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Yes—the Samsung 980 Pro can expand a PS5 when you buy the PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 version, install effective cooling, and stay within Sony’s physical limits. The bare 980 Pro needs a separate PS5-compatible heatsink; a heatsink-equipped retail model still has to fit the expansion bay. Samsung rates the drive for sequential reads up to 7,000 MB/s, above Sony’s recommended 5,500 MB/s, but PC benchmark numbers do not guarantee identical game-loading results on every PS5 title.
This guide identifies the correct model, covers original PS5, Slim and PS5 Pro installation, explains formatting and game transfers, and shows when a newer drive is better value.
Is the Samsung 980 Pro compatible with PS5?
Compatibility depends on the exact specification, not simply the words “M.2” or “Samsung 980.” Sony’s current requirements and the 980 Pro’s relevant specifications line up as follows:
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|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, Key M | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
| Form factor | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 | M.2 2280 |
| Capacity | 250GB–8TB on current support documentation | Commonly 1TB and 2TB listings |
| Recommended sequential read | 5,500 MB/s or faster | Up to 7,000 MB/s |
| Cooling | Effective heat dissipation required | Separate heatsink required for the bare model |
| Maximum size with cooling | 25mm wide, 110mm long, 11.25mm thick total | Drive is 80mm long; heatsink dimensions must be checked |
See Sony’s complete compatibility and installation requirements at PlayStation Support and Samsung’s specifications for the 980 Pro. Sony describes 5,500 MB/s as a recommendation, not a promise that every qualifying drive performs exactly like the console’s internal SSD.
#1 Best Overall
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Do not confuse the 980 and 980 Pro
- 980 Pro: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe and the relevant product family.
- 980: A different PCIe 3.0 product; it is not the same drive for this expansion slot.
- Bare 980 Pro: Requires a separate compatible heatsink.
- 980 Pro with heatsink: Verify the complete assembled dimensions and exact SKU before buying.
Which 980 Pro should you buy?
Choose capacity by total cost
- 1TB: A useful addition for a smaller library, but compare its price with 2TB models.
- 2TB: Usually the practical target for several large PS5 games.
- 4TB or more: Sony supports higher-capacity expansion drives generally, but do not assume the 980 Pro itself is sold in those capacities. Confirm the model number and usable capacity.
Samsung’s US 1TB and 2TB pages showed out-of-stock status in the August 18, 2026 snapshot, with displayed prices of $154.99 and $129.99 respectively. That unusual relationship is not a dependable market price; stock and pricing vary by region, retailer and date. Check the 1TB listing and 2TB listing for the current SKU.
Bare drive versus integrated heatsink
A bare drive needs a heatsink with thermal pads that supports M.2 2280, leaves the retaining screw accessible, and keeps the complete assembly within Sony’s 25mm width, 110mm length and 11.25mm thickness limits. Never force the expansion cover closed.
Samsung’s documented heatsink-equipped 980 Pro measures approximately 80.15mm × 25mm × 8.88mm, within Sony’s published limits, but confirm the exact retail model: Samsung 980 Pro heatsink datasheet.
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When a used drive is risky
Buy used only when the exact PCIe 4.0 NVMe model, health, remaining warranty and firmware history are clear. A listing that says only “Samsung 980” or omits heatsink dimensions is not enough.
Rank #2
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
What you need before opening the console
- Compatible 980 Pro M.2 2280 SSD.
- PS5-sized heatsink if the SSD is bare.
- #1 Phillips or cross-head screwdriver.
- Flat, well-lit table and a soft cloth.
- Small flashlight, optional.
- Current PS5 system software.
Update the console using Sony’s system-software guidance. Shut down through the Power menu, unplug every cable, wait for the console to cool, and touch grounded metal before handling the SSD. Do not power on or play with the cover removed. If the SSD contains data, back it up: first-use formatting erases it.
Install the 980 Pro in an original PS5 (CFI-1000)
- Remove the base.
- Place the console with the PlayStation logo down and the power button toward you.
- Use Sony’s lift-and-slide procedure to remove the outer cover.
- Remove the expansion-slot cover.
- Remove the retaining screw and spacer.
- Move the spacer to the position marked 80 for an M.2 2280 drive.
- Hold the SSD by its edges, align the notch with the connector, and insert it diagonally upward until fully seated.
- Press the drive down onto the spacer and secure it with the retaining screw. Do not overtighten.
- Replace the expansion-slot cover, outer cover and base.
- Reconnect cables, power on, and follow the formatting prompt.
An improperly inserted SSD can damage the connector or console. Use Sony’s model-specific installation illustrations rather than photographs for another PS5 revision.
Install it in a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro (CFI-2000/CFI-7000)
- Place the console on a soft cloth with the correct side facing upward.
- Remove the applicable triangular cover.
- Remove the expansion-slot screw and cover.
- Remove the retaining screw and spacer, then put the spacer at 80.
- Insert the 980 Pro diagonally with its notch aligned to the connector.
- Press it flat onto the spacer and secure it with the screw.
- Replace the expansion-slot cover and triangular cover, then reattach feet or base as applicable.
- Reconnect cables, start the console and complete formatting.
Sony groups CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 instructions separately from CFI-1000 hardware. Check the model number printed on your console before removing a cover. If the bay cover will not close, the heatsink is too large or incorrectly installed.
Format and verify the new storage
The PS5 formats a detected M.2 SSD itself; you do not need to partition it on a computer. Formatting is destructive, so existing files cannot be recovered through that process. Do not turn off the console while formatting or saving data.
