Sony has released a patch for the PlayStation 5 that allows players to utilize third-party M.2 SSD drives to extend their console’s useable storage capacity beyond the PS5’s standard 825 GB. The first third-party to certify that its FireCuda 530 SSDs are compatible with the PS5 was SSD maker Seagate. However, in doing so, Seagate sent a warning to PS5 owners since their range of PS5-compatible SSDs was shown to be prohibitively costly.
The hardware maker identified four distinct Seagate SSDs as PS5 compatible as part of the FireCuda 530 range. They are available in capacities ranging from 500 GB to 4 TB. That’s exactly what PS5 users are looking for in terms of storage space.
The pricing will be a point of contention for PS5 owners. Because the PS5 SSDs from Seagate cost $149.99, $254.99, $514.99, and $999.99, respectively. That’s true, the two biggest Seagate choices are more expensive than the PS5.
There is certainly some additional context for the scenario that should be mentioned. To begin with, just because Seagate is the only firm to provide a “PS5 Compatible” SSD range doesn’t imply it’s the only one. Other, more inexpensive solutions are almost certainly on the way. They need to be tested to guarantee compatibility.
Also, while the PS5 M.2 SSDs are more inexpensive, Seagate’s most similar Xbox Series X/S product, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card, provides 1TB for $219.99, which isn’t significantly different from the PS5 M.2 SSDs.
The issue is that the PS5 comes pre-loaded with an 825 GB SSD storage option. While 825 GB may appear enough at first glance, it is actually fairly limited. Before customers even installed their first game, the PS5’s OS and required update storage shrinks from 825 GB to 667.2 GB.
Then there are games like Call of Duty: Warzone, which may require up to 100 GB of storage space. In other words, a few free-to-play titles or some PlayStation Plus free downloads are enough to fill the PS5’s internal storage.
Other storage choices for the PS5 are available, although they aren’t really useful. Users with a PS5 can store games on an external hard drive, but they can’t run them from there. They must be moved back into the PS5’s internal storage, which may be a Tetris-like process of switching games between the PS5 and the external hard drive.
Regardless, the PS5 has at the very least provided a new storage extension option. Users with limited internal capacity on their PS5s may now pay $149.99 or more on Seagate SSDs to increase their storage and install more games. They can also wait and see whether more cheap choices become available in the future. It’s a good beginning.
