Hey there, PlayStation 5 gamers! Are you tired of running out of storage space or waiting ages for your favorite titles to load? If so, it’s time to consider a serious upgrade for your console. Expanding your PS5’s internal storage with a high-performance NVMe SSD is one of the best ways to enhance your gaming experience. And when it comes to reliable, lightning-fast storage, Lexar has some fantastic options. We’re diving deep into the Lexar best SSD with heatsink for PS5 market, comparing top contenders, and even throwing in a couple of stellar alternatives to ensure you pick the perfect drive.
A great SSD for your PS5 needs to be fast, dependable, and, crucially, come with a heatsink to keep things cool during those intense gaming marathons. Without proper cooling, even the fastest SSDs can throttle, slowing down performance. Let’s get straight into our top picks that will make your game library happy and your loading screens a distant memory!
Why Your PS5 Needs a Heatsink-Equipped SSD
The PlayStation 5 is a powerhouse, but its internal storage, while speedy, can fill up quickly, especially with today’s massive game files. Adding an M.2 NVMe SSD is the official way to expand your storage, but Sony recommends a drive with a heatsink. Why? Because the PS5’s internal environment can get warm, and a heatsink helps dissipate heat, ensuring your drive maintains optimal performance and longevity. It’s a crucial component for a stable and speedy gaming experience.
Our Top Picks for the Best SSDs with Heatsinks for PS5
We’ve scoured the market to bring you a selection of top-tier drives, including excellent Lexar options and a couple of other industry leaders, that are perfectly suited for your PlayStation 5.
Lexar 4TB Play SSD with Heatsink PCle Gen 4×4 NVMe
If you’re looking to truly future-proof your PS5 storage and virtually eliminate concerns about running out of space, the Lexar 4TB Play SSD with Heatsink is a phenomenal choice. Designed specifically with gamers in mind, this drive is ready to handle your entire game collection and then some, offering blazing-fast speeds that keep you immersed in the action. Its robust performance and generous capacity make it a fantastic investment for any serious PlayStation enthusiast.
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Key Features:
- Designed specifically to enhance your PS5 gaming experience.
- Up to 7400MB/s max read and 6500MB/s max write speeds for reduced load times.
- Massive 4TB capacity with 3200TBW endurance.
- Tested and approved for PS5 console; play games directly from the drive.
- Integrated heatsink for effortless installation and enhanced cooling.
- Also compatible with PC gaming, offering HMB and SLC Dynamic cache.
- Five-year limited warranty.
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Pros:
- Huge 4TB capacity means tons of games without deleting.
- Exceptional read/write speeds for virtually no loading screens.
- Integrated heatsink ensures optimal thermal performance.
- Plug-and-play compatibility with PS5.
- Versatile for both console and PC gaming.
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Cons:
- Premium price point due to high capacity.
- May be overkill for users who only need a small storage boost.
User Impressions: Gamers consistently praise the Lexar Play SSD for its massive storage and incredible speed. Many highlight the ease of installation with the pre-attached heatsink and the seamless integration with their PS5. The sheer volume of games it can hold is often mentioned as a major selling point.
Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2
For gamers seeking a solid boost in storage and performance without breaking the bank, the Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink is an excellent choice. This drive offers superb PCIe Gen 4 speeds that are twice as fast as older Gen 3 SSDs, ensuring your games load in a flash. The integrated heatsink is a big win for keeping your system cool, making this a reliable and efficient Lexar best SSD with heatsink for PS5 option for many. It’s a smart balance of speed, capacity, and value.
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Key Features:
- Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write.
- 1000TBW endurance rating.
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.
- Designed with an integrated heatsink for optimal cooling and power efficiency.
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs.
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 for smoother transfer speeds.
- Fully compatible with PlayStation 5.
- Five-year limited warranty.
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Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds significantly reduce load times.
- Efficient power consumption helps with overall system health.
- Integrated heatsink makes installation a breeze and ensures stable performance.
- Excellent value for a 1TB Gen 4 drive.
- Officially compatible with PS5.
