Setup guide
PS5 Storage Upgrade Guide for Saudi Arabia
How to add storage to a PS5 in Saudi Arabia: M.2 SSD requirements, heatsinks, external drives, install steps and how much space you actually need.
The PS5 ships with 825GB or 1TB, and after the system reserve you get far less. Two or three modern games plus a live-service shooter will fill it. Here is the practical upgrade path.
Internal M.2 SSD — the real upgrade
- Type: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe (Gen3 drives are not supported).
- Speed: 5,500MB/s sequential read or faster.
- Size: 250GB to 8TB, M.2 2280 is the common fit.
- Cooling: a heatsink is required — buy a drive that includes one.
- PS5 games run directly from it at full speed, no copying needed.
External USB drive — the cheap option
An external USB drive can run PS4 games directly and store PS5 games, but PS5 titles must be moved back to internal storage before they will launch. It is archive space, not play space — and it costs a fraction of an M.2 drive.
Install steps
- Power off fully and unplug everything; wait a few minutes for the console to cool.
- Remove the side cover and unscrew the expansion slot cover.
- Slide the SSD in at an angle, press flat and secure the screw at the correct length marker.
- Refit the covers, power on and follow the on-screen format prompt.
- Set the SSD as the default install location under Settings → Storage.
How much space do you need?
1TB is the sweet spot for most players: roughly 8–12 modern games. Go 2TB if you keep several live-service shooters installed at once, since those grow past 200GB with updates.
Frequently asked questions
Does adding an SSD void the PS5 warranty?
No. Sony designed the M.2 expansion bay to be user-accessible, and installing a compatible drive does not void the warranty as long as you do not damage the console.
Can I play PS5 games from an external hard drive?
No. PS5 games can be stored on an external USB drive but must be copied back to internal or M.2 storage to run. PS4 games play directly from external drives.
Do I need the heatsink?
Yes. Sony requires effective cooling on the expansion drive. Buy an SSD that ships with a heatsink pre-installed and confirm it fits the 8mm height limit.
