Buying Guide
The Best Internal SSDs for PS5
Five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, where the NM790 1TB heatsink has the fastest rated read speed; the P310 1TB heatsink is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The PS5 needs a Gen4 drive of 5,500MB/s or more with a heatsink. Every pick meets that, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh sequential read, sequential write and interface as the makers state them; if a maker skips sequential write, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5)The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 1TB heatsink.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Lexar NM790 1TB with HeatsinkThe fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial T500 1TB with Heatsink (PS5)A heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Best for: Buyers who want heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Check price for Crucial T500 1TB with Heatsink (PS5) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with HeatsinkHigh-density 3D TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
WD_Black SN850X 1TB with HeatsinkThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs.
Check price for WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5)
The P310 1TB heatsink is built around a heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 7,100MB/s rated read speed ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the NM790 1TB heatsink (7,400MB/s) and ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB (7,000MB/s). It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. It undercut the NM790 1TB heatsink and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Heatsink for PlayStation 5
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB
- The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 1TB heatsink
Cons
- No published rated write speed
The catch
The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the NM790 1TB heatsink offers 6,500MB/s.
Fastest Rated Read Speed2 of 5
Lexar NM790 1TB with Heatsink
What the NM790 1TB heatsink brings to the table is a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the P310 1TB heatsink was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,400MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,500MB/s rated write speed. Its 7,400MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the T500 1TB heatsink comes next at 7,300MB/s. On rated write speed it ties with the MP600 Elite 1TB at 6,500MB/s.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. Its price falls between the P310 1TB heatsink and the T500 1TB heatsink, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,400MB/s)
- Rated write speed of 6,500MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 1TB heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the P310 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Crucial T500 1TB with Heatsink (PS5)
The T500 1TB heatsink stands out for a heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Best for
- Buyers who want heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Skip if
- The maker gives no rated write speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot.
Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. Its price falls between the NM790 1TB heatsink and the MP600 Elite 1TB, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed rated write speed should compare it with the NM790 1TB heatsink, which offers 6,500MB/s.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Heatsink for PlayStation 5
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the P310 1TB heatsink
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the P310 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink
The MP600 Elite 1TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes on TLC NAND, with a heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the NM790 1TB heatsink offers 7,400MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,000MB/s, while the NM790 1TB heatsink offers 7,400MB/s. It matches the NM790 1TB heatsink on rated write speed (6,500MB/s). You also get high-density 3D TLC NAND and a heatsink version listed for PS5.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. It was priced above the T500 1TB heatsink and below the SN850X 1TB heatsink at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Heatsink version listed for PS5
- Rated write speed of 6,500MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 1TB heatsink
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the NM790 1TB heatsink (7,400MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on rated read speed, where the NM790 1TB heatsink offers 7,400MB/s.
Premium Pick5 of 5
WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink
What the SN850X 1TB heatsink brings to the table is a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the NM790 1TB heatsink offers 6,500MB/s.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,300MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it ties with the T500 1TB heatsink at 7,300MB/s. Its 6,300MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the NM790 1TB heatsink leads at 6,500MB/s.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MP600 Elite 1TB the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the P310 1TB heatsink
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the NM790 1TB heatsink (6,500MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
The catch
Rated write speed is its weakest area, and the NM790 1TB heatsink covers it better at 6,500MB/s.
How We Chose These Internal SSDs for PS5
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and heatsink, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and rated write speed is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the P310 1TB heatsink to the SN850X 1TB heatsink, state rated read speed, interface and heatsink and share PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and heatsink.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The P310 1TB heatsink and the T500 1TB heatsink give no rated write speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the P310 1TB heatsink ($150 to $250) to the SN850X 1TB heatsink ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an Internal SSD for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
Across these 5 picks rated read speed spans 7,000MB/s (the MP600 Elite 1TB) to 7,400MB/s (the NM790 1TB heatsink). Start with the NM790 1TB heatsink if rated read speed decides it.
Rated write speed
The NM790 1TB heatsink tops rated write speed at 6,500MB/s and the SN850X 1TB heatsink sits lowest at 6,300MB/s; 2 picks share the top figure. If rated write speed is your first filter, the NM790 1TB heatsink sets the ceiling at 6,500MB/s. The P310 1TB heatsink and the T500 1TB heatsink give no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD installed in a laptop Heatsink
The P310 1TB heatsink, the NM790 1TB heatsink, the T500 1TB heatsink, the MP600 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink have it.
Extras that separate them
The P310 1TB heatsink: a heatsink for PlayStation 5. The NM790 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The MP600 Elite 1TB: a heatsink version listed for PS5.
The M.2 standoff position marked on a Gigabyte motherboard Budget
$150 to $250 buys the P310 1TB heatsink, the NM790 1TB heatsink and the T500 1TB heatsink; $250 to $500 buys the MP600 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink at our last check.
How to Choose an Internal SSD for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $250 | P310 1TB heatsink | The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 1TB heatsink |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | NM790 1TB heatsink | The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s) |
| Buyers who want heatsink for PlayStation 5 | T500 1TB heatsink | A heatsink for PlayStation 5 |
| Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND | MP600 Elite 1TB | High-density 3D TLC NAND |
| Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs | SN850X 1TB heatsink | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NM790 1TB heatsink leads on rated read speed at 7,400MB/s, ahead of the T500 1TB heatsink at 7,300MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the P310 1TB heatsink and the T500 1TB heatsink leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P310 1TB heatsink | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| NM790 1TB heatsink | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| T500 1TB heatsink | 7,300MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| MP600 Elite 1TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| SN850X 1TB heatsink | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The P310 1TB heatsink was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the SN850X 1TB heatsink the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | P310 1TB heatsink, NM790 1TB heatsink, T500 1TB heatsink |
| About $250 to $500 | MP600 Elite 1TB, SN850X 1TB heatsink |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NM790 1TB heatsink ahead of the T500 1TB heatsink on rated read speed?
The NM790 1TB heatsink leads at 7,400MB/s, with the T500 1TB heatsink at 7,300MB/s. The MP600 Elite 1TB closes the ranking at 7,000MB/s.
What does the SN850X 1TB heatsink add over the P310 1TB heatsink?
What it brings is rated read speed (7,300MB/s against 7,100MB/s). On our last price check the P310 1TB heatsink was in the $150 to $250 tier and the SN850X 1TB heatsink in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the NM790 1TB heatsink our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It carries the badge for the fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the T500 1TB heatsink, 7,400MB/s against 7,300MB/s, a 1% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
What extras do the P310 1TB heatsink and the NM790 1TB heatsink include?
The P310 1TB heatsink: a heatsink for PlayStation 5. The NM790 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The T500 1TB heatsink: a heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Who should choose the P310 1TB heatsink?
The P310 1TB heatsink carries our Lowest Price Here label for the cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 1TB heatsink. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits keeping the cost under $250.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the P310 1TB heatsink, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 1TB heatsink. Look at the NM790 1TB heatsink for the fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s), the T500 1TB heatsink for a heatsink for PlayStation 5 and the MP600 Elite 1TB for high-density 3D TLC NAND if those matter more to you.
Update the PS5 firmware before installing.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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