, will be compatible with the PlayStation 5.

PS5 beta users have access to a feature where they can add an M.2 SSD to their console, which would expand its storage space. The internal M.2 SSD expansion feature will be enabled via an upcoming PS5 system software update.

Once installed in the PS5 console, the M.2 SSD storage can be used to download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games, as well as media apps. Users can easily move games between the PS5 console’s storage, a connected USB extended storage device and the added M.2 SSD storage. (Read: 25 new PlayStation 5 games in the works from PlayStation Studios)

Supported M.2 SSDs must meet the following requirements (as of the beta):

• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
• Capacity: 250 GB – 4 TB
• Cooling structure: Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built-in.
• Sequential read speed: 5,500 MB/s or faster is recommended 
• Module width: 22 mm width (25 mm width is not supported)
• Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110
• Socket type: Socket 3 (Key M) 
• The total size including cooling structure: Smaller than 110 mm x 25 mm x 11.25 mm

Seagate said the FireCuda 530’s built-in heatsink and SSD combo makes for an easy drop-in expansion solution to the PS5 with no additional parts needed.

The product offers a minimalist design, anodized aluminum body, and finely textured micropore surface to improve heat transfer and lower SSD temperatures. This makes it super efficient at maximum cooling to maintain peak performance for longer periods.

The FireCuda 530 with heatsink comes in 500 GB ($169.99), 1 TB ($274.99), 2 TB ($569.99), and 4 TB ($1,049.99) capacities.

It is touted as the fastest FireCuda ever with transfer speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s. This means faster and smoother content creation apps, lightning-fast video rendering and exporting, as well as responsive performance built for accelerated gaming and sustained abuse.

Similarly, Western Digital announced the PS5-compatible WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe, which will come in 500 GB ($139.99), 1 TB ($249.99), and 2 TB ($429.99) capacities.

Said product offers PCIe Gen4 technology, reaching 7,000 MB/s read speed and 5,300 MB/s write speed. It is designed with an M.2 2280 slim, light, and compact form factor to easily slide into a gaming rig.

Aside from compatible internal SSDs, users can already attach an external drive to the video game console via USB. However, this can only store PS5 games (not in use), not play them.

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