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How Many Games Can a 4TB Drive Hold on Your PlayStation 5? The Ultimate Storage Guide

So, you’re eyeing that shiny new 4TB SSD for your PlayStation 5. Excellent choice! But the burning question is: How many games can it actually hold? The short answer is, with a 4TB drive, you can realistically expect to store over 100 PS5 games, and even potentially more depending on the size of the individual games.

That’s a significant upgrade over the PS5’s internal storage, which can quickly become cramped with the increasingly large file sizes of modern games. Let’s dive deeper into why this number varies and explore everything you need to know about expanding your PS5’s storage.

Understanding Game Sizes and Storage Capacity

Before we get too excited about triple-digit game libraries, let’s talk about game sizes. While the article mentions an average of 40-50GB per game, that’s a broad generalization. Some titles, like sprawling open-world adventures, can easily exceed 100GB or even 200GB, particularly those demanding, high-resolution textures. Conversely, smaller indie titles might only take up a few gigabytes.

Here’s a breakdown to consider:

AAA Blockbusters: Think Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, or the latest Call of Duty. These games are storage hogs and often require 80GB to 200GB each.
Mid-Sized Games: Titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Returnal might clock in around 40GB to 70GB.
Indie Games: These can range from a few hundred megabytes to 10GB or 20GB, offering a lot of gaming bang for relatively little storage buck.

Therefore, the actual number of games you can fit on your 4TB drive depends heavily on your gaming habits. If you primarily play massive AAA titles, you might only fit 50-70 games. If you diversify your library with smaller indie games, you could easily exceed 120 titles.

Keep in mind that the usable storage is slightly less than 4TB. Operating systems and formatting reserve some space, so expect closer to 3.6TB or 3.7TB of accessible storage.

Why Expanding Your PS5 Storage is a Smart Move

The PS5’s internal storage, while fast, is limited. Here’s why investing in a 4TB SSD is a worthwhile upgrade:

Eliminate the Delete-and-Redownload Cycle: Constantly uninstalling games to make room for new ones is a hassle. A 4TB drive gives you the freedom to keep your entire library accessible.
Future-Proofing: Game sizes are only going to increase as graphics and world designs become more complex. Investing in a larger drive now saves you from having to upgrade again soon.
Convenience and Flexibility: You can store both PS5 and PS4 games on an external drive. PS4 games can even be played directly from the external drive, freeing up valuable internal storage for PS5-exclusive titles.

Choosing the Right 4TB SSD for Your PS5

Not all 4TB SSDs are created equal. When selecting a drive for your PS5, consider the following:

Compatibility: Ensure the drive meets Sony’s specifications for PS5 storage expansion. This includes PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, a compatible form factor (M.2 2280), and adequate read speeds (at least 5500MB/s).
Heatsink: A heatsink is highly recommended, especially for high-performance SSDs. It helps dissipate heat and prevent thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance during long gaming sessions. Some 4TB drives come with pre-installed heatsinks.
Read and Write Speeds: Faster read and write speeds translate to quicker game loading times and faster data transfer. Look for drives with speeds exceeding Sony’s minimum requirements.
Brand Reputation and Warranty: Choose a reputable brand with a good warranty to protect your investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is 4TB Good for PS5?

Absolutely! 4TB is a fantastic storage capacity for the PS5, especially for avid gamers with large libraries or those who plan to download a lot of games. It provides ample space to store a significant number of PS5 and PS4 titles, reducing the need to constantly delete and redownload games.

2. Will a 4TB Hard Drive Work on PS5?

A 4TB hard drive will work with the PS5, however only for storing PS4 games and archiving PS5 games. To play PS5 games directly from extended storage, you will need an internal NVMe SSD that meets Sony’s performance requirements. External hard drives can still store PS5 games but the data must be transferred to the PS5 internal drive to be played.

