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Sony open up M2 SSD port to beta testers of system software

cormack12

Gold Member
Source: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/

Important​

This feature is only available to beta users at this time. The internal M.2 SSD expansion feature will be enabled via an upcoming PS5 system software update. Please check the guide below for more information. Please note that because this is a beta, features and specifications described herein may change prior to the official system software release.

What is an M.2 SSD?​

M.2 SSD devices are a high-speed solid state drive medium that PS5 beta users can install to upgrade the storage capacity of their PS5 console or PS5 Digital Edition console (separate purchase required). We recommend verifying that you’ve received a beta invitation before purchasing a new M.2 SSD.

Why add an M.2 SSD to your PS5 console?​

Once installed in the PS5 console, M.2 SSD storage can be used to download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games, as well as media apps. This allows you to increase the storage space available to you on your PS5 console. You can freely move games between the PS5 console’s storage, a connected USB extended storage device and the added M.2 SSD storage.

M.2 SSD requirements for PS5 consoles
Interface
: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
Capacity: 250GB – 4TB
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: 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended
Module width: 22mm width (25mm width is not supported)
Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110.
These numbers can be found on retail listings for M.2 SSD devices. The first two digits refer to the width, the remaining digits to the length.
Socket type: Socket 3 (Key M)
Total size including cooling structure:
In millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H).
In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H).
See below for full requirements.
Length
The following M.2 SSD lengths are compatible with PS5 consoles:
30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm (corresponding to the form factor type, per above).
Width
A 22mm-wide M.2 SSD module is required.
The total structure (including an added cooling structure) cannot exceed 25mm (0.984in).
Height
The total height of the M.2 SSD and its cooling structure (such as a heatsink) – whether built-in or separate – must be less than 11.25mm (0.442in).
The height must also be in the right place, in relation to the M.2 SSD’s circuit board:
  • The size below the board must be less than 2.45mm (0.096in).
  • The total size above the board must be less than 8mm (0.314in).
(Note: millimeter measurements are the technical standard and are more precise than inches. We recommend double-checking that the total dimensions of M.2 SSD and heatsink products you’re considering meet the millimeter requirements before purchasing)

m2-heatsink-built-in$en


m2-heatsink-single-sided$en

m2-heatsink-double-sided$en


  • Both single-sided and double-sided M.2 SSD devices are supported.
  • M.2 SATA SSDs aren’t supported.
  • You should carefully review drive specifications prior to purchase and contact the vendor or manufacturer if you need further information. SIE cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSD devices meeting the described specifications will work with your console and assumes no responsibility for the selection, performance or use of third-party products.
  • Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
  • The majority of M.2 SSD devices with the above type numbers (M Key Type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110) and without a built-in cooling structure will fit the PS5 console’s SSD slot. However, sizes for cooling structures (like heatsinks) vary greatly. If you are not sure an M.2 SSD or cooling structure (such as a heatsink) you’re considering meets the size requirements outlined here, we recommend looking for another product option or contacting the vendor or manufacturer for more information.
If you experience problems while playing a game installed on M.2 SSD storage, move the game to the internal Ultra-High Speed console storage.
 
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hlm666

Member
Bill Murray Nbc GIF by Saturday Night Live




The drive manufacturer will tell you if you require a heatsink for a specific drive. There are some on the market that don't require one.
"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."
 

GHG

Gold Member
"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."

I've got 2 m.2 drives in my PC, neither have a heatsink on and both perform at the advertised speeds. It's as simple as checking what the recommendation is by the drive manufacturer.


That is not just up to the SSD itself.

It pretty much is. If the SSD manufacturer say it will perform at the advertised speeds without a heatsink then that's exactly what it will do (if not you have a faulty drive). Suddenly slotting that same drive into a PS5 doesn't mean it's doing anything special.
 
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Topher

Gold Member
What happens to the argument that games are being fundamentally designed for a 7GB/s ssd but then are able to run on something slower? I would love to see Rachet running off a slower SSD's to see the real-world difference.


Eh....I don't know about any of that. I'm just glad the required price point for PS5 expansion is a lot lower than expected. Based on the requirements, this $160 SSD will work.

https://www.newegg.com/pny-1tb-xlr8-cs3040/p/N82E16820177092?quicklink=true

Edit:

But Sony does say this:

  • Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
 
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oldergamer

Member
What happens to the argument that games are being fundamentally designed for a 7GB/s ssd but then are able to run on something slower? I would love to see Rachet running off a slower SSD's to see the real-world difference.
They aren't. This was bs from the start. Games will be developed against sustained speed, not peak. I called this out last year. Optimal file transfer size plays a role, and heat plays a role in how well these ssds performs.

We have little proof that the max speed sony listed is even sustainable in a game and thus far, there has been a minimal difference in load speeds compared to XSX. All the talk of double speed never materialized. Even in the ps5 unreal demo it never approached peak ssd speed.

