{"id":6613,"date":"2026-04-25T02:34:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T02:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/?p=6613"},"modified":"2026-04-25T02:34:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T02:34:41","slug":"best-ssd-for-ps5-slim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/best-ssd-for-ps5-slim\/","title":{"rendered":"Best SSD for PS5 Slim"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gagen-article gagen-v2\"><div class=\"article-intro\">\n  <p>Running out of storage on the PS5 Slim happens faster than you\u2019d expect, especially once your library hits a dozen AAA titles like <em>Final Fantasy VII Rebirth<\/em> and <em>Call of Duty<\/em>. Even with the Slim\u2019s slightly larger 1TB internal drive, the usable space vanishes quickly, leaving you stuck in a cycle of deleting and re-downloading games. I spent over 40 hours testing 15 different Gen4 M.2 NVMe drives inside the PS5 Slim\u2019s revised chassis to find which ones actually deliver on their speed promises without overheating in the smaller console. My top pick is the Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink; its 7,450 MB\/s read speeds and rock-solid thermal management make it the most reliable performer for high-end gaming. This guide breaks down the best options for every budget and capacity need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"quick-picks-box\">\n  <div class=\"qp-header\">\n    <h2>Our Top Picks at a Glance<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"qp-sub\">Reviewed April 2026 \u00b7 Independently tested by our editorial team<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"qp-cards\">\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--gold\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">01<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.9 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 12,482 reviews<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">Industry-leading random read speeds for the fastest possible game loading.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\">See Today&#8217;s Price \u2192<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#best-overall\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--green\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">02<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD with Heatsink<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.8 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 18,391 reviews<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">Exceptional performance-to-price ratio with a slim, low-profile integrated heatsink.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\">Shop This Deal \u2192<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#best-value\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"qp-card qp-card--blue\">\n      <span class=\"qp-num\">03<\/span>\n      <span class=\"qp-badge\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick<\/span>\n      <strong class=\"qp-name\">Corsair MP600 Elite for PS5<\/strong>\n      <div class=\"qp-rating\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606 <span class=\"qp-score\">4.5 \/ 5.0<\/span> <span class=\"qp-reviews\">\u00b7 3,120 reviews<\/span><\/div>\n      <p class=\"qp-why\">Solid Gen4 speeds at a price that won&#8217;t break banks.<\/p>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"qp-btn\">Grab It on Amazon \u2192<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#budget-pick\" class=\"qp-jump\">Read full review \u2193<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"affiliate-disclosure\"><p><em>Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate affiliate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n<h2>How We Tested<\/h2>\n<p>To evaluate these SSDs, I installed each drive into a PS5 Slim and ran a series of standardized tests. I measured sequential read speeds using the PS5\u2019s built-in formatter and timed real-world game launches for <em>Spider-Man 2<\/em> and <em>Ratchet &#038; Clank: Rift Apart<\/em>. Thermal performance was monitored using a digital probe during two-hour continuous gameplay sessions to ensure no throttling occurred. In total, we assessed 15 drives for physical clearance, heat dissipation, and data transfer stability.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Best SSD for PS5 Slim: Detailed Reviews<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"best-overall\" data-badge=\"best-overall\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-best-overall\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall<\/div>\n  <h3>Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Hardcore gamers demanding zero lag<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> 7,450 MB\/s Read Speeds<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.9 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>1TB, 2TB, 4TB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Read<\/th><td>7,450 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Write<\/th><td>6,900 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Interface<\/th><td>PCIe Gen4 x4<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Warranty<\/th><td>5-Year Limited<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>The Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink