What happens if you install the wrong SSD in your PS5? A YouTuber conducted the test and was surprised by the result. MeinMMO explains what happens if you install the wrong SSD and whether you might even save money with a worse SSD.
Storage space is a rare commodity on the PlayStation 5, as gamers only have about 600 GB of free space for games and updates.
Meanwhile, Sony has introduced how to install an additional SSD in your PS5. However, Sony mainly presented technical details, and many interested parties wish for a list of devices that actually work.
But what actually happens if you install a wrong or incompatible M.2 SSD in your PS5? The tech YouTuber Linus from Linus Tech Tips tried it out and installed various storage media in a PlayStation 5.
MeinMMO explains to you what happens if you install the wrong SSD and whether you might even be able to save money.
Recommended and compatible SSDs for your PS5 can be found in this article:
PCIe-3.0 SSDs do not work with the PS5, drives below minimum requirements are not compatible
What happens if you install the wrong SSD? The PlayStation 5 boots normally, but then you will receive an error message indicating that the hard drive is not compatible. Your console cannot be damaged this way; you just cannot use the installed device properly.
Which M.2 SSD does not work? Linus first installs an M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 in the PlayStation 5. And the result is probably not surprising, as the PS5 immediately indicates that it is an incompatible device.
You will need at least an M.2 SSD with PCIe 4.0 for your PlayStation 5; the previous generation does not work.
What was surprising? Linus installs an M.2 SSD in the PlayStation 5 that does not meet the required speed. Still, the PlayStation formats the SSD without any issues, and afterward, you can even play games from it.
The YouTuber does not register performance losses or longer loading times in his video. You can watch the entire video here:
Sony theoretically gives users the freedom to choose their SSD, unlike Microsoft
In contrast to Sony, Microsoft uses a different method when you want to expand the storage of the Xbox Series X. For the Xbox Series X, you must purchase a storage expansion that costs around 240 euros.
The price, at 240 euros, is not really higher than that of various M.2 SSDs that you can buy for your PlayStation 5.
However, Linus criticizes that you have no choice with the Xbox; you must and can only buy the specific expansion card designed for the Xbox Series X. This restricts user freedom of choice.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seagate Expansion Card SSD 1TB, Xbox Series X|S, Plug and Play NVMe, offiziel lizensiert, Rescue... | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Is it worth installing a slow M.2 SSD in the PS5?
So far, you can also play games on an SSD that does not meet the minimum requirements without any issues. The YouTuber Linus demonstrates this in his video using Spider Man as an example.
What is recommended? It is advisable to invest the additional 20 to 50 euros in a faster drive. It is likely that Sony and manufacturers will further optimize loading times for newer games in the future. Thus, investing in a fast drive will probably pay off in the long run. However, the current speed is still sufficient for current titles.
What could happen? In the worst-case scenario, Sony might block M.2 SSDs that do not meet the minimum requirements with a future update, and you will no longer be able to use your slow SSD.
The chief architect of the PlayStation 5 has also revealed which M.2 SSD he prefers for the PlayStation 5:
Chief architect of the PS5 reveals which SSD he likes best
However, Linus criticizes that you have no choice with the Xbox; you must and can only buy the specific expansion card designed for the Xbox Series X. This restricts user freedom of choice.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Seagate Expansion Card SSD 1TB, Xbox Series X|S, Plug and Play NVMe, offiziel lizensiert, Rescue... | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
Is it worth installing a slow M.2 SSD in the PS5?
So far, you can also play games on an SSD that does not meet the minimum requirements without any issues. The YouTuber Linus demonstrates this in his video using Spider Man as an example.
What is recommended? It is advisable to invest the additional 20 to 50 euros in a faster drive. It is likely that Sony and manufacturers will further optimize loading times for newer games in the future. Thus, investing in a fast drive will probably pay off in the long run. However, the current speed is still sufficient for current titles.
What could happen? In the worst-case scenario, Sony might block M.2 SSDs that do not meet the minimum requirements with a future update, and you will no longer be able to use your slow SSD.
The chief architect of the PlayStation 5 has also revealed which M.2 SSD he prefers for the PlayStation 5:
