Slot m.2 para o SSD da PS5 será liberado para os utilizadores Beta.

Os utilizadores que testam os novos firmwares da Sony irão ter acesso à Slot M.2 da PS5 com a próxima atualização do firmware.

O website da PS5 recebeu uma atualização com instruções sobre como inserir e utilizar a Slot M.2 para SSDs da PS5.

Nessa página, que podem encontrar aqui, encontram instruções sobre como adicionar, remover e atuar em diversas situações relacionadas com a slot M.2 e eventuais SSDs ali adicionados.

A página é no entanto bem clara quando refere logo nos primeiros parágrafos “For beta users…”, seguido depois por “This feature is only available to beta users at this time. The internal M.2 SSD expansion feature will be enabled via an upcoming PS5 system software update.”.

Independentemente de a situação não ficar ainda disponível para todos, estas são boas notícias pois revelam que a libertação da slot de expansão da consola estará mais próxima do que se esperava.

Os requisitos, para além das dimensões, são a velocidade, que terá de ser no mínimo 5,5 GB/s, e o possuírem dissipador passivo. Nesse sentido espera-se que a Sony divulgue uma lista de discos suportados pela consola.

Como nota, os 5,5 GB/s ficam aquém do que Mark Cerny referiu, pelo que o recomendado é um disco com velocidade superior. A Sony deixa por isso a nota que estes discos podem ter performances inferiores ao disco interno da PS5.

Outra nota relevante é a seguinte, que se tira de outra secção:

Do PS5 consoles support Host Memory Buffer?
No. Additionally, M.2 SSD devices that support HMB (Host Memory Buffer) may see slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 does not support HMB.”

Ou seja, o ideal é um disco que não suporte HMB.

Eis os requisitos gerais:

Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD

Capacity: 250GB – 4TB

Cooling structure: Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in.

Sequential read speed: 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended

Module width: 22mm width (25mm width is not supported)

Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110.
These numbers can be found on retail listings for M.2 SSD devices. The first two digits refer to the width, the remaining digits to the length.

Socket type: Socket 3 (Key M)

Total size including cooling structure:
In millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H).
In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H).

See below for full requirements.

Length

The following M.2 SSD lengths are compatible with PS5 consoles:
30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm (corresponding to the form factor type, per above).

Width
A 22mm-wide M.2 SSD module is required.
The total structure (including an added cooling structure) cannot exceed 25mm (0.984in).

Height
The total height of the M.2 SSD and its cooling structure (such as a heatsink) – whether built-in or separate – must be less than 11.25mm (0.442in).
The height must also be in the right place, in relation to the M.2 SSD’s circuit board:

• The size below the board must be less than 2.45mm (0.096in).
• The total size above the board must be less than 8mm (0.314in).

(Note: millimeter measurements are the technical standard and are more precise than inches. We recommend double-checking that the total dimensions of M.2 SSD and heatsink products you’re considering meet the millimeter requirements before purchasing)

• Both single-sided and double-sided M.2 SSD devices are supported.
• M.2 SATA SSDs aren’t supported.
• You should carefully review drive specifications prior to purchase and contact the vendor or manufacturer if you need further information. SIE cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSD devices meeting the described specifications will work with your console and assumes no responsibility for the selection, performance or use of third-party products.
• Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.
• The majority of M.2 SSD devices with the above type numbers (M Key Type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110) and without a built-in cooling structure will fit the PS5 console’s SSD slot. However, sizes for cooling structures (like heatsinks) vary greatly. If you are not sure an M.2 SSD or cooling structure (such as a heatsink) you’re considering meets the size requirements outlined here, we recommend looking for another product option or contacting the vendor or manufacturer for more information.

E a nota da Sony.

• Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.

Perante tudo isto, nada como esperar por uma lista oficial da Sony para suporte.