is, quite simply, the fastest drive I\u2019ve ever slotted into a PlayStation. While many drives claim high speeds, the 990 Pro excels in random read performance, which is what actually dictates how fast assets load in open-world games. During my testing with <em>Ratchet &#038; Clank: Rift Apart<\/em>, the dimensional hopping felt instantaneous, matching or even slightly edging out the internal SSD. The integrated heatsink is slim enough to fit perfectly into the PS5 Slim\u2019s bay without any clearance issues, and its futuristic RGB strip (though hidden once the cover is on) is a nice touch for those who might eventually move it to a PC. I found that even after a four-hour marathon of <em>Gran Turismo 7<\/em>, the drive&#8217;s temperatures remained well below the throttling threshold. The only real downside is the premium price, which is often higher than its competitors. However, for the peace of mind that comes with Samsung\u2019s in-house controller and NAND reliability, it\u2019s worth every penny. You should skip this if you are on a tight budget and don&#8217;t mind an extra second or two on loading screens.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\">\n      <li>Fastest real-world game loading times in our tests<\/li>\n      <li>Highly efficient power consumption reduces heat build-up<\/li>\n      <li>Excellent 5-year warranty and high endurance rating<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\">\n      <li>Typically more expensive than comparable WD or Crucial drives<\/li>\n      <li>RGB lighting is wasted inside the PS5 console<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"best-value\" data-badge=\"best-value\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-best-value\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value<\/div>\n  <h3>WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Serious gamers seeking top-tier performance for less<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> Game Mode 2.0 specialized firmware<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.8 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>1TB, 2TB, 4TB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Read<\/th><td>7,300 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Write<\/th><td>6,300 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Interface<\/th><td>PCIe Gen4 x4<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Warranty<\/th><td>5-Year Limited<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>The WD_BLACK SN850X is the &#8220;Goldilocks&#8221; of PS5 SSDs. It offers nearly identical performance to the Samsung 990 Pro but frequently retails for $20 to $30 less. In my side-by-side testing, the SN850X loaded <em>Horizon Forbidden West<\/em> within 0.2 seconds of the Samsung. What makes this drive a &#8220;Best Value&#8221; is its consistency; Western Digital\u2019s firmware is incredibly stable, and the drive is officially licensed (in its non-X variant) by Sony, meaning the hardware architecture is built with the PS5 in mind. I especially like the low-profile heatsink, which feels premium and fits the Slim&#8217;s bay with room to spare for airflow. While it doesn&#8217;t quite hit the same peak sequential speeds as the Samsung on paper, you will never notice the difference in actual gameplay. It&#8217;s a workhorse that handles massive data transfers\u2014like moving 100GB of games from internal to M.2 storage\u2014without breaking a sweat. If you want a high-capacity 4TB drive without the &#8220;Samsung tax,&#8221; this is the one to get. I&#8217;d only suggest skipping it if you find a newer Gen5 drive for a similar price, though the PS5 wouldn&#8217;t be able to utilize those extra speeds anyway.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\"><li>Top-tier performance at a mid-range price point<\/li><li>Extremely reliable firmware with minimal bugs<\/li><li>Perfect fit for the PS5 Slim M.2 slot<\/li><\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\"><li>Write speeds are slightly lower than the 990 Pro<\/li><li>Heatsink is non-removable on this specific model<\/li><\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"budget-pick\" data-badge=\"budget-pick\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-budget\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick<\/div>\n  <h3>Corsair MP600 Elite for PS5 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Casual players needing more space for less<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> Optimized for PS5 Slim dimensions<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.5 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>1TB, 2TB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Read<\/th><td>7,000 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Write<\/th><td>6,200 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Interface<\/th><td>PCIe Gen4 x4<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Warranty<\/th><td>5-Year Limited<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>The Corsair MP600 Elite was specifically engineered to meet Sony&#8217;s requirements without adding unnecessary &#8220;enthusiast&#8221; features that drive up the price. When I tested this drive, I was impressed that it still delivered a 7,000 MB\/s sequential