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Cons:
- 1TB might still feel limited for extremely large game libraries.
User Impressions: Users frequently commend the NM790 for its impressive speed-to-price ratio. The HMB feature and low power consumption are often noted as positive differentiators, leading to a smooth, lag-free gaming experience on the PS5. The pre-installed heatsink is a recurring highlight for ease of use.
Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2
Stepping up from its 1TB sibling, the Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink provides that sweet spot for many PS5 users: ample storage combined with blistering speed. If 1TB just isn’t quite enough for your growing collection of AAA titles, this 2TB version offers twice the space while maintaining all the high-performance benefits. It’s an ideal choice for gamers who want a substantial storage upgrade without compromising on speed or thermal stability, making it another strong contender for the Lexar best SSD with heatsink for PS5.
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Key Features:
- Impressive 2TB capacity with 1500TBW endurance.
- Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write.
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.
- Features a pre-installed heatsink for superior cooling and performance.
- Up to 40% less power consumption compared to DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs.
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 for enhanced transfer speed and responsiveness.
- Fully compatible with PlayStation 5.
- Five-year limited warranty.
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Pros:
- Generous 2TB capacity is perfect for most game libraries.
- Top-tier read and write speeds ensure rapid game loading.
- Efficient design with low power consumption and HMB 3.0.
- Heatsink is integrated for hassle-free installation and effective heat management.
- Reliable performance backed by a five-year warranty.
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Cons:
- Higher price than the 1TB version (as expected).
User Impressions: Customers love the 2TB NM790 for its perfect balance of capacity and speed. They report seamless game transfers and lightning-fast boot-ups. The heatsink’s effectiveness in keeping the drive cool even during extended play sessions is often highlighted, along with its straightforward installation process.
SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen4 M.2
While our focus is on Lexar, it’s impossible to talk about the best SSDs for PS5 without mentioning the Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink. This drive is a performance beast, often considered one of the absolute top-tier NVMe SSDs available. With blazing-fast speeds and Samsung’s legendary reliability, it pushes the boundaries of PCIe Gen 4 performance. The ultra-slim integrated heatsink is perfectly designed to dissipate heat, ensuring your PS5 maintains peak performance without a hitch. If you want the absolute best of the best, regardless of brand, this Samsung drive is a fierce contender.
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Key Features:
- Near-max PCIe 4.0 performance with read/write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s.
- Over 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO.
- Ultra-slim integrated heatsink designed to prevent performance issues from heat.
- Available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB.
- Made with PS5 compatibility in mind, adhering to PCI-SIG D8 standard.
- Ideal for heavy computing, gaming, video editing, and data analysis.
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Pros:
- Industry-leading read and write speeds for unmatched performance.
- Exceptional random performance, crucial for gaming.
- Highly effective, low-profile heatsink.
- Samsung’s reputation for reliability and quality.
- Specifically engineered for PS5 compatibility.
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Cons:
- Often comes at a premium price point compared to some competitors.
- Not a Lexar brand, but a strong alternative.
User Impressions: Reviewers consistently laud the Samsung 990 PRO for its unparalleled speed and consistent performance. PS5 users particularly appreciate how effortlessly it handles even the most demanding games, noting significantly reduced load times and a completely stable experience thanks to the efficient heatsink.
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State
Rounding out our list of top-tier drives, the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe SSD is another powerhouse that delivers exceptional gaming performance. Western Digital’s “Black” series is synonymous with high-end gaming, and the SN850X lives up to that reputation with insane speeds and features designed specifically for gamers. The optional heatsink version ensures that even during the most intense gaming sessions, your drive stays cool and performs at its best. It’s a fantastic alternative for those seeking robust performance and gaming-centric features.
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Key Features:
- Top-tier performance with speeds up to 7,300 MB/s.
- 2TB capacity built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND.
- Optional heatsink version available to maintain peak performance.
- Downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) for drive health monitoring and RGB customization (heatsink versions only).
- Future-forward features: Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, Adaptive Thermal Management (ATM).
- Compatible with PS5.
