I tried an INCOMPATIBLE drive with the PS5

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Sony recently launched their first Beta system update for the PS5, which added high speed M.2 SSD storage expansion support. Some journalists have been quick to criticize this as being too difficult... but does Microsoft's Xbox really have the better solution here, or was Sony right all along?

Recommended M.2 SSDs for your PS5
Seagate FireCuda 530

Samsung 980 Pro M.2 NVMe SSD (specifically the pro, non-pro is gen 3 and will not work)

Buy Playstation 5

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MUSIC CREDIT
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Intro: Laszlo - Supernova

Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High

CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
1:12 The benefits and drawbacks of choice
2:39 Microsoft's offering
3:13 How about internal storage?
3:42 Drive requirements
4:09 How to install an M.2 SSD into the PS5
5:38 Note about heatisnks
6:35 Games only note
7:32 Gameplay
9:11 What happens if we install an incompatible drive?
10:13 Using a drive that doesn't meet the minimum speed
10:27 Linus Drop Tips
10:30 Using a drive that doesn't meet the minimum speed
12:45 How can this be made easier for consumers?
14:32 Conclusion

[LinusTechTips]

These SSDs are compatible and will play well with games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, as long as they meet the speed requirements.
Even drives that don't meet the spec (older/cheaper gen4 drives) will still play well with _current_ games. But if you're buying a new SSD, the extra $20 - $30 for a drive that will meet specs and maintain its performance outweighs buying a cheaper, slower drive.
As games evolve, load times will probably become more optimized for high speed storage or in-sequence loading, which could be problematic for slower drives.

Gen3 drives are entirely incompatible regardless of storage size.

- JB

[SevenGC]

I love how there is a tiny little chapter dedicated to Linus's drop skills lmao!

[treescompany]

I love how any news outlet called this a hard upgrade. I don't think they've ever seen the lengths people have gone to to service their own consoles in the last 25 years. Gamers are determined folk

[shivavarunadicherla]

I really like linus's approach of clearly explaining the pros and cons on both PS5 and Xbox sides.

[dragofx_]

- "All you need is your SSD of choice"
- Yeah
- "A screwdriver"
- Yeah
- And of course, a PS5
- 🗿

[micahv]

As a Series X owner, I like the freedom of the Sony storage system. I think it’s incredible smart to use PC components to upgrade consoles. Microsoft easily could have done that, as they are literally the first thing installed on nearly every SSD sold! Additionally, the price of those seagate cards is a bit insane

[XxUltimateGodzXx]

When that first article came out saying the PS5's ssd upgrade was too hard, my immediate thought was, maybe it's just you...

[-SP.]

Sony said that they would be making a list of compatible drives for the PS5. My guess is, it will be available after the beta program ends.

[KeppyKep]

0:20 watching Linus push something towards the edge of a table while looking away from it gave me heart palpitations.

[chubbyadler]

I think the main reason we don't have a certification process for add-on drives is because Sony hasn't fully tested the external storage option at launch, and is still testing now. There may be more specifications to check, and maybe a certification badge once all the science is substantially complete, and the proper drives do begin to proliferate the market.

[indigoburst]

You should definitely put the cover back over the SSD slot, it's there to keep hot air from escaping into the rest of the system. There are exhaust slots inside the cavity that work with the negative pressure cooling design.

[IanHsieh]

The hardest part of installing a M.2 ssd in a PS5 is to find a PS5.

[pacifico]

I upgraded my microwave with an SSD, now it makes popcorn in 5 seconds. Thanks Linus!

[JolyonSmith]

Point of order: “Only 5500MB/s or faster drives are supported”…. in the Sony documentation shown, it says those speeds are RECOMMENDED, not that these are the only speeds SUPPORTED.

[roundtheloopandback]

Interesting comment at 5:59, recently I upgraded my ps5 and the sabrent rocket 4 plus came in a kit with a custom heatsink which replaces the metal heatshield inside and totally screws in place (neat solution), they even sell that heatsink seperately.

[LinuxinaBit]

"Someone needs to put pressure on Seagate."
*Immediately Proceeds to use Seagate drive in demo*

[nblucas]

Imma just quietly watch this whist pretending i can afford an ssd let alone a ps5 lol

[Kigen]

I watched a lot of these tutorials on YouTube before I installed mine. Linus is exceptionally clear about the steps and gets to the details in seconds. There’s a reason LTT is on top.

[Generalkidd]

Interesting that it's not a speed requirement but just a PCIe Gen 4 requirement. I wonder what would happen if you used a SATA to PCIe Gen 4 adapter (if such an adapter even exists)? Would that trick the PS5 into accepting a SATA SSD?

[chrismckay]

"Why would sony put out this beta if they didn't expect it to perform as it should?" Wow things sure have changed. I remember when beta testing something = 100% a glitchy crapshoot