Sony saying "recommend speed" pretty much confirms it imo. You pay extra for speed with Nvme drives on pc. Same will occur here.

I have 2 TB in my xbox and its over half full of games. Extra space is needed on all consoles imo.
 

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
They aren't. This was bs from the start. Games will be developed against sustained speed, not peak. I called this out last year. Optimal file transfer size plays a role, and heat plays a role in how well these ssds performs.

We have little proof that the max speed sony listed is even sustainable in a game and thus far, there has been a minimal difference in load speeds compared to XSX. All the talk of double speed never materialized. Even in the ps5 unreal demo it never approached peak ssd speed.

Sony saying "recommend speed" pretty much confirms it imo. You pay extra for speed with Nvme drives on pc. Same will occur here.

I have 2 TB in my xbox and its over half full of games. Extra space is needed on all consoles imo.
Why do we talk about 7 GB/s? The requirement is 5.5 GB/s raw, that is it.

Everything else is due to compression being factored in as well as techniques which avoid over fetching data you do not need (PRT).
 

reksveks

Member
Eh....I don't know about any of that. I'm just glad the required price point for PS5 expansion is a lot lower than expected. Based on the requirements, this $160 SSD will work.

https://www.newegg.com/pny-1tb-xlr8-cs3040/p/N82E16820177092?quicklink=true

Edit:

But Sony does say this:

  • Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
That's kinda why i thought there would be a min, there still might be but we don't know what it is. They are stuck between causing real issues with people sticking in old/not fast enough ssd's in the drive and it not working at all or it having slightly inconsistent performance. I can see arguments for both and probably would have done what they did.
 

reksveks

Member
They aren't. This was bs from the start. Games will be developed against sustained speed, not peak. I called this out last year. Optimal file transfer size plays a role, and heat plays a role in how well these ssds performs.
It was a kinda of rhetorical question :D
 

hlm666

Member
I've got 2 m.2 drives in my PC, neither have a heatsink on and both perform at the advertised speeds. It's as simple as checking what the recommendation is by the drive manufacturer.




It pretty much is. If the SSD manufacturer say it will perform at the advertised speeds without a heatsink then that's exactly what it will do (if not you have a faulty drive). Suddenly slotting that same drive into a PS5 doesn't mean it's doing anything special.
Your ssd isn't sitting in a little plastic hole, Your fans should be pushing air across your mobo to cool the ram and vrms already and thus your ssd is getting active cooling. This is Sony saying this not me. But we all know someone is going to put one in without a heatsink, make it thermal throttle and then say it's not their fault.
 

reksveks

Member
Yes and it was a bad one to boot. Bandwidth is 5.5 GB/s RAW on one device and 2.4 GB/s on the other. Period.

Anything on top is “effective” abstract math factoring in compression and SFS/PRT.
I didn't mention the other device, i give no fucks about the series x (got the series s cause its my indie box, play my big AAA games on my PC hopefully with RTX/DLSS support). Also i am probably remoting playing my series s (as a switch) about 60% of the time.
 
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Why do we talk about 7 GB/s? The requirement is 5.5 GB/s raw, that is it.

Everything else is due to compression being factored in as well as techniques which avoid over fetching data you do not need (PRT).
Cerny specifically mentioned SSDs would require speeds > 5.5GB/s due to the internal SSD having 6 levels of priority compared to that of 2 levels with NVMe. That's where the talk of 7GB/s came from. Nothing to do with compression.
 

kuncol02

Banned
Eh....I don't know about any of that. I'm just glad the required price point for PS5 expansion is a lot lower than expected. Based on the requirements, this $160 SSD will work.

https://www.newegg.com/pny-1tb-xlr8-cs3040/p/N82E16820177092?quicklink=true

Edit:

But Sony does say this:

  • Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
That drive don't reach 5500MB/s in sequential read from what i see in tests.

 
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Your ssd isn't sitting in a little plastic hole, Your fans should be pushing air across your mobo to cool the ram and vrms already and thus your ssd is getting active cooling. This is Sony saying this not me. But we all know someone is going to put one in without a heatsink, make it thermal throttle and then say it's not their fault.
Was gonna reply with the exact same thing.
 

GHG

Gold Member
Your ssd isn't sitting in a little plastic hole, Your fans should be pushing air across your mobo to cool the ram and vrms already and thus your ssd is getting active cooling. This is Sony saying this not me. But we all know someone is going to put one in without a heatsink, make it thermal throttle and then say it's not their fault.

That's a fair point tbh, airflow is a factor and if the PS5's expansion bay gets none then it changes things.

There are a bunch of gen. 4 drives coming out that won't require a heatsink or airfliw since they designed to also work in laptops:

The SSD will do just fine within a notebook or external enclosure without the large heatsink though.


Will be interesting to see what people's experiences are with various drives with/without the heatsink. No doubt one of the bigger hardware reviewers will do a roundup with various drives being tested.
 
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