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Pros:
- Ridiculously fast speeds for quick loading and smooth gameplay.
- Purpose-built for gaming, with features like Game Mode 2.0.
- Heatsink option ensures stable performance under load.
- Reputable Western Digital brand quality.
- Ample 2TB storage for a growing game library.
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Cons:
- RGB customization is a PC-only feature.
- Not a Lexar brand, but a high-performance alternative.
User Impressions: Gamers absolutely rave about the SN850X’s speed and reliability. Many comment on how it transformed their PS5’s performance, eliminating stuttering and dramatically cutting down load times. The heatsink is frequently praised for its effectiveness in heavy use, ensuring a consistently smooth gaming experience.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your PS5 SSD
When it comes to picking the Lexar best SSD with heatsink for PS5 (or a top-tier alternative), you really can’t go wrong with any of the drives we’ve reviewed. Each offers incredible speed, robust performance, and that all-important heatsink to keep your PS5 running smoothly.
Lexar’s offerings, like the Play SSD and the NM790 series, provide excellent value and performance tailored for modern gaming. The 4TB Play SSD is a monster for storage junkies, while the 1TB and 2TB NM790 drives hit the sweet spot for most users, balancing capacity and cost. Samsung and WD_BLACK also offer exceptional performance if you’re open to other leading brands.
Consider your budget, how much storage you truly need, and whether additional features (like specific power efficiency or monitoring software) appeal to you. No matter which you choose, upgrading your PS5 with one of these SSDs will undoubtedly elevate your gaming experience to the next level!
FAQ Section
Q1: Why do I need an SSD with a heatsink for my PS5?
A: Sony officially recommends using an M.2 NVMe SSD with a heatsink for the PS5. This is because the PS5’s internal environment can get warm, and a heatsink helps dissipate heat from the SSD, preventing thermal throttling, maintaining optimal performance, and extending the drive’s lifespan during intense gaming sessions.
Q2: What is “PCIe Gen 4” and why is it important for PS5 SSDs?
A: PCIe Gen 4 refers to the fourth generation of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface, which provides faster data transfer speeds than previous generations (like PCIe Gen 3). The PS5 requires a Gen 4 NVMe SSD with a minimum read speed of 5,500 MB/s to function optimally, ensuring games load quickly and efficiently.
Q3: How much storage (TB) do I really need for my PS5 SSD?
A: This depends on your gaming habits.
* 1TB: Good for a decent selection of AAA titles and many smaller games. A common starting point.
* 2TB: The sweet spot for most gamers, allowing for a large library of big games without constant deletion.
* 4TB+: Ideal for avid collectors, digital-only gamers, or those who want to install nearly everything without ever worrying about space.
Q4: Is it difficult to install an M.2 SSD into a PS5?
A: No, it’s a relatively straightforward process. Sony has designed the PS5 with an accessible M.2 expansion slot. You’ll need a Philips head screwdriver, and the PS5 user manual (or many online video guides) can walk you through the steps, which involve removing the console’s side plate, unscrewing a cover, inserting the SSD, and then securing it.
Q5: Can I use any NVMe SSD with my PS5?
A: Not just any. Your NVMe SSD must meet specific requirements:
* Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD.
* Capacity: 250 GB to 8 TB.
* Sequential Read Speed: 5,500 MB/s or faster.
* Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110.
* Heatsink: Required, either integrated or purchased separately.
Q6: What’s the difference between TBW and MB/s?
A:
* TBW (Terabytes Written): This is an endurance rating for SSDs, indicating the total amount of data that can be written to the drive over its lifetime before it’s expected to fail. Higher TBW means longer durability.
* MB/s (Megabytes per second): This measures the speed at which data can be read from or written to the SSD. For PS5, faster MB/s (especially read speeds) means quicker game loading and smoother performance.
Q7: Will installing an SSD void my PS5’s warranty?
A: No, installing a compatible M.2 SSD in your PS5, provided you follow Sony’s official instructions, will not void your console’s warranty. It’s a supported and intended feature of the console.