WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink: specs and fit

The WD_BLACK SN850P is an M.2 NVMe solid-state drive made to add storage to PlayStation 5 consoles. This listing is the 2TB model, WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN. It's officially licensed for the console and comes with a heatsink designed for the console's M.2 slot, so it's meant to be a straightforward upgrade.

Why a licensed drive

A PS5 only accepts certain M.2 drives in its expansion slot. They must be fast enough and fit the slot, and they usually need cooling. WD_BLACK describes this model as officially licensed and tested and approved for the console, so you can install it and play without worrying about compatibility. It also advises checking the official WD_BLACK site for PS5 system software compatibility.

Speed and PCIe Gen4

The drive uses PCIe Gen4 and has read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s. WD_BLACK states that this is based on internal testing and that performance may vary with the host device, usage conditions and capacity. The speed matters because it allows you to play games directly from the expanded storage. The brand says that eliminates the need to move or delete games from the console's internal storage as you switch titles.

Capacity

The range spans 1TB to 4TB. WD_BLACK says the 4TB version can hold up to 100 games, based on an average of 36GB per game; real counts depend on file sizes and other factors. At 2TB, expect roughly half that number. As with any drive, the space your console shows will be a little lower than the labelled size because 1TB is counted as one trillion bytes.

The heatsink

Fast SSDs get hot, and in a closed console they can slow themselves down if heat builds up. The SN850P includes a new heatsink designed specifically for the PS5, which WD_BLACK says supports uninterrupted gameplay and makes installation easy. The drive measures about 3.1 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches with the heatsink fitted, as listed.

Installing it

The M.2 slot is under the console's side cover, and Sony's instructions show how to open it. In general, you remove the cover, unscrew the slot's retaining screw, insert the drive, secure it and format the drive when the console prompts you. Follow the console maker's manual and the drive's instructions.

Who it suits

It suits PS5 owners whose internal storage is filling up and who want to keep a larger library installed. It's designed for the console; if you need a drive for a PC, a general-purpose M.2 NVMe drive may be a better match.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm your PS5 model and system software version are supported, using the official WD_BLACK compatibility page.
• Check the console's M.2 slot clearance for the drive plus heatsink.
• Have a suitable screwdriver ready, and back up saves before opening the console.
• Work out how many games you want installed at once to choose between 1TB, 2TB and 4TB.
• Opening the console may be covered by its own warranty terms, so check them.
• Think about whether you'll use the drive in a PC later, where the heatsink could affect fit.

The short version

• WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD, officially licensed for PS5 consoles.
• Read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s on PCIe Gen4, per WD_BLACK's internal testing.
• Includes a heatsink designed for the console's M.2 slot.
• Lets you play games directly from the drive without moving them in and out.
• Check your console's software version and slot clearance before installing.

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