Speed Up PS4 & Xbox One with SSD Upgrade

Boosting Console Performance with Solid-State Drives

Both Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One initially launched without solid-state drives (SSDs). The decision to utilize traditional mechanical drives was primarily driven by cost considerations.

However, console owners can significantly improve game loading speeds by incorporating an SSD into their PS4 or Xbox One systems.

How SSDs Enhance Gaming Experience

Contemporary console games are typically installed onto and launched from the internal hard drive, rather than directly from physical discs.

Employing a faster SSD results in noticeably reduced loading times within games, offering a more fluid and immersive gaming experience.

This represents a key upgrade path for current-generation game consoles, providing a substantial performance boost.

Expanding Storage Capacity

Beyond speed improvements, this method also allows for increased storage capacity.

Users can opt to install a larger mechanical hard drive alongside an SSD, exceeding the standard 500 GB storage offered with many original console models.

This provides ample space for a growing game library and other downloadable content.

Faster Load Times: SSDs dramatically reduce game loading screens.
Increased Storage: Expand beyond the original 500 GB capacity.
Simple Upgrade: A relatively straightforward process for console owners.

PlayStation 4

Related: It's Time: Why You Need to Upgrade to an SSD Right Now

Unlike some consoles, PlayStation 4 systems do not natively support external hard drives for storage expansion. Consequently, simply connecting an external SSD isn't a viable option. However, the PS4 does offer access to its internal drive bay.

This allows users to remove the existing internal drive and replace it with a new one. Owners can choose to swap the original mechanical hard drive for a faster solid-state drive, or alternatively, opt for a larger capacity mechanical drive if preferred.

Sony provides detailed, official guidance on the process of replacing the PS4’s hard drive. The replacement drive must adhere to specific criteria: it needs to be a 2.5-inch internal drive, with a thickness of 9.5mm or less, and utilize the SATA interface.

Provided these specifications are met, compatibility with the PS4 is generally assured. Selecting an SSD would mirror the process of upgrading storage in a standard computer.

Because the PS4 can only accommodate a single hard drive at any given time, investing in a relatively high-capacity SSD is often recommended.

The official Sony instructions cover several key steps. These include backing up the console’s existing data to an external storage device, physically accessing and replacing the hard drive within the PS4, and finally, reinstalling the system software and restoring the previously created backup.

Xbox One

The Xbox One console, manufactured by Microsoft, does not permit users to open the device and perform a direct internal drive replacement. However, the system does offer compatibility with external hard drives that can be connected via a USB interface.

For optimal performance, it is recommended to purchase a high-speed external SSD utilizing the USB 3.0 specification. Connecting such a drive to your Xbox One allows for game installations on the external storage. Games will generally exhibit faster loading times when installed on a sufficiently quick external drive compared to the console’s internal mechanical drive.

External Drive Requirements

A drive supporting USB 3.0 is essential, and a minimum capacity of 256 GB is required for game installation. To achieve the highest possible speeds, a solid-state drive employing the USB 3.0 standard is preferable. Prior to purchase, researching performance benchmarks of various external drives is advisable.

Despite being labeled as USB 3.0, some inexpensive external drives may exhibit slower speeds. The Xbox One features three USB 3.0 ports, enabling the connection of up to three external storage devices simultaneously.

Formatting and Setup

Upon connecting an external drive to your Xbox One, the system will prompt you to format the drive for use with games and applications. This formatting option can also be accessed through the console’s settings menu: Settings > All settings > System > Storage > Format for games & apps.

Game Management

Games can be transferred between storage locations without requiring re-installation. Within the My games & apps section, highlight the desired game, press the Menu button, and select Manage game. This allows you to move the game between your internal and connected external storage devices.

Further information regarding the use of external drives with the Xbox One is available on Microsoft’s official website.

Games on Nintendo’s Wii U are typically not installed to the internal storage, unless they are downloaded digitally and not played from physical discs.

However, external drives can be connected to a Wii U to expand storage capacity and potentially improve load times when games are loading data from the external drive. Detailed information about adding external drives to your Wii U can be found on Nintendo’s website.

Image Credit: BagoGames on Flickr, Jon Fingas on Flickr, Marco Verch on Wikimedia Commons