Beta firmware update 2.0-04.00.00 is officially available to PlayStation 5 beta users, who can test out M.2 SSD support functionality that allows for expandable internal SSDs. This news accompanied Seagate's announcement about its first PS5-ready SSD expansion card, the FireCuda 530 which boasts quite the hefty price tag for its various versions.
Despite details regarding SSD storage expansion making the rounds months ahead of PS5's holiday 2020 rollout, the option itself wasn't ready to go at launch due to specific requirements. Owners of the new hardware from Sony were, thus, left to swap out games once the 665GB of available storage space filled up. Though external storage is possible, the many limitations left countless players patiently awaiting the M.2 SSD support. At least one such solution will come courtesy of Seagate as mentioned above, with the heatsink-featured 1TB SSD boasting a price tag of $274.99. Comparatively, Seagate's Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S launched for $220. Some PlayStation 5 players will know soon enough whether or not the expansion solution is worth the cost of entry.
Today's launch of the PS5 beta firmware update 2.0-04.00.00 allows testers to try out a slew of new features, chief among them being internal SSD storage expansion. PlayStation's support page for M.2 SSD functionality outlines exactly what users can expect, detailing how to install the SSD, how to remove it, and everything else in between. Because this is only the beta phase, final specifications may change prior to the full launch. And, of course, those who participate in the PlayStation beta will want to be mindful of M.2 SSD requirements for PS5 hardware. Only PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSDs are compatible, ranging in capacity from 250GB to 4TB. Read speeds must hit 5,500MB/s or faster and the module width can't go above 22mm. In addition, users will either need to attach their own heatsink to the expansion card or purchase a card with a built-in heatsink.
Unfortunately, there's no word on when such storage expansion will be made available for widespread consumer use. How long Sony plans to host the beta phase presently remains a mystery, as well. Thus, for the time being, the vast majority of PS5 owners will have to stick with swapping out games or utilizing PlayStation's external storage options.
Despite a few hiccups here and there, as well as stock limitations, the PS5 counts as nothing less than a runaway success for Sony. Just this week the platform holder boasted that 10 million consoles have been sold through to consumers since the November 2020 launch. Game sales aren't anything to scoff at either, with Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales moving 6.5 million units on PS4/PS5 and PS5 exclusives Returnal and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shifting 560,000 and 1.1 million copies, respectively.
Source: PlayStation