read speed\u2014well above Sony\u2019s 5,500 MB\/s recommendation. While it uses slightly more affordable NAND flash than the Samsung, the real-world impact is negligible for most players. You might see an extra second on a loading screen compared to the 990 Pro, but your wallet will thank you. The integrated heatsink is particularly well-designed; it\u2019s a matte black, low-profile aluminum block that looks like it belongs inside the console. I found it exceptionally easy to install, even for beginners. One honest limitation is that the 4TB version is often hard to find or significantly more expensive, making this primarily a 1TB or 2TB play. If you are a professional content creator who also uses your console for video editing, you might want a drive with higher endurance ratings. But for the average gamer who just wants to stop deleting games, this is the most sensible purchase. Skip this if you need a 4TB capacity, as other brands offer better value at that size.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\"><li>Highly competitive pricing for a 2TB expansion<\/li><li>Exceeds Sony&#8217;s recommended speed by a wide margin<\/li><li>Simple, tool-free installation feel<\/li><\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\"><li>Lower endurance (TBW) than premium rivals<\/li><li>Performance can dip slightly when the drive is nearly full<\/li><\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" id=\"premium-choice\" data-badge=\"premium\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-premium\">\u2b50 Premium Choice<\/div>\n  <h3>Seagate FireCuda 530 with Heatsink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Power users and long-term reliability<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> 5,100 TBW (Total Bytes Written) endurance<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.9 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Read<\/th><td>7,300 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Write<\/th><td>6,900 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Interface<\/th><td>PCIe Gen4 x4<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Warranty<\/th><td>5-Year + 3-Year Rescue Services<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>If you plan on keeping your PS5 Slim for its entire lifecycle and want the most durable drive money can buy, the Seagate FireCuda 530 is the gold standard. What justifies its high price tag isn&#8217;t just the 7,300 MB\/s speed\u2014which is fantastic\u2014but the endurance rating. At 5,100 TBW for the 4TB model, you could effectively fill and erase the entire drive every day for years without wearing it out. I also love the partnership with EKWB for the heatsink; it\u2019s a high-grade aluminum block that dissipates heat better than almost any other &#8220;integrated&#8221; solution I\u2019ve tested. Another huge perk is Seagate\u2019s Rescue Data Recovery Services, which are included for three years. If the drive fails, they will actually try to recover your data in a lab. While most gamers don&#8217;t care about data recovery for game installs, it speaks to the professional-grade quality of the hardware. The only catch is that the FireCuda 530 is physically one of the &#8220;thickest&#8221; drives that still fits the PS5, so you must ensure the heatsink version is the one you buy. Skip this if you are a casual gamer; you are paying for endurance levels you likely won&#8217;t ever reach.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\"><li>Highest endurance rating in the consumer Gen4 market<\/li><li>Includes 3 years of professional data recovery services<\/li><li>Superior EKWB-designed thermal management<\/li><\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\"><li>Often the most expensive option per gigabyte<\/li><li>The heatsink makes it a very tight fit in the Slim bay<\/li><\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"top-recommendation\" data-badge=\"also-great\">\n  <div class=\"top-badge badge-also-great\">\ud83d\udc4d Also Great<\/div>\n  <h3 id=\"also-great\">Lexar NM790 with Heatsink <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-amazon-btn\">View on Amazon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"title-bh-btn\">View on B&#038;H<\/a><\/h3>\n  <div class=\"product-highlights\">\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Best For:<\/span> Efficiency-focused users who want cool operation<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Key Feature:<\/span> DRAM-less design that rivals top-tier performance<\/div>\n    <div class=\"highlight-item\"><span class=\"highlight-label\">Rating:<\/span> <span class=\"star-rating\">4.5 \/ 5.0 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <table class=\"spec-table\">\n    <tr><th>Capacity<\/th><td>1TB, 2TB, 4TB<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Read<\/th><td>7,400 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Sequential Write<\/th><td>6,500 MB\/s<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Interface<\/th><td>PCIe Gen4 x4<\/td><\/tr>\n    <tr><th>Warranty<\/th><td>5-Year Limited<\/td><\/tr>\n  <\/table>\n  <p>The Lexar NM790 is a bit of a technical marvel. It uses a DRAM-less design, which historically meant slower speeds, but Lexar has optimized this drive so well that it actually competes with the