3. Is 4TB SSD Too Much for PS5?

For most gamers, 4TB is not too much for the PS5. It offers a comfortable amount of storage that eliminates the need to constantly manage storage space. However, if you primarily play a small number of games or prefer to stream rather than download, a smaller capacity drive might suffice.

4. How Many PS5 Games Can a TB Hold?

A 1TB drive can realistically hold around 10-15 PS5 games. This is just an estimate, as the actual number will vary depending on the size of individual games.

5. Is 1TB of Storage Enough for PS5?

1TB is generally considered the bare minimum for PS5 storage expansion. While it’s better than nothing, you’ll likely still need to manage your storage regularly, especially if you play many large AAA games.

6. Is 2TB Enough for PS5?

2TB is a solid choice for most PS5 gamers. It strikes a good balance between storage capacity and cost, allowing you to store a decent-sized library without breaking the bank. You will be able to store around 50 PS5 games on average with 2TB of storage.

7. Is 4TB Overkill for Gaming?

4TB is not overkill for serious gamers who want to future-proof their PS5 and avoid storage management headaches. It’s a worthwhile investment if you frequently download new games and want to keep your entire library readily accessible.

8. Should I Buy a 2TB or 4TB SSD for PS5?

The choice between a 2TB and 4TB SSD depends on your budget and storage needs. If you’re comfortable managing your storage and don’t mind deleting games occasionally, a 2TB drive may be sufficient. However, if you want maximum storage capacity and peace of mind, a 4TB drive is the better option.

9. Can I Put an 8TB SSD in PS5?

Currently, the PS5’s M.2 slot officially supports SSDs up to 4TB in size. While larger SSDs might physically fit, they are not officially supported by Sony, and compatibility issues may arise. Always check Sony’s website for the most up-to-date information.

10. How Long Will a 4TB SSD Last?

The lifespan of a 4TB SSD depends on usage patterns and the quality of the drive. However, with normal gaming usage, a high-quality SSD should easily last 5-7 years or more. Factors like the amount of data written to the drive (TBW – Terabytes Written) can impact its lifespan.

11. What Is the Best Size for the PS5?

This questions is not applicable. The PS5 has a standard fixed size. If you are asking about storage size, 4TB is an optimal size to greatly increase storage capacity, but you will need to purchase an internal SSD to add this extra storage.

12. Why Are 4TB Drives So Expensive?

4TB drives are more expensive due to the higher cost of manufacturing high-capacity flash memory chips. The technology required to pack more storage into a single chip is more complex and expensive to produce.

13. How Much RAM is Enough for High-End Gaming?

While RAM doesn’t directly impact PS5 game storage, it’s worth noting that 16GB of RAM is the current sweet spot for high-end PC gaming. 32GB is becoming increasingly common, especially for demanding games and multitasking. The PS5 uses 16GB of GDDR6 unified memory.

14. What’s the Fastest SSD for PS5?

The Samsung 990 Pro is often considered one of the fastest SSDs for the PS5, offering exceptional read and write speeds. However, other high-performance drives from reputable brands like Western Digital and Crucial are also excellent choices.

15. What Does a 4TB Game Drive Do for PS5?

A 4TB game drive expands your PS5’s storage capacity, allowing you to store more games, apps, and media. It eliminates the need to constantly delete and redownload content, providing a more seamless and convenient gaming experience. You can easily archive your PS5 games on the drive, or play PS4 games directly from the external drive, freeing up valuable internal storage for your PS5 exclusive titles.

Conclusion: 4TB – A Solid Investment for Serious Gamers

A 4TB SSD is a powerful upgrade for your PS5, offering a substantial increase in storage capacity and eliminating storage-related frustrations. While it’s an investment, the benefits of a larger game library, future-proofing, and overall convenience make it a worthwhile purchase for serious gamers. Remember to choose a compatible drive with a heatsink from a reputable brand to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

And as you explore the vast and ever-expanding world of video games, remember the power of games for learning and development. Check out Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover more about the educational potential of gaming.

How many games can 4TB hold PS5?