M2 Drives and Next-Gen Gaming
(Image credit: Mad Cougar Productions)
What to look for in Memory Upgrades
Is your PC or next-gen console out of storage space? Then you are likely looking at NVMe M2 SSD drives, since games on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S now capitalize from the extreme speeds provided by them. However, not all M2s are the same, with some manufacturers providing products that do not meet the higher end of the original speeds promised. Upgrading internal storage for PS5 or PC can cause serious gameplay issues if the M2 SSD drive does not have a heatsink or meet the fast speeds needed for active scene loading techniques. The Load Screen covers what to look for when upgrading M2 SSDs to avoid headaches and unwanted equipment.
The first hurdle to overcome for this upgrade is ensuring the new drive and current equipment work together. Every NVMe M2 SSD drive has a specific size, and most motherboards work with a wide range of sizes, including the PS5. All M2 specifications list a four- or five-digit number for its size, commonly 2280 or 22110. The number gives the dimensions in millimeters, with the first two detailing the width and the final two to three digits showing the length, like 22mm x 80mm or 22mm x 110mm. Motherboards that take M2 SSDs typically document the sizes they accept, even the PlayStation 5.
The next issue for an NVMe SSD M2 is the generation of the model in question. There are two main versions currently available: Gen 3.0x4 or Gen 4.0x4. The older Gen 3 architecture does not compare to the speeds of Gen 4 models but is still significantly faster than SATA SSD and HDD drives. Gen 4 devices are backward compatible with Gen 3 but operate much slower. Both parts must have Gen 4 architecture for full functionality, or they revert to Gen 3 standards. PlayStation 5 requires Gen 4 and may not have any compatibility with the older style.
Besides the technical issues that already exist, gamers now combat underperformance by design. Some M2 SSD manufacturers are silently swapping parts, as shown in the Chip shortage Strains Products Availability article. The product changes may have a minor effect on PC performance since computers can compensate with additional resources like expandable onboard RAM. However, the modifications could impact intense gaming, especially on PlayStation 5.
The biggest swap to worry about is QLC memory replacing TLC memory. QLC (Quad Level Cell) memory takes longer to evaluate data it passes than TLC (Triple Level Cell), and more significant data transfers amplify the difference. The Tom’s Hardware article called Unsavory Flash swap shows how swapping TLC for QLC affects performance on one product and further proof of another company quietly switching the parts. If the new QLC version dips well below PS5 speed requirements, the user could now have an expensive and incompatible M2 SSD drive.
Consumers can protect themselves from predatory merchandise changes by selecting M2 SSD makers that identify QLC and TLC model changes. Sabrent is a good example of one such company based in the U.S. that lists and marks all drives separately; see the Sabrent Internal Solid State Drives page. The company is known for affordability and only carries one series capable of handling the PS5 requirements currently. When in doubt of any drive’s quality, check the manufacturer’s direct website for product specifications.
(Image credit: Mad Cougar Productions)
Drive read speed, and quality are not the only concerns for anyone upgrading to an M2 SSD drive. Heatsinks are just as crucial for maintaining M2 SSD transfer rates. According to the official NVMe Technology Power Features page, all NVMe drives have Thermal Throttle Management available. Designers added this feature to protect data integrity by allowing self-regulated heat control. It usually requires user input for extreme throttling but will kick in under extreme heat conditions. Luckily for those upgrading M2 SDDs, they can add third-party heatsinks to M2 drives if they both match width and length.
Sony has strict upgrade requirements like having a heatsink, as laid out on Sony’s how to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5 console page. The M2 SSD drive needs a sequential read speed higher than 5,500 MB/s, ranging in size from 2230 to 22110, with storage from 250 GB to 4 TB. The heatsink has the additional constraint of a total height maximum of 11.25mm (0.442 inches), or the case will not close appropriately. Many of the fancier M2 heatsinks exceed that limit, so the savvy consumer should double-check the full height of the product before purchasing.
A hidden issue for the M2 upgrade on the PS5 lies in the frequently asked questions of the Sony how to add an M2 article: the PS5 does not support Host Memory Buffer. According to the NVMe FAQ on Host Memory Buffer, it allows memory sharing between the M2 SSD and the system. However, the streamlined PS5 has very little spare memory, unlike what PCs can have available at any time. On a PC with maximum RAM, a Host Memory Buffer may perform without much loss. M2 drives that use Host Memory Buffer usually do not have onboard RAM, so the PlayStation 5 owner should check the RAM specifications or HMB notation on the product’s sales page. Most M2 SSD drives that meet the speed requirement have onboard RAM and avoid slower Host Memory Buffer options.
Even Xbox Series X/S owners must worry about M.2 SSD support since their consoles take a version that requires a unique cartridge design. In fact, the demands of advanced gaming and performance are so tight that the Xbox console only has the Seagate Storage Expansion Card available; see the Xbox Seagate Storage page for more information. While the single device leaves the gamer with little choice in memory expansion, they do not have to worry about not meeting system requirements, unlike on PC and PlayStation 5.
When anyone decides to invest in a new M2 NVMe SSD drive, information is the best defense, and finding a supplier that labels any product change greatly helps the search. The gamer’s current hardware must support the new M2 drive in both size and Gen number or expect poor performance, including not working at all. PlayStation 5 owners should follow the specific guidelines set by Sony, while those with Xbox Series X/S are left with a single option. PC users get the widest upgrade selection, and most choices make HDDs look like ancient relics. The Load Screen team now games exclusively on M2 SSD drives and the benefits are significant.
