Buying Guide
The Best Internal SSDs for PS5
Three SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, where the Predator GM7 2TB has the fastest rated read speed; the MP600 Elite 1TB is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 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
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
A low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay.
Best for: Buyers who want low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Acer Predator GM7 2TB
The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Acer Predator GM7 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. | Buyers who want low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. | Check price for Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Acer Predator GM7 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP600 Elite 1TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes on TLC NAND, with a heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,000MB/s, while the Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/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 cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB the next step up.
Key dimensions & 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
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the Predator GM7 2TB (7,400MB/s)
Also Consider2 of 3
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Corsair's MP600 PRO LPX pairs a PCIe 4.0 drive with a low-profile heatsink sized to fit the PS5 bay as well as a desktop M.2 slot.
Best for
- Buyers who want low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its rated write speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It has 7,100MB/s reads. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s, and the MP600 Elite 1TB comes in at 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. If you want a confirmed rated write speed, look to the MP600 Elite 1TB instead: it offers 6,500MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed3 of 3
Acer Predator GM7 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads without onboard DRAM, relying on HMB.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MP600 Elite 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it leads this guide at 7,400MB/s, ahead of the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB (7,100MB/s). You also get listed PS5 compatibility and 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- HMB in place of onboard DRAM
- Listed PS5 compatibility
- 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,400MB/s)
Cons
- Costs more than the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Internal SSDs for PS5
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and heatsink, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the MP600 Elite 1TB to the Predator GM7 2TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB gives no rated write speed; the Predator GM7 2TB gives no heatsink.
- Price range
- From the MP600 Elite 1TB to the Predator GM7 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
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
Here rated read speed runs from 7,000MB/s on the MP600 Elite 1TB to 7,400MB/s on the Predator GM7 2TB. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB comes second for less money.
Capacity
The MP600 Elite 1TB and the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB list 1TB; the Predator GM7 2TB lists 2TB. Settle this first, then compare prices.
What to check at home
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.
Extras that separate them
The MP600 Elite 1TB: a heatsink version listed for PS5. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB: a low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. The Predator GM7 2TB: listed PS5 compatibility.
Budget
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the MP600 Elite 1TB at the low end to the Predator GM7 2TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Endurance is rarely a limit
TBW figures of 1,200 or more far exceed typical gaming writes. Heavy video work benefits from a higher rating.
How to Choose an Internal SSD for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | MP600 Elite 1TB | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay | MP600 PRO LPX 1TB | A low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Predator GM7 2TB | The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Predator GM7 2TB leads on rated read speed at 7,400MB/s, ahead of the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP600 Elite 1TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| MP600 PRO LPX 1TB | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| Predator GM7 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Predator GM7 2TB ahead of the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB on rated read speed?
The Predator GM7 2TB leads at 7,400MB/s, with the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB at 7,100MB/s. The MP600 Elite 1TB is at the other end of this group with 7,000MB/s.
What does the Predator GM7 2TB add over the MP600 Elite 1TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (7,400MB/s against 7,000MB/s). The MP600 Elite 1TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Predator GM7 2TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Does the MP600 Elite 1TB have heatsink, and which others do?
The MP600 Elite 1TB and the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB have it. The maker of the Predator GM7 2TB doesn't say.
Will the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 3.
What extras do the MP600 Elite 1TB and the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB include?
The MP600 Elite 1TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB: a low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. The Predator GM7 2TB: HMB in place of onboard DRAM.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP600 Elite 1TB, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB for a low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay and the Predator GM7 2TB for the fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Update the PS5 firmware before installing.