3 Recommended "External SSDs Connected to PS5" Supports Saving PS5 Games! [April 2021 latest version]

　Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) latest game machine "PlayStation 5" (PlayStation 5, hereinafter PS5) released in November 2020. Although it is still in short supply, it seems that availability has improved compared to immediately after its release.

　The PS5 had its first large-scale software update since its release on April 14th. With this, PS5 game data can now be saved to USB-connected external storage. Even if the built-in SSD of the main unit is running out of free space, you can increase the free space by temporarily saving it to the external storage.

　In this article, we will introduce the points you should know when using an external SSD with a particularly fast data read/write speed among external storages with PS5, and recommended external SSDs based on that.

What are the external storage requirements for PS5?

The external storage used with the PS5 must meet the following conditions.

　Most current USB-connected storage meets the requirements for USB communication standards. However, depending on the cable used for connection, it may be connected with less than USB 3.0, so please be careful.

　In some cases, the capacity requirements cannot be met with an inexpensive external SSD. Be sure to check the capacity before purchasing.

About the PS5's USB port

The PS5 has one USB Type-A port and one USB Type-C port on the front of the main unit. , with two USB Type-A ports on the back.

　Of these four USB terminals, the USB Type-A terminal on the front conforms to the "USB 2.0" standard, which has a slow communication speed (assuming connection of a controller, etc.). When connecting a USB storage, connect it to a USB terminal other than the USB Type-A terminal on the front.

What can you do if you connect an external storage to the PS5?

　With the PS5's external storage, you can do the following.

　As mentioned at the beginning, applying the software update the other day will allow PS5 game data to be transferred to external storage. You can check how to move on the PS5 support site.

It is not possible to directly install or launch PS5 games on external storage. If you want to play PS5 games that have been moved to external storage, you will need to move the data to the internal SSD. However, if the game you moved has an update, you can apply the update without moving it back to the internal SSD.

　If you use an SSD as external storage, you can move data from the external SSD to the internal SSD faster than a new installation on the internal SSD. Depending on the game, it is possible to install only some components (parts of the game), so reducing the installation capacity will inevitably reduce the time it takes to transfer data.

　PS5 games cannot be handled "directly", but by using the external SSD well, you can prepare for the lack of capacity of the internal SSD.

PS5 storage future (planned)

PS5 will support built-in (additional) M.2 SSD in the future. It is expected that the M.2 SSD will be able to download and install PS5 games, but the conditions (required capacity, transmission speed, etc.) have not yet been announced.

External storage used on PS4 can be used as is!

The USB-connected external storage used for the PS4 or "PlayStation 4 Pro (PS4 Pro)" can be used as is by connecting it to the PS5. It is also possible to "move" games installed on the internal storage of PS4/PS4 Pro to an external SSD, connect it to PS5 and enjoy the game.

However, please note the following points when playing games by connecting the external storage used on PS4/PS4 Pro to PS5.

As you can see from the notes, the digital edition cannot play PS4 titles installed from Blu-ray Discs. If you have PS4 game titles that use Blu-ray Discs, be careful about which console edition you buy.

Recommended "external SSD" is this!

There are a wide variety of external SSDs that can be used with PS4/PS4 Pro and PS5. Here are some of the most recommended items.

SSD-PUTA series/SSD-PUT/N series (Buffalo)

Buffalo stick type portable SSD. It has a shape similar to a USB memory and can be directly connected to the USB Type-A terminal without the need for a cable. The connection standard is USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen 1 / Superspeed USB), and the nominal maximum read speed is about 430MB per second.

　There are 3 types of capacities: 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB, all of which can be used with PS4/PS4 Pro/PS5. The differences between the SSD-PUTA series and the SSD-PUT/N series are sales channels (stores where they are sold), packages and some accessories, and the specifications of the SSD itself are the same.

My Passport SSD (Western Digital)

External SSD from Western Digital. It has a compact size of about 55mm in width, about 100mm in length, and about 9mm in thickness, and you can choose from five body colors. The connection is USB 3.1 Type-C, the maximum read speed is about 1050 MB, and the maximum write speed is about 1000 MB per second, which is one of the fastest SSDs that can be connected via USB. In addition to a USB Type-C cable, a conversion adapter for connecting with USB Type-A is also included.

　Four types of capacities are available: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. Although the price is a little high due to the high specs, it is recommended for those who do not want to compromise on speed even with an external SSD!

EXCERIA XS700

　External SSD released by KIOXIA's (former Toshiba Memory) consumer (individual) storage brand "EXCERIA". The connection standard is USB 3.1 Type-C, with a nominal read speed of up to 550 MB per second and a write speed of up to 500 MB per second. Both USB Type-A and Type-C cables are included, so you can use them according to the connection environment.

　There are two types of capacities: 480GB and 960GB. Recommended for those who want to use high-quality SSDs from domestic manufacturers.

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