Playstation 5: New firmware version unlocks M.2 slot

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Sony is testing a firmware update for the Playstation 5 that finally gives the M.2 slot in the game console a function: Participants in the beta program can now increase the storage space of their game console for the first time. A future software update should make the possibility of memory expansion available to all users of the PS5.

All Playstation 5 models have a slot for M.2 cards under the right side panel. So far, this slot was simply useless: SSDs plugged into it prevented the Sony game console from starting correctly. In the test by heise online, the console booted with the M.2 SSD inserted (Samsung’s SSD 980 Pro), but then refused the service with the message that the additional SSD should be removed.

You can register for the beta program on Sony’s website. Germans can also participate – a PS5 is required. You must be over 18 years of age to be eligible for the beta program. You should also commit to giving Sony feedback on new features.

Sony had always emphasized that the functionality for the M.2 slot should be submitted later. Not every SSD can be used, however: Sony requires PCIe Gen4 storage media with transfer speeds of 5.5 GByte / s that can keep up with the built-in memory. The company also recommends operating SSDs with a heat sink only. Sony gives one on its US website Overview of the other requirements that an SSD must meetto work with the PS5.

The Playstation 5 comes with 825 GB of NAND flash memory, of which only 695 GB can be used for games and other files. So more than a handful of modern blockbuster titles cannot be installed on one console at the same time. Since April, games can also be stored on external storage media – but only for safekeeping, they cannot be started from there.

In contrast to Sony, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X uses a proprietary slot for memory expansion that was developed jointly with Seagate. The selection of memory cards is correspondingly small, there is only a 1 TB model from Seagate. The Series X system has one advantage over the PS5: There was already the option of expanding the memory at the launch.

(dahe)