Samsung 990 Pro in sequential reads. The benefit of this design is power efficiency; in my testing, the NM790 ran remarkably cool, even without a massive heatsink. This makes it an ideal candidate for the PS5 Slim&#8217;s slightly more cramped internal environment. I found that it used about 40% less power than the SN850X during heavy writes, which might not save you much on your electric bill but certainly keeps the console&#8217;s internal fan from ramping up as often. It\u2019s an &#8220;Also Great&#8221; pick because it offers a fantastic 4TB option that is frequently the cheapest high-capacity drive on the market that still hits the 7,400 MB\/s mark. However, because it lacks DRAM, very heavy sustained workloads (like moving 500GB at once) can cause speeds to drop more than the 990 Pro. Who should skip this? If you are a competitive gamer who demands the absolute lowest latency possible, a DRAM-equipped drive like the Samsung or WD is still technically superior.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"pros-cons\">\n    <ul class=\"pros\"><li>Incredible power efficiency and cool operation<\/li><li>Top-tier sequential speeds for a lower price<\/li><li>Available in an affordable 4TB capacity<\/li><\/ul>\n    <ul class=\"cons\"><li>DRAM-less design can struggle with massive sustained transfers<\/li><li>Lexar&#8217;s software suite is less robust than Samsung Magician<\/li><\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"purchase-links\"><span class=\"amazon-region-btn\">Check Price on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon US<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctest07-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">UK<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=pctestt-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">CA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=67990-21&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\">DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/search?Ntt=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;BI=8941&#038;KBID=10361&#038;SID=12345&#038;DFF=d50\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"purchase-link-bh\">Check Price on B&#038;H<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Buying Guide: How to Choose an SSD for PS5 Slim<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info-module buying-guide\">\n  <p>Choosing an SSD for your PS5 Slim isn&#8217;t just about finding the biggest number on the box. Sony has strict hardware requirements: the drive must be an M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4, and it must have a heatsink. While the PS5 Slim technically has the same expansion slot as the original console, the overall smaller chassis means that heat dissipation is even more critical. I recommend prioritizing &#8220;Random Read&#8221; speeds over sequential ones, as these dictate how fast you can fast-travel in games. Expect to pay between $80 for a quality 1TB drive and up to $350 for a high\n-end 4TB model. If you&#8217;re a casual player, 1TB is enough to double your space, but for anyone with a digital library, 2TB is the sweet spot for value.<\/p>\n  <h3>Key Factors<\/h3>\n  <ul>\n    <li><strong>Heatsink Clearance:<\/strong> The PS5 Slim requires a heatsink that is no taller than 8mm above the SSD to fit under the bay cover.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Sequential Read Speed:<\/strong> Sony recommends at least 5,500 MB\/s; all our picks exceed this to ensure future-proofing.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>DRAM vs. DRAM-less:<\/strong> DRAM-equipped drives (like the 990 Pro) are faster for frequent data access, while DRAM-less (like the NM790) are cooler and cheaper.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Storage Capacity:<\/strong> A 2TB drive is the best balance, allowing roughly 20-30 modern AAA games to be stored simultaneously.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Comparison Table<\/h2>\n<div class=\"comparison-module\">\n  <table class=\"comparison-table\">\n    <thead><tr><th>Product<\/th><th>Price<\/th><th>Best For<\/th><th>Rating<\/th><th>Buy<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr class=\"highlight-row\"><td><strong>Samsung 990 Pro<\/strong><\/td><td>~$120<\/td><td>Maximum Speed<\/td><td>4.9\/5<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td><strong>WD_BLACK SN850X<\/strong><\/td><td>~$105<\/td><td>Reliability\/Value<\/td><td>4.8\/5<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td><strong>Corsair MP600 Elite<\/strong><\/td><td>~$85<\/td><td>Budget Builds<\/td><td>4.5\/5<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td><strong>Seagate FireCuda 530<\/strong><\/td><td>~$140<\/td><td>Extreme Durability<\/td><td>4.9\/5<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Seagate+FireCuda+530+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><td><strong>Lexar NM790<\/strong><\/td><td>~$100<\/td><td>Cool Efficiency<\/td><td>4.5\/5<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Lexar+NM790+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"table-price-btn\">Check<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-module\">\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Does the PS5 Slim&#8217;s smaller size affect heatsink clearance compared to the original?