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Yes. A PS4 game can be played from an M.2 SSD after the drive is installed in the PS5’s expansion slot and meets Sony’s compatibility requirements. Compatible PS4 games can also be played directly from USB extended storage, so an internal M.2 installation is not necessary just to play PS4 games.
What “playing from an M.2 SSD” means on PS5
This applies to an M.2 NVMe SSD installed in the PS5’s expansion slot and set up as console storage. A loose drive—or one still installed in another device—cannot simply be connected and used as PS5 M.2 storage. Sony’s M.2 installation instructions explain how to install and format a compatible drive.
Sony says installed M.2 storage can download, copy, and launch PS4 and PS5 games, along with media apps. The M.2 drive therefore works as more than an archive for PS4 games: supported games can run from it.
How M.2 and USB storage handle PS4 and PS5 games
| Storage location | PS4 games | PS5 games | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 internal storage | Can be played | Can be played | Built-in console storage. |
| Compatible M.2 SSD installed in PS5 | Can be stored and launched | Can be stored and launched | Drive must meet Sony’s interface, capacity, speed, and physical-fit requirements. |
| USB extended storage | Compatible games can be stored and played directly | Can be stored, but must be copied to console storage or M.2 storage to play | External USB drive; Sony specifies 250 GB to 8 TB and SuperSpeed USB of at least 5 Gbps. |
Sony’s USB extended-storage guidance says the console does not guarantee that every drive will work. For someone who mainly wants to play PS4 games and prefers not to install an internal drive, compatible USB extended storage is a valid alternative.
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What M.2 SSD works with PS5?
Sony’s requirements for a drive installed in the PS5 expansion slot include:
- Interface: M.2 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen4 x4 and Key M. M.2 SATA SSDs are unsupported.
- Capacity: 250 GB to 8 TB.
- Sequential read speed: Sony recommends at least 5,500 MB/s.
- Cooling: A cooling structure, such as a heatsink, is required. The drive and cooling structure must fit within Sony’s slot dimensions.
- Supported module lengths: 30, 42, 60, 80, or 110 mm (2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110).
- Drive construction: Single-sided and double-sided drives are supported, but the cooling structure’s dimensions still need to fit.
Do not treat “M.2 with a heatsink” as a complete compatibility check. Sony also specifies width and thickness limits for the SSD and cooling structure; consult the full dimensional table on its M.2 requirements page before buying. Sony warns that meeting the listed specifications does not guarantee that a third-party SSD will work. If a game has problems running from M.2 storage, Sony advises moving it to the console’s internal storage.
Rank #2
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
Does an M.2 SSD make PS4 games load faster?
Sony’s PlayStation Blog FAQ, published November 9, 2020, says PS4 and PlayStation VR games load more quickly from the PS5’s internal SSD than from USB storage, but do not use the SSD’s full next-generation capabilities. That statement compares the internal SSD with USB; it does not give a measured load-time comparison between the internal SSD and an M.2 expansion drive, or establish a specific improvement for M.2. See PlayStation’s PS5: The Ultimate FAQ.
Game installations and save data are separate
Moving or storing a PS4 game installation on M.2 or USB storage does not automatically move its saved data. Sony lists separate storage options for game data and saved data. Check Sony’s PS5 storage-management guidance when moving installations or managing saves.
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Rank #4
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
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