Rank #3
- BLAZING SPEED. COOL VICTORY: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 with Heatsink SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds and Heatsink for improved temperature control
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND**: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s* you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0*** powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- MADE w/ PS5 IN MIND: Ultra-slim Integrated Heatsink is designed to dissipate heat from your device to stabilize its temperature and prevent performance issues; It’s compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCI-SIG D8 standard desktops and laptops****
- Accept the on-screen formatting guide after startup.
- Open Settings and then Storage.
- Select the M.2 SSD section and confirm usable capacity and free space.
- Choose the preferred installation location if that option is available on your system software.
Menu wording can change with updates, but the storage-management workflow remains the same. Sony says a drive moved between two PS5 consoles does not need to be formatted again.
Move and play games from the 980 Pro
The M.2 SSD can download, copy and launch PS5 and PS4 games, and can store media apps. In the Game Library, highlight a game, press Options, choose the move or copy command, select the destination, and confirm.
| Storage | Play PS5 games directly? | Play PS4 games directly? | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal PS5 SSD | Yes | Yes | Original console storage |
| Internal M.2 SSD | Yes | Yes | Fast permanent expansion |
| USB extended storage | No; copy back first | Yes | Archive, portability and lower-cost capacity |
Sony documents these rules in its storage solutions guide and PS5 support hub.
What performance should you expect?
Likely benefits
- More installed-game capacity.
- Fast loading compared with a conventional external hard drive.
- Direct launching of PS5 games from expansion storage.
- Less deleting and redownloading.
- Faster transfers than USB hard-drive storage.
Limits of the advertised number
Samsung’s up-to-7,000 MB/s sequential-read and, for the 1TB model, up-to-5,000 MB/s sequential-write figures are manufacturer specifications measured under stated conditions. They are not guaranteed PS5 speeds. Game loading also depends on engine design, compression, CPU work and access patterns. The SSD cannot increase CPU or GPU performance, guarantee higher frame rates, or shorten every loading screen. Sony notes that qualifying M.2 drives may not perform identically in every game.
Rank #4
- BLAZING SPEED. COOL VICTORY: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 with Heatsink SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds and Heatsink for improved temperature control
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND**: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s* you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0*** powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- MADE w/ PS5 IN MIND: Ultra-slim Integrated Heatsink is designed to dissipate heat from your device to stabilize its temperature and prevent performance issues; It’s compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCI-SIG D8 standard desktops and laptops****
Troubleshooting
PS5 does not detect the SSD
- Confirm the exact drive is PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe, not SATA, PCIe 3.0 or the non-Pro 980.
- Shut down completely, unplug the console and let it cool.
- Reopen the bay and verify the spacer is at 80.
- Reseat the SSD diagonally until fully inserted; ensure it lies flat on the spacer.
- Check the retaining screw and make sure the heatsink is not blocking insertion.
- Reassemble and restart. If possible, test another compatible SSD to separate drive and console faults.
The formatting prompt is missing
Use the same shutdown and reseating procedure. An outdated system, incompatible model, incomplete insertion or an obstructing heatsink can prevent detection. Do not repeatedly force power cycles or format the drive on a PC as a first remedy.
The expansion cover will not close
Remove the drive and inspect the cooling assembly. Sony treats an uncloseable cover as evidence that the cooling structure exceeds the permitted dimensions.
A game performs poorly from M.2 storage
Move that game to the internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, as Sony recommends, and check whether the issue follows the game or the expansion drive.
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Back up anything important before installation. Initial PS5 formatting erases the contents and cannot be undone through the console.
Best Value
- Next-level SSD performance: Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for next-level computing. 980 PRO delivers 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0, while maintaining compatibility with PCIe 3.0.
- Maximum Speed: Get read speeds up to 7,000 MB s with 980 PRO and push the limits of what SSDs can do. Powered by a new Elpsis controller designed to harmonize the flash memory components and the interface for superior speed – with a PCIe 4.0 interface that’s 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 SSDs and 12x faster than Samsung SATA SSDs – every component of this NVMe SSD is manufactured by Samsung for performance that lasts.
- A winning combination: Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, the 980 PRO offers high-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more. It's fast at loading games, so you can play more and wait less.
- Efficient M.2 SSD: The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor, which can be easily plugged into desktops and laptops. Due to its size and thus optimized power efficiency, it’s ideal for building high-performance computing systems.
- Reliable thermal control: High-performance SSDs usually require high-performance thermal control. To ensure stable performance, the 980 PRO uses nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level and a heat spreader label to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip.
Is the 980 Pro still worth buying?
The 980 Pro is a sensible choice when you already own one, can buy it substantially below current alternatives, or can add a compliant heatsink cheaply. Compare the complete installed cost—not just the bare SSD price—with a newer drive that includes cooling.
Samsung’s newer 990 PRO with heatsink is marketed for PS5 and advertises up to 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write. Those higher PC figures may not produce a dramatic game-loading difference; its practical advantages are newer availability and simpler installation. Samsung US displayed $339.99 for 1TB, $669.99 for 2TB and $1,139.99 for 4TB on August 18, 2026, but those prices are date- and region-specific.
Sony does not require Samsung branding. A cheaper PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 drive is a better value if it meets the speed recommendation, capacity and dimensional limits and includes suitable cooling. For archival capacity, an external USB SSD such as products in Samsung’s gaming SSD range can store PS5 games for transfer, while PS4 games can run directly from compatible USB extended storage.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Use or buy the Samsung 980 Pro when the exact PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 model is attractively priced and properly cooled. If a bare 980 Pro plus heatsink costs as much as a current heatsink-equipped SSD, choose the newer, easier-to-source option instead.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