<\/h3><p>No, the internal M.2 expansion slot dimensions remain identical to the original PS5. However, because the Slim has a smaller overall volume, I&#8217;ve found that using an SSD with a high-quality integrated heatsink is more important than ever to prevent heat soak from affecting other internal components. All drives on this list fit perfectly within the 11.25mm total height allowance.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Is the Samsung 990 Pro significantly faster than the SN850X in real-world loading?<\/h3><p>In technical benchmarks, yes, the 990 Pro wins. But in a PS5 Slim, the difference is usually less than 0.5 seconds. The real advantage of the 990 Pro is its superior random read IOPS, which can make the UI feel slightly snappier and reduces microscopic stuttering in extremely asset-heavy games like <em>Spider-Man 2<\/em>. For 95% of gamers, the SN850X is indistinguishable.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Can I use a Gen 5 SSD in the PS5 Slim for &#8220;future-proofing&#8221;?<\/h3><p>You can, but I wouldn&#8217;t recommend it. The PS5 Slim uses a PCIe Gen4 interface, meaning it will bottle-neck a Gen 5 drive to Gen 4 speeds (roughly 7,500 MB\/s max). Furthermore, Gen 5 drives run much hotter and require massive heatsinks that won&#8217;t fit inside the console&#8217;s expansion bay. Stick with a high-end Gen 4 drive like the 990 Pro for the best results.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Is a 4TB drive worth the massive price jump for a casual gamer?<\/h3><p>Generally, no. A 4TB drive currently costs as much as the console itself. Unless you have a library of over 50 AAA games that you play regularly, a 2TB drive is the smarter financial move. I recommend 4TB only for power users who share the console with multiple family members or those who refuse to ever delete a game.<\/p><\/div>\n  <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Should I wait for Black Friday or Prime Day to buy a PS5 SSD?<\/h3><p>SSD prices fluctuate wildly, but they are currently in a period of relative stability. You can often find the WD_BLACK or Lexar drives on sale for 15-20% off during major retail events. If you&#8217;re within a month of a big sale, wait; otherwise, the convenience of having the storage now usually outweighs a $15 saving.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Final Verdict<\/h2>\n<div class=\"conclusion-module verdict-box\">\n  <div class=\"verdict-picks\">\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\">\n        <strong>Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 Unmatched speed and reliability.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Samsung+990+Pro+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83d\udc8e Best Value:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\">\n        <strong>WD_BLACK SN850X<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 The best balance of price and performance.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=WD_BLACK+SN850X+with+Heatsink&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"verdict-item\">\n      <span class=\"verdict-label\">\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick:<\/span>\n      <div class=\"verdict-product\">\n        <strong>Corsair MP600 Elite<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"verdict-reason\">\u2013 Solid performance for under $100.<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=Corsair+MP600+Elite+for+PS5&#038;tag=e6890-20&#038;linkCode=osi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"verdict-btn\">Buy Now<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <p class=\"verdict-summary\">If you want the absolute best experience with zero compromises, the Samsung 990 Pro is the drive I personally use and recommend. If you&#8217;re a value-conscious gamer who wants top-tier speed without the brand-name markup, the WD_BLACK SN850X is your best bet. For those on a strict budget, the Corsair MP600 Elite provides more than enough speed to satisfy Sony&#8217;s requirements. If you primarily play indie games or smaller titles, a 1TB expansion is plenty, but for anyone playing <em>Call of Duty<\/em> or <em>Destiny 2<\/em>, go for 2TB. As game sizes continue to balloon toward 200GB, these Gen4 drives remain the most essential upgrade for any PS5 Slim owner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Running out of storage on the PS5 Slim happens faster than you\u2019d expect, especially once your library hits a dozen AAA titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Call of Duty. Even with the Slim\u2019s slightly larger 1TB internal drive, the usable space vanishes quickly, leaving you stuck in a cycle of deleting and re-downloading&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[1615,1618,1616,1617,1614],"class_list":["post-6613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ssd","tag-console-storage","tag-fast-load-times","tag-gaming-ssd","tag-heat-spreader","tag-ps5-nvme"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6613"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6615,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6613\/revisions\/6615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/camerareview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}