How to Install an NVMe SSD in PlayStation 5: Original, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro

Modern games are bigger than ever, and it doesn’t take long for a PlayStation 5 to run out of internal storage. Whether you own the original PS5, the PS5 Slim, or the PS5 Pro, installing an NVMe M.2 SSD is one of the easiest ways to expand your console’s capacity and have more games installed and ready to play.

In this article, we will explain why upgrading your PS5 storage is worth it, as well as what SSD specifications you need to look for, and which drives are recommended for reliable performance.

Why upgrade your PS5 internal storage

Increasing your PS5’s internal storage is one of the easiest ways to expand your console’s capacity and keep your gaming setup ready for the future. While the built-in SSD delivers excellent performance, the available storage space can fill up quickly as your game library grows. Installing an additional NVMe SSD gives you more room for new titles without having to constantly monitor your storage or uninstall games in your library.

This is also a practical way to future-proof your console. Game sizes and update requirements will only continue to increase, so adding high-capacity internal storage now helps ensure your PS5 has enough space to support larger games in the years ahead.

AAA game sizes vs available console storage

Many modern AAA releases now require around 80GB to 150GB of storage, and that number can grow even further once updates, patches, and downloadable content are installed.

With several large games installed at once, the PS5’s available internal storage can quickly start to feel limited. For example, the original PlayStation 5 base model has 825GB of internal storage. However, only 667GB can be used for games due to the significant storage space taken up by the operating system (OS) and system files.

Running out of space often means deleting games just to install new ones or re-downloading titles you want to play again later. Expanding your PS5 with an NVMe SSD helps avoid this constant storage management, allowing you to keep more games installed at the same time and switch between them whenever you want.

PS5 console model differences: Original vs. Slim vs. Pro

Although each PS5 model delivers a slightly different design and performance profile, they all share the same internal storage limitations, and the same opportunity for expansion. Whether you are using the launch day original PS5, the streamlined PS5 Slim, or the more powerful PS5 Pro, understanding the differences between these consoles helps you know what to expect before installing an NVMe SSD.

• The original PS5 comes with an 825GB internal NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, and a full-size console chassis. While its specs are strong enough for current games, storage can fill quickly, making SSD upgrades a practical option. The standard M.2 2280 expansion slot allows high-speed NVMe drives.
• The PS5 Slim offers a smaller, more compact console size and 1TB internal SSD. While its chassis is slimmer and the cooling design is slightly different, it still supports NVMe SSD upgrades.
• The PS5 Pro features enhanced CPU and GPU performance and comes with 2TB internal SSD, offering significantly more built‑in storage than the original PS5 and PS5 Slim. Despite the increase in internal capacity, SSD upgrades compatibility remains unchanged, and installing an NVMe M.2 SSD follows the same process and requirements as the original and Slim models.

Overall, all three PS5 versions offer the opportunity to expand their internal storage, and the steps for installing a compatible NVMe SSD are identical across the consoles.

PS5 SSD requirements and compatibility checklist

Before beginning your PS5 NVMe SSD upgrade, it’s important to check that your drive meets the console’s requirements.

The PS5 supports PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSDs with fast read/write speeds to ensure smooth performance, Gen 5 SSDs won’t provide extra performance benefits. Physical size and heatsink height matter to fit the expansion slot and prevent overheating, ensure your SSD meets these specs so installation is easier and your PS5 runs optimally.

Required specs: Read/Write speeds, PCIe Gen and size

For a PS5 NVMe SSD upgrade, the drive must support PCIe 4.0 and offer a minimum sequential read speed of 5,500MB/s to ensure smooth game loading and performance.

The SSD must also fit the PS5 expansion slot, including meeting Sony’s heatsink size limits of up to 11.25 mm total height, to ensure proper cooling, prevent thermal throttling, and guarantee correct installation.

Gen5 drives are not explicitly supported by Sony, even if physically compatible. They will also provide no performance advantage on PS5 because the console can only operate at PCIe 4.0 speeds, and some Gen 5 drives may also run hotter or use larger heatsinks that exceed the console’s size requirements.

Recommended SSDs for PS5 upgrades

For your PS5 NVMe SSD upgrade, we recommend Kingston FURY Renegade with heatsink. This drive is capable of incredible speeds of up to 7,300MB/s and designed with a built-in aluminum heatsink to keep the drive cool.

To give you a clear picture of how Kingston FURY Renegade performs inside a PS5, we have included the results from our internal testing in the table below. It highlights key compatibility details, benchmark performance, transfer speeds, and real‑world usage insights, helping you understand exactly what to expect once the drive is installed.