PlayStation only tests your storage speed once. Learn how to test ps5 ssd speed on your computer to check performance without deleting your saved games.
Verify your PS5 SSD speed by installing the new M.2 drive into your console and completing the initial formatting setup. The PlayStation 5 automatically runs a brief read speed test and displays the results on your screen immediately after the format finishes. Because the console only allows you to run this native test once, you cannot retest the drive later without erasing all your games.
To bypass this limit and figure out how to test PS5 SSD speed at any time, you must remove the M.2 drive, plug it into a Windows computer, and use professional partition software to run a full disk speed test safely.
Sony enforces very specific hardware rules for expanding your internal console storage. If you buy a drive that falls below these standards, the console will reject it, or your games will stutter. The PlayStation 5 requires an M.2 NVMe SSD to store and play modern games. You must check your product packaging to ensure your new drive meets the following specifications:
The console includes a built-in speed testing tool that runs automatically. You do not need to download any extra applications to see your initial hardware performance.
This native method has a major flaw. The console only tests the speed right after you format a brand new drive. If you want to test the speed again six months later, you have to reformat the drive and delete all your games.
Step 1: Turn off your console, remove the side cover, and install your new M.2 SSD into the expansion slot.
Step 2: Turn the console on. A black screen will appear stating that you must format the M.2 SSD to use it.
Step 3: Select the Format M.2 SSD button using your controller.
Step 4: The console will format the drive in a few seconds.
Step 5: A new screen will pop up automatically. This screen displays your exact PS5 SSD speed under the Read Speed heading.
Step 6: Read the number on the screen. If it is above 5,500 MB/s, your drive is ready for gaming. Select OK to go to your home screen.
If you want to test your drive without deleting your console games, you must use a Windows computer. Testing the drive on a PC gives you much more accurate details about your hardware health.
You will need a computer with an empty M.2 slot or a USB to M.2 adapter enclosure. We will cover the best visual software and the native Windows text commands for testing storage speeds.
Native Windows tools require you to type confusing text commands to test hardware. Using a visual disk manager is the safest and easiest way to see your exact read and write speeds.
AOMEI Partition Software includes a dedicated Disk Speed Test tool. You can plug your console drive into your computer and run a test with just one click. This tool shows you the exact sequential read speeds you need to verify your hardware. It also offers a Check Partition feature to scan the disk for bad health sectors if your games are crashing.
A free and reliable disk partition software that helps you resize partitions, migrate OS, convert disks, and optimize PC efficiently.
Step 1: Remove the M.2 SSD from your console and plug it into your Windows computer.
Step 2: Download and open AOMEI Partition Software. You will see a visual map of all your connected drives.
Step 3: Click the Test tab at the top of the main menu and select Disk Speed Test.
Step 4: A new window will appear. Select your M.2 SSD from the drop-down menu at the top.
Step 5: Click the Start button. The software will run a stress test on your drive.
Step 6: Look at the test results on the screen. Check the number under the Sequential Read section. If this number is above 5,500 MB/s, the drive meets the official console requirements.
Windows includes a hidden tool to test hard drive performance. You can use the Command Prompt to force the operating system to measure your storage speed. This method gives you a very basic text output. Typing the wrong drive letter will cause the test to fail.
Step 1: Plug your M.2 SSD into your computer. Open File Explorer and find the exact drive letter assigned to it.
Step 2: Click the Windows Start button, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Step 3: Type winsat disk -drive D into the black screen. Change the letter D to match your actual M.2 drive letter.
Step 4: Press Enter. Windows will run a quick speed test.
Step 5: Look at the text output. Find the line that says Disk Sequential Read. This number tells you how fast your drive is performing.
Checking your storage performance ensures your games load fast and run smoothly. You can verify your hardware easily by paying attention to the initial console setup screens.
When you install a new drive, the console will show you the exact PS5 SSD speed right after the format finishes. Because you cannot run this native test a second time without deleting your games, using a computer is your best alternative. You can plug the drive into a PC and use the Disk Speed Test tool inside AOMEI Partition Software. This gives you accurate read speeds and lets you check your hardware health without losing your saved data.
Gamers often worry about buying the wrong computer parts for their console. Here are simple answers to the most common storage upgrade questions.
1. What happens if my PS5 SSD speed is under 5,500 MB/s?
The console will usually still format the drive and let you play games on it. However, you will experience annoying performance issues. Your games will take much longer to load, and you might see texture pop-ins or stuttering while playing fast-paced games. Sony strongly recommends replacing slow drives to avoid game crashes.
2. Can I use a SATA SSD in my PlayStation 5?
No. The internal expansion slot is built strictly for NVMe M.2 drives. A standard SATA SSD will not physically fit into the slot. You can plug a SATA SSD into the USB port on the back of the console to store games, but you cannot play PS5 games directly from a USB connection.
3. Do I really need a heatsink on my M.2 SSD?
Yes. NVMe drives generate a massive amount of heat when reading and writing game files. If you install a drive without a metal heatsink, the drive will overheat in a few minutes. The console will shut down automatically to prevent a fire, and the extreme heat will permanently destroy your new memory drive.