The Samsung 980 Pro is now the perfect SSD for PS5, but it’ll cost you
The Samsung 980 Pro ups its game on PS5
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One of thebest SSD for PS5is now better than ever. TheSamsung 980 Proused to require a manual heatsink before it could be used with aPS5console, but the manufacturer has now created a buying option that has the heatsink installed out of the box.
As reported byIGN, the lightning-fastSamsung980 Pro NVMe SSD can be bought directly fromSamsung, with options for both with and without a pre-installed heatsink. If you do opt for the pre-installed option, be prepared to pay a premium for the SSD, with the price bumped up to $249 for the 1TB model and $449 for the 2TB model. Currently, the heatsink-applied SSDs look to only be available in the US for now.
It’s also worth noting that the Samsung 980 Pro is only compatible withPCand PS5, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re shopping for an external storage solution thisBlack Friday.Xbox Series X/S owners will have to look for other options, including theSeagate Storage Expansion Card.
Analysis: A better storage option… if you can afford it
While we’re happy Samsung is now offering a risk-free way to install its 980 Pro NVMe SSD to PS5 consoles, even if the cost is slightly bumped up from the already expensive price tag of the base models. If you do have the money, but not the technical wherewithal to manually install your own heatsink over the SSD, then we’d say it’s a worthwhile investment for one of the best console SSDs around.
However, it couldn’t hurt to wait for a discount if you’d like to buy the 2TB SSD model. At $449, that’s almost the cost of the PS5 itself. Still, the high cost is understandable. A 2TB SSD isn’t something that’s just readily available, with smaller storage sizes like 500GB and 1TB being more common options.
On the plus side, the pre-installed heatsink models for the 980 Pro are only $20 more expensive than the non-heatsinked counterparts. So if you can afford either the 1TB or 2TB model, we’d certainly recommend opting for the heatsink versions. This minimizes the risk to both you and your PS5 console if you’re not technically savvy, and will allow you to install the SSD quicker and with much less hassle.
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Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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