It’s been nearly five years since the PlayStation 5 was released in 2020. During that time, a significant number of game titles have accumulated. However, the issue is that the PS5’s built-in storage capacity is only about 667GB. In an era where a single modern game can easily exceed 100GB, this capacity fills up quickly with just a few installations.
Many gamers are opting to install additional NVMe SSDs, not only to increase storage capacity but also to ensure fast loading speeds and a stable gaming environment. Today, we’ll introduce the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD 2TB, an officially compatible SSD for the PS5 that even includes DRAM. Let’s take a closer look at this product.
Specifications and Components
The main specifications of the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD 2TB are as follows:
Product Specifications
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe
Capacity: 2TB
Controller: Phison PS5018-E18-41
NAND: 176-layer TLC NAND
DRAM: 2GB
Maximum Read Speed: 7,300MB/s
Maximum Write Speed: 6,900MB/s
Endurance: 2,550TBW (for 2TB)
MTBF: 1.8 million hours
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
Size/Weight: 80.9mm x 24.2mm x 11.1mm / 46g
Heatsink: Low-profile heatsink included
The package is simple, consisting of the SSD itself and a basic installation guide. No additional drivers are needed, and installation can be done with just a Phillips screwdriver.
Appearance and Features
The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD features a simple black design. It comes with a low-profile heatsink, accented with a blue line to match the PS5’s main color, showing attention to aesthetic harmony. The heatsink is 11.1mm thick, perfectly fitting the PS5’s internal slot’s maximum allowable thickness of 11.25mm.
The SSD is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities. Note that the 4TB model has not yet been officially released in the domestic market. I tested the 2TB version, which I recommend for avid gamers.
The product boasts a maximum read speed of 7,300MB/s, comfortably exceeding the PS5’s minimum requirement of 5,500MB/s. In terms of durability, the 2TB model offers an impressive 2,550TBW, meaning it can handle that amount of data writing. Even if you write 100GB daily, it would last about 70 years, showcasing its extraordinary lifespan.
This SSD includes 2GB of DDR4 DRAM, allowing for noticeably faster loading times during gameplay. Since the PS5 does not support host memory buffer functionality, products without DRAM may suffer in performance.
Installation and Setup for PlayStation 5
Let’s install the SSD in the PS5 and test the basic speed and game loading times. The installation process is simpler than expected.
First, place the PS5 with the logo side facing down. Gently lift the corner marked with a circle and slide in the direction of the arrow to remove the case.
Once the case is open, you’ll see the expansion slot cover. Remove the screw with a Phillips screwdriver to reveal the NVMe SSD slot.
The PS5 supports SSDs of various lengths: 30/40/60/80/110mm, with a maximum thickness of 11.25mm. The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD is a standard 2280 size (22mm x 80mm), making it perfectly compatible with the PS5.
Insert the SSD into the slot at an angle, align the spacer to the correct position, and secure it with a screw. Close the cover and return the case to its original position to complete the hardware installation.
When you turn on the PS5, the M.2 SSD storage setup screen will automatically appear. Click the ‘Format’ button to format the SSD. During formatting, the PS5’s built-in benchmark will measure speed; in my case, it recorded a read speed of 6,371MB/s, comfortably exceeding the PS5’s requirement of 5,500MB/s.
Finally, go to Settings > Storage and change the ‘Default Installation Path for Games and Apps’ to the M.2 SSD storage to complete all settings.
If you have games installed on the existing internal storage, you can use the move function without needing to reinstall. It took only about 50 seconds to transfer a 120GB game, which is significantly faster than using an external hard drive.
PlayStation 5 Game Loading Test
To test actual game loading speeds, I installed Gran Turismo 7 on both the default storage and the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD 2TB and compared the loading times.
The video shows that the time to enter the main menu from the game start screen was about 1-2 seconds faster. Similar differences were observed in track loading times before a race. This 2-second difference can greatly enhance immersion, especially in large open-world games when moving across maps or using fast travel.
Performance Test
I conducted a more detailed performance test by installing the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 M.2 NVMe SSD 2TB on a PC.
The CrystalDiskMark test results showed a sequential read speed of 7,320MB/s and a sequential write speed of 6,875MB/s, closely matching the product specs and representing top-tier speeds for a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface. The 4K random read/write performance was also excellent, which is crucial for handling small files.
In the 3DMark Storage Benchmark, it scored 2,959 points. This test simulates real gaming scenarios like loading, installing, and recording gameplay, demonstrating sufficient performance for a Gen4 interface SSD.
In the final Naraeon Dirty Test, the stable sustained write performance due to DRAM stood out, maintaining an average of 3.7GB/s even in extreme conditions of writing the entire 2TB. Game installations typically range from 100-150GB, which can be handled comfortably within the cache range.
Conclusion
The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD 2TB is an officially compatible product for the PS5, allowing for worry-free installation and use. It comes with a low-profile heatsink, eliminating the need for additional costs or work.
In terms of performance, it offers read/write speeds that comfortably exceed the PS5’s requirements. It demonstrated better performance than the default storage in actual game loading and handled large game installations and data transfers quickly. With industry-leading durability and warranty conditions, including a high endurance rating of 2,550TBW and a 5-year limited warranty, it offers peace of mind for long-term use.
For those who find the PS5’s storage insufficient, especially those who actively use the PS Plus catalog, I recommend the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 NVMe SSD 2TB for its reliable performance and excellent durability.
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