Key takeaways
- Pre-installed heatsink is correctly sized for the PS5, making installation foolproof
- Exceeds Sony’s speed requirement, so game loading matches internal storage
- Truly plug-and-play with no compatibility guesswork
- Doubles as a capable PCIe 4.0 drive in a desktop PC
What's inside
The WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB is an officially licensed storage expansion drive for the PlayStation 5, combining PCIe 4.0 speeds up to 7,300MB/s with a pre-fitted heatsink sized specifically for the console’s M.2 bay. It exists to solve one very common problem: a PS5 that has run out of room for its games.
This drive is for the PS5 owner who wants a genuinely plug-and-play upgrade with no guesswork about heatsink height or compatibility. It works in a PC too, but its whole design is optimised for the console, and if you only need PC storage a bare drive may be better value.
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Watch: WD_BLACK SN850P Review — Video Review
Design & Build
The standout feature is that the heatsink is already installed and shaped to clear the PS5’s expansion slot cover, so there is no measuring, no aftermarket cooler to buy, and no worrying about whether the lid will close. Installation is as simple as removing the console’s cover, seating the drive, and screwing it down. The low-profile heatsink is understated and effective, and because WD has done the compatibility work for you, the whole process takes only a few minutes. In a PC the heatsink fits standard desktop M.2 slots but may be too tall for slots under a GPU or in a laptop.
Performance
Inside the PS5 the SN850P comfortably exceeds Sony’s speed requirement, so games load as quickly from it as from the console’s built-in storage, and you can play directly off the drive rather than shuffling titles back and forth. In practice that means the expansion is seamless: once installed, it simply becomes more space with no performance penalty you can feel during play.
On a PC it behaves like a strong PCIe 4.0 drive with fast reads and solid random performance, perfectly good for a boot or games drive. The caveat is value: because you are paying for the console-tuned heatsink and licensing, a purely PC-bound buyer can often get equivalent or faster storage for less by choosing a bare drive and using their motherboard’s cooling.
Pros & Cons
- Pre-installed heatsink is correctly sized for the PS5, making installation foolproof
- Exceeds Sony’s speed requirement, so game loading matches internal storage
- Truly plug-and-play with no compatibility guesswork
- Doubles as a capable PCIe 4.0 drive in a desktop PC
- Costs more than a comparable bare drive you cool yourself
- Heatsink height can be too tall for some PC slots and laptops
- 1TB fills quickly if you install many large modern games
Alternatives to Consider
If you want more room, the 2TB WD SN850 for PS5 doubles the capacity for heavier libraries. PC-focused buyers who do not need the console heatsink can save with the WD_Black SN7100, and anyone on a PCIe 5.0 desktop chasing maximum speed should look at the WD_Black SN8100 instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the SN850P need a separate heatsink for the PS5?
No. The heatsink is already installed and sized for the PS5’s expansion bay, so it is ready to drop straight in with nothing extra to buy.
Will PS5 games load as fast from this drive?
Yes. It exceeds Sony’s minimum speed requirement, so load times and in-game performance match the console’s internal SSD, and you can run games directly from it.
Can I use it in my PC instead?
You can. It performs as a solid PCIe 4.0 drive in a desktop, though the tall heatsink may not fit slots under a graphics card or in laptops.
Is 1TB enough for a PS5?
It roughly doubles a base PS5’s usable space, which helps, but large modern games fill it quickly. Heavy collectors may prefer a 2TB option.
Verdict
The WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB is the easiest way to expand a PS5, removing every bit of compatibility guesswork with its pre-fitted heatsink and console-matched speed. You pay a small premium for that convenience, but for console owners who just want it to work, it is well worth it.
