Do I Need a New External Hard Drive for PS5? A Deep Dive
The simple answer is: maybe. It depends on your gaming habits and what you want to use the external hard drive for. While you can’t play PS5 games directly from an external drive, it’s still a valuable addition for storing them and playing your PS4 games. Let’s break down why.
The PS5 leverages a lightning-fast internal SSD (Solid State Drive) that’s crucial for its next-gen performance. This SSD is so fast that current external drives, even SSDs, simply can’t keep up over a USB connection. Think of it like this: the PS5’s internal storage is a high-speed train, and external drives are cars. You can move things around in cars, but you can’t run the train off of them.
Therefore, if your primary goal is to expand your storage for PS5 games, an external drive serves as cold storage. You can archive games you’re not actively playing and quickly transfer them back to the internal SSD when you want to revisit them, saving you the hassle of redownloading them every time. However, if you want to play PS4 games on your PS5, an external hard drive is essential. You can play them directly off of the drive, freeing up valuable space on your internal SSD for PS5-exclusive titles.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your individual needs and budget. If you find yourself constantly deleting and redownloading games, an external hard drive is a worthwhile investment. If you primarily play a small selection of games or don’t mind the redownload process, you might not need one just yet. Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions about using external hard drives with your PS5.
Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?
No. The PS5’s architecture is designed to run PS5 games from its internal SSD or a compatible internal M.2 SSD. External drives, even SSDs, don’t offer the necessary speed to meet the game’s performance demands.
Can I store PS5 games on an external hard drive?
Yes! You can store PS5 games on a compatible external USB drive. This allows you to free up space on your internal SSD without deleting the games. You will need to transfer them back to the internal SSD to play them.
Can I play PS4 games from an external hard drive on my PS5?
Absolutely! You can play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive connected to your PS5. This is a great way to expand your game library without sacrificing space on your internal SSD.
What kind of external hard drive do I need for my PS5?
You’ll need an external hard drive that meets the following requirements:
- USB 3.0 or later: This is essential for sufficient data transfer speeds.
- 250 GB to 8 TB capacity: The PS5 supports external drives within this range.
- Formatted as exFAT or FAT32: The PS5 requires the drive to be formatted in one of these formats.
Is an external SSD better than an external HDD for PS5?
Yes, an external SSD (Solid State Drive) is generally better than an external HDD (Hard Disk Drive). While you still can’t play PS5 games directly from either, an SSD will offer significantly faster transfer speeds when moving games between the external drive and the internal SSD. This will save you considerable time in the long run.
Will an external hard drive make my PS5 run slower?
No, an external hard drive will not make your PS5 run slower, as long as you’re playing games that are installed directly on your internal storage. The internal SSD will run as efficiently as always.
How many games can a 1TB external hard drive hold for PS5?
It depends on the game sizes. PS5 games can range from 30GB to over 100GB. On average, a 1TB drive might hold anywhere from 8-25 PS5 game installs. It is important to note that you cannot play PS5 games from the external drive itself you will still need to copy them from the drive to internal storage.
How do I format an external hard drive for PS5?
You can format an external hard drive directly through the PS5’s settings:
- Go to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage.
- Select your external drive and choose Format as Extended Storage.
Important: Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so back up any important files before proceeding.
Why isn’t my external hard drive working on my PS5?
Several factors can cause this:
- Incorrect formatting: Ensure the drive is formatted as exFAT or FAT32.
- Poor connection: Check the USB connection. Try a different port.
- Drive incompatibility: While most USB 3.0 drives are compatible, some older or less common drives might not work.
- Drive failure: The drive itself might be faulty.
Can I use the same external hard drive I used for my PS4 on my PS5?
Yes! You can use the same external hard drive you used for your PS4 on your PS5. The PS5 will recognize the drive, and you can play PS4 games directly from it. Any PS4 games stored on the drive will be directly available.
Can I use two external hard drives on my PS5 at the same time?
No. The PS5 only supports one external storage device at a time.
Is it better to upgrade the internal SSD or use an external hard drive?
Upgrading the internal SSD provides the best performance boost for PS5 games because you can directly play games from the expanded internal storage. However, it’s also more expensive and requires installation. An external hard drive is a more affordable and convenient option for storing PS5 games and playing PS4 games.
How much faster is transferring games from an external SSD compared to an external HDD?
Transfer speeds vary depending on the specific drives, but an external SSD can be significantly faster. Expect transfer times to be at least twice as fast, and potentially even faster, compared to an external HDD.
Can I use an external hard drive to back up my PS5 game saves?
No, you can’t back up PS5 game saves to an external hard drive directly. Instead, you can back them up to the cloud via PlayStation Plus or to a USB drive formatted as exFAT or FAT32.
Are all USB 3.0 external hard drives compatible with the PS5?
While most USB 3.0 external hard drives are compatible with the PS5, there can be exceptions. Some older or less common drives may not be fully compatible. It’s always a good idea to check reviews and compatibility lists before purchasing a new drive. If you’re interested in learning more about the science of gaming and how it impacts our lives, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, whether or not you need a new external hard drive for your PS5 depends largely on your gaming habits. However, understanding its capabilities and limitations, as well as the benefits it offers, will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.