PS5 Upgrade Guide: RAM, M.2 SSD and USB Storage Explained

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

This guide covers what you can upgrade on the Sony PlayStation 5, including the Slim, Digital Edition and Pro. The short answer: RAM and the processor are fixed, but you can add storage through the M.2 slot or an external USB drive.

At a glance

  • RAM is soldered on every PS5 model and can't be upgraded.
  • The processor can't be upgraded either.
  • There is one M.2 slot for a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD, 250 GB to 8 TB.
  • The SSD needs a heatsink, built in or added, and must fit within 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick.
  • A USB drive (5 Gbps or faster, 250 GB to 8 TB, no hub) can be used as extended storage.
M.2 slotSSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2242 / M.2 2260 / M.2 2280 / M.2 22110 (NVMe) · PCIe Gen4+ · up to 8 TB
M.2 slotSSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2242 / M.2 2260 / M.2 2280 / M.2 22110 (NVMe) · PCIe Gen4+ · up to 8 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

20202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Nov. 12, 2020
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Nov. 12, 2020 Official Original PS5 and Digital Edition launch in North America (also Mexico, Australia, Japan, NZ, South Korea); UK, Europe and Brazil followed on 2020-11-19
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Storage: add an M.2 NVMe SSD or a USB drive

The PS5 has one M.2 slot. It takes PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe drives with an M-Key connector (Socket 3), in 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 lengths. Capacity can range from 250 GB to 8 TB. Single- and double-sided drives both work. M.2 SATA SSDs are not supported.

Sony recommends a drive with a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster. A heatsink with a heat transfer sheet is required. Some drives have one built in, otherwise you add your own. The drive and heatsink together must be no more than 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick, made up of up to 8.0 mm above the board and up to 2.45 mm below it. Heatsink sizes vary a lot, so check these measurements before buying a drive with a built-in cooler.

Sony's sources disagree on the maximum size. The older PS5 Safety Guide says 4 TB, while current Sony support pages and the PS5 Pro guide say 8 TB. According to a community wiki, 8 TB support arrived with system software 8.00, and 4 TB was the limit from 4.00 to 7.61. Update your console software first. Sony's US page lists the short length as 40 mm, while its UK page and the safety guides say 42 mm. This is almost certainly a labelling difference for 2242 drives.

You can also plug in a USB drive as extended storage. It must be SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or faster, 250 GB to 8 TB, and connected directly rather than through a hub. You can attach several drives, but only one can be used at a time. Formatting erases the drive. The console has two USB-A ports (10 Gbps) and two USB-C ports (one Hi-Speed, one 10 Gbps). Which games can run from USB storage isn't covered in the documents we checked, so confirm that on Sony's support site before buying.

Buying tips

  • Choose a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe M-Key drive. Avoid M.2 SATA and PCIe 3.0 drives.
  • Look for 5,500 MB/s sequential read or faster.
  • Check the total height, including the heatsink, against the 11.25 mm limit (8.0 mm above the board, 2.45 mm below) and the 25 mm width limit.
  • Decide whether you want a drive with a built-in heatsink or will fit your own.
  • Sony doesn't guarantee that every drive meeting the spec will work, and games may not perform identically to the internal SSD, even on drives rated faster than 5,500 MB/s.
  • For USB storage, pick a drive rated 5 Gbps or faster and plan to connect it directly, not through a hub.

Cheapest compatible right now

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Update your PS5 system software first. Drives larger than 4 TB need version 8.00 or later.
  • Back up your saved games and any data you can't re-download.
  • Have your new drive's heatsink sorted out before you open the console.
  • Check Sony's official M.2 installation page and your console's manual for the exact steps for your model.
  • Remember that a USB drive is erased when it is formatted for extended storage.

Steps

  1. Back up your data
    Copy your saves and settings to cloud or USB storage so nothing is lost if something goes wrong.
  2. Update the console
    Install the latest system software. Drives above 4 TB need version 8.00 or later.
  3. Prepare the drive
    Confirm your SSD has a heatsink and heat transfer sheet, either built in or fitted by you, and that it fits within Sony's size limits.
  4. Power off and unplug
    Turn the console fully off (not rest mode), then unplug the power cable and any other cables.
  5. Ground yourself
    Touch a bare metal object or use an anti-static strap before handling the drive or opening the console. Work on a clean, flat surface.
  6. Open the console and install the drive
    Follow Sony's official M.2 installation guide and your console's manual for removing the cover and reaching the expansion slot on your model. Seat the drive in the M.2 slot and secure it as the guide describes.
  7. Close and reconnect
    Refit the cover, reconnect the cables and power the console on.
  8. Check that the console sees the drive
    Follow the on-screen prompts and check the storage settings to confirm the new drive is detected and its capacity is correct. If it isn't, power off and recheck the seating, the drive type and the heatsink fit.

Good to know

  • Sony doesn't guarantee that every drive meeting its spec will work.
  • Games may not perform identically to the internal SSD, even with drives rated above 5,500 MB/s.
  • A community wiki claims PCIe 3.0 drives and drives under 250 GB can be made to work with workarounds. Sony doesn't support this, and we don't recommend it.
  • The documents we checked don't state the memory speed.
  • Which games can run from USB extended storage isn't covered here. Check Sony's support site.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upgrade the RAM in a PS5?

No. The memory is soldered to the board. The PS5, Slim and Digital models have 16 GB of GDDR6. The PS5 Pro has 16 GB of GDDR6 plus 2 GB of DDR5.

Can I upgrade the PS5 processor?

No. There is no user-upgradable CPU, and the only expansion connector is the M.2 storage slot.

What is the biggest SSD the PS5 supports?

Sony's current support pages say 8 TB, which needs system software 8.00 or later. The older safety guide says 4 TB, which matches earlier software versions.

Does the PS5 support SATA M.2 SSDs?

No. The slot supports only PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe drives. M.2 SATA SSDs are not supported.

Do I need a heatsink on my PS5 SSD?

Yes. Sony requires a heatsink with a heat transfer sheet, either built into the drive or added by you. It must fit within 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick including the drive.

Can I use an external USB drive on a PS5?

Yes, as extended storage. It must be SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or faster, 250 GB to 8 TB, and connected without a hub. Formatting erases it. Check Sony's page for which games can run from it.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.