Head-to-head · Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink vs WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.6 vs 3.3). WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is best for: PS5 owners who want the best-balanced, most reliable storage upgrade with a drop-in heatsink and cool operation. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink

3.3

2 sources$239.99as of Jun 7

The Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink is a premium, high-endurance PS5 drive whose low-profile heatsink was co-engineered with EKWB, and it reads up to 7,400 MB/s. Tom's Hardware calls it a surprisingly capable, consistent drive with few downsides, and notes it runs cool and is great for the PS5. Its high endurance and the bundled Rescue data-recovery service are the draw. It costs more than the Crucial T500 and Lexar NM790 for similar console results, which lands it fourth on value.

Strengths

— High endurance rating, up to 5,050 TBW on larger capacities
— Up to 7,400 MB/s reads and strong sustained performance
— Cool-running enough to suit the PS5 well

Watch-outs

— Recently affected by the ongoing memory shortage pricing
— Double-sided design needs a heatsink that clears both sides
— Less obvious value than the cheaper drives here

$239.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

3.6

2 sources$267as of Oct 8

The WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is the best all-around PS5 SSD. Tom's Hardware ranks it at the top of its PS5 list with an Editor's Choice award, citing 7,300 MB/s reads that clear Sony's requirement and a heatsink that drops into the expansion slot with room to spare. It runs cooler than the Samsung 990 Pro and offers strong value, especially when the 2TB model is discounted. Peak speeds trail the Samsung slightly, but for the PS5 it is the safest, best-balanced choice.

Strengths

— 7,300 MB/s reads exceed Sony's PS5 requirement with margin
— Bundled heatsink fits the PS5 expansion slot with room to spare
— Excellent all-around value with frequent discounts on the 2TB model

Watch-outs

— Heatsink/RGB option not available on the 4TB capacity, per Tom's Hardware

$267 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink

The FireCuda 530R is a premium, high-endurance rival to the WD SN850X and Samsung 990 Pro, with a low-profile heatsink that suits the PS5. It costs more than the value-oriented Crucial T500 and budget Lexar NM790 for similar real-world PS5 results, which is why it ranks below them despite strong specs.

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink

The SN850X is the all-around PS5 pick, running cooler than the hotter-running Samsung 990 Pro while nearly matching it on speed. It is pricier than the budget Lexar NM790 and the value-oriented Crucial T500, and competes closely with the Seagate FireCuda 530R, but its combination of thermals, speed, and PS5-fit heatsink puts it first.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink	WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink
Interface	PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe	PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe
Form Factor	M.2 2280	M.2 2280
Sequential Read	Up to 7,400 MB/s	Up to 7,300 MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 6,800 MB/s	Up to 6,600 MB/s
Endurance	Up to 5,050 TBW	—
Heatsink	Low-profile (EKWB co-engineered)	Yes (PS5-compatible)
Extras	Seagate Rescue data recovery	—
Warranty	5 years	5 years
Capacities	—	1TB / 2TB / 4TB
Controller	—	WD in-house

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