How To Speed Up Downloads On Ps5 With M 2 Ssd Expansion Tips

The PlayStation 5 is designed for speed, but even the fastest console can feel sluggish when download times stretch into minutes or hours. While your internet connection plays a major role, the internal storage system — especially when expanded with an M.2 SSD — significantly impacts how quickly games install, update, and launch. Many users overlook the potential of their storage hardware to improve download performance. With the right M.2 SSD and proper configuration, you can dramatically reduce wait times and get back to gaming faster.

This guide walks through the technical and practical steps to optimize your PS5’s download speeds using an M.2 SSD expansion. From selecting the right drive to fine-tuning network and system settings, every detail counts. Whether you're upgrading from the base model's limited space or just want smoother performance, these strategies deliver measurable improvements.

Understanding PS5 Storage and Download Performance

The PS5 uses a custom NVMe SSD as its primary storage, capable of read speeds up to 5.5 GB/s. This high-speed architecture enables near-instant game loading and fast data streaming. However, download speed — the rate at which data comes from the internet — is often confused with installation speed, which refers to how quickly that downloaded data is written to storage.

When you download a game, two processes happen: first, data streams over your network; second, it’s written to your SSD. A slow or improperly configured M.2 drive can bottleneck the second phase, making downloads *appear* slower even if your internet is fast. This is why choosing a compatible, high-performance M.2 SSD isn’t just about capacity — it directly affects how quickly your downloads complete and become playable.

“Many users blame their ISP for slow downloads, but the real culprit is often subpar SSD write performance during installation.” — Alex Tran, Senior Console Hardware Analyst at GameTech Insights

Sony specifies strict requirements for M.2 SSDs used in the PS5. Drives must support PCIe Gen4 x4 and offer sequential read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s. Using a drive below this threshold may work, but it risks throttling performance and increasing installation times.

Choosing the Right M.2 SSD for Optimal Speed

Not all NVMe SSDs are created equal. To maximize download and installation speeds on your PS5, select a drive that meets or exceeds Sony’s official specifications. Below is a comparison of top-performing M.2 SSDs known for compatibility and sustained write performance.

SSD Model	Read Speed (MB/s)	Write Speed (MB/s)	PS5 Compatibility	Thermal Pad Included
Seagate FireCuda 530	7,300	6,900	Yes	Yes
Samsung 980 Pro (with heatsink)	7,000	5,100	Yes	No (add-on required)
WD Black SN850X	7,300	6,600	Yes	No (heatsink optional)
Crucial T500	7,400	7,000	Yes (newer firmware)	Yes
Kioxia Exceria Pro	6,900	6,000	Yes	No

Look for drives labeled as “PS5-compatible” or confirmed by Sony’s support documentation. The physical size also matters: the SSD must be between 2230 and 2280 in length and no thicker than 11.25 mm. Additionally, ensure your chosen model includes or allows for a heatsink — thermal throttling can reduce write speeds over time, especially during large installations.

Tip: Always install a thermal pad or heatsink. The PS5’s internal bay has limited airflow, and overheating causes performance drops.

Step-by-Step Installation and Optimization Process

Installing an M.2 SSD correctly ensures stable, high-speed performance. Follow this sequence to avoid errors and maximize efficiency.

1. Power down and unplug the PS5. Never open the console while powered.
2. Remove the side panel by sliding it off gently after loosening the screw at the back.
3. Locate the M.2 cover on the front edge of the chassis and remove the single screw securing it.
4. Insert the SSD at a 30-degree angle into the slot, ensuring the gold contacts align properly.
5. Secure the drive with the mounting screw — do not overtighten.
6. Attach the heatsink or thermal pad if not pre-installed.
7. Reattach the cover and side panel.
8. Power on the PS5 and navigate to Settings > Storage > M.2 SSD Storage.
9. Format the drive through the system menu to make it usable.

After installation, go to Settings > System > Software and check for updates. New firmware versions often include SSD performance improvements and better power management.

To set the new SSD as your default installation location, go to Settings > Storage > Storage Management > Default Storage Location and select “M.2 SSD.” This ensures all future downloads install directly onto the faster drive, minimizing transfer steps.

Network and System Tweaks to Accelerate Downloads

An ultra-fast SSD won’t help if your network can’t feed it data efficiently. Combine hardware upgrades with software optimizations for best results.

