Key takeaways
- Officially licensed for PS5 with a pre-installed, correctly sized heatsink
- Exceeds the PS5’s speed requirement, matching internal storage load times
- Plug-and-play installation with no separate cooler to buy or fit
- Works in PCs and laptops as a standard M.2 2280 drive
What's inside
The WD_BLACK SN850P is a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD officially licensed by Sony for PlayStation 5 storage expansion, and the model reviewed here is the 1TB version that ships with a pre-installed heatsink. Rated for up to 7,300 MB/s reads, it drops straight into the PS5’s internal expansion slot with no separate cooler to source, making it the most fuss-free way to add fast console storage.
It is built for PS5 owners who have run out of space and want a guaranteed-compatible drive that just works, as well as PC users who want a proven Gen 4 drive with a heatsink already fitted. If you are strictly building a PC and do not need the PlayStation licensing or the bundled heatsink, a plain retail NVMe drive can cost less, but for console expansion this is the safe, purpose-built pick.
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Watch: WD_BLACK SN850P Review — Video Review
Design & Build
The defining feature is the low-profile heatsink engineered to fit the PS5’s expansion bay, so there is no guesswork about clearance or thermals; you unbox it, screw it in, and the console handles the rest. It is a standard M.2 2280 drive underneath, so it also works in PCs and laptops with the appropriate slot. The heatsink keeps sustained speeds stable during long transfers, and because Sony has officially licensed it, you avoid the compatibility uncertainty that comes with picking a random drive and a separate cooler.
Performance
On the PS5 the SN850P comfortably exceeds Sony’s minimum speed requirement, so games load as fast as they do from the console’s built-in storage, with no practical difference in load times or performance. That is exactly what you want from expansion storage: it disappears into the experience and simply gives you room for more installed games.
Viewed purely as a PC drive, the story is more nuanced. Its 7,300 MB/s class speed is very good for Gen 4 but no longer cutting-edge now that Gen 5 drives exist, and you pay a premium for the PlayStation licensing and pre-fitted heatsink that a desktop builder may not need. The 1TB capacity also fills quickly with modern game installs, so many buyers will find themselves wishing they had stepped up to 2TB.
Pros & Cons
- Officially licensed for PS5 with a pre-installed, correctly sized heatsink
- Exceeds the PS5’s speed requirement, matching internal storage load times
- Plug-and-play installation with no separate cooler to buy or fit
- Works in PCs and laptops as a standard M.2 2280 drive
- Costs more than comparable unlicensed retail NVMe drives
- 1TB fills fast with today’s large game installs
- Gen 4 speeds trail newer Gen 5 drives for PC users chasing peak throughput
Alternatives to Consider
If you want more room, the Western Digital 2TB SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5 doubles the capacity in the same console-ready format. PC builders chasing top speed should look at the WD_Black SN8100 2TB, a Gen 5 drive with far higher throughput, while the WD_Black SN7100 1TB is a leaner Gen 4 option for laptops and handhelds where a pre-fitted PS5 heatsink is not needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the SN850P work in a PS5 without extra parts?
Yes. It ships with a PS5-compatible heatsink pre-installed and is officially licensed, so it installs directly into the console’s expansion slot with no separate cooler needed.
Is 1TB enough for a PS5?
It adds meaningful space, but modern games are large, so 1TB fills quickly. If you install many big titles, the 2TB version is worth considering.
Can I use this drive in a PC?
Yes. It is a standard M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD, so it works in compatible PCs and laptops, though the console licensing and heatsink add cost a PC builder may not need.
Is it as fast as the PS5’s built-in storage?
Effectively yes. It exceeds Sony’s speed requirement, so games load at the same pace as they do from the console’s internal drive.
Verdict
The WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB is the easiest way to expand a PS5: licensed, pre-cooled, and fast enough to match the console’s internal storage with zero setup hassle. You pay extra for that convenience, the 1TB capacity fills fast, and PC-only buyers can find cheaper or faster drives, but for PS5 owners who want a guaranteed, install-and-forget upgrade, it is money well spent.