• Use a wired Ethernet connection. Wi-Fi introduces latency and packet loss. Connect via Cat 6 cable for maximum throughput.
• Set a static IP address for your PS5 to prevent DHCP delays during long downloads.
• Enable UPnP or port forwarding on your router (ports 80, 443, 1935, 3478–3480).
• Limit background devices. Streaming devices, phones, and laptops consuming bandwidth will slow your PS5.
• Download during off-peak hours. ISPs often throttle heavy users; late-night downloads typically run faster.

In addition, adjust PS5 settings to prioritize downloads:

1. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
2. Choose your connection and select “Advanced Settings.”
3. Set DNS to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) for faster domain resolution.
4. Enable “Automatic MTU” or manually test values between 1400–1500 for optimal packet size.

Tip: Pause and resume a stalled download to force the PS5 to re-establish a clean connection with Sony’s servers.

Real-World Example: Reducing a 45-Minute Download to 28 Minutes

Consider Mark, a PS5 owner in Austin, Texas, with a 150 Mbps fiber connection. He frequently downloaded games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (85 GB), which took around 45 minutes using the internal SSD alone. After researching bottlenecks, he upgraded to a WD Black SN850X 1TB M.2 SSD with a heatsink.

He followed the installation steps carefully, formatted the drive, and set it as his default storage. He also switched from Wi-Fi to a direct Ethernet connection and updated his DNS settings. His next full-game download completed in just 28 minutes — a 38% improvement.

Mark noted that the most significant gains came not just from the SSD itself, but from eliminating the transfer step. Previously, he’d download to internal storage, then move the game to an external HDD for space management. Now, everything installs directly to the high-speed M.2 drive, removing intermediate waits.

Common Mistakes That Slow Down Your PS5 Downloads

Even with premium hardware, poor practices can negate performance gains. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Using PCIe Gen3 SSDs — they max out at ~3,500 MB/s, creating a bottleneck.
• Ignoring thermal management — without a heatsink, drives throttle under load.
• Leaving downloads running overnight on Wi-Fi — signal drops cause retries and pauses.
• Storing games on external USB drives — HDDs are too slow for PS5 titles; only use them for PS4 backward-compatible games.
• Running multiple downloads simultaneously — PS5 doesn’t handle concurrent installs well; queue them instead.

“The difference between a well-configured PS5 and a poorly optimized one can be 20 minutes per game. It’s not magic — it’s smart setup.” — Lena Park, Console Performance Engineer

Checklist: Maximize PS5 Download Speeds in 10 Steps

Follow this concise checklist to ensure peak performance:

1. ✅ Confirm your internet speed meets or exceeds 100 Mbps.
2. ✅ Choose a PS5-compatible M.2 SSD with ≥5,500 MB/s read speed.
3. ✅ Install a heatsink or apply a thermal pad to the SSD.
4. ✅ Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi.
5. ✅ Format the M.2 SSD through PS5 settings.
6. ✅ Set the M.2 SSD as the default installation location.
7. ✅ Update PS5 system software to the latest version.
8. ✅ Change DNS to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 for faster lookups.
9. ✅ Close background apps and limit other network traffic.
10. ✅ Download large games during low-usage hours (e.g., 2–5 AM).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any M.2 SSD be used in the PS5?

No. Only NVMe SSDs with PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, sequential read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s, and physical dimensions between 2230 and 2280 mm are supported. Drives outside these specs may not function or could cause instability.

Does adding an M.2 SSD improve download speed directly?

Not the internet download phase, but it dramatically improves installation speed — the process of writing downloaded data to storage. This reduces total time from “download started” to “ready to play.”

Why does my download pause or slow down halfway?

This often happens due to thermal throttling, network congestion, or server-side limitations. Ensure your SSD has proper cooling, use Ethernet, and avoid peak usage times. Restarting the router or pausing/resuming the download can also help.

Conclusion: Turn Wait Time Into Play Time

Your PS5 is capable of lightning-fast performance — but only if every component works in harmony. By installing a high-speed M.2 SSD that meets Sony’s specifications and pairing it with optimized network settings, you eliminate unnecessary delays and reclaim valuable gaming time. The difference isn't just technical — it's experiential. No more staring at progress bars, no more juggling storage spaces. Just seamless access to the games you love.

Don’t accept slow downloads as inevitable. Take control of your setup, follow the steps outlined here, and experience what the PS5 was truly designed to deliver: speed, responsiveness, and uninterrupted play.

🚀 Ready to upgrade your PS5 experience? Pick a compatible M.2 SSD today, install it with confidence, and feel the difference from your very next download.