05/03/2026 4:36 am
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I am freaking out because my storage is at like 98% and I cant even download the latest updates for my library anymore. I am planning on getting the PS5 Pro when it drops so I want something thats gonna be future proof but I keep reading conflicting things about heatsinks and read speeds. I live in a pretty small studio apartment in Phoenix and it gets super dusty and hot in here during the summer so thermals are a huge worry for me.
Right now I am looking at the WD Black SN850X 2TB which everyone says is the gold standard but then I saw the Samsung 990 Pro is on sale for like ten bucks more. Then there is the Crucial T500 which is cheaper but does it actually hold up for the long haul? My budget is capped at $170 because I am trying to save for the Pro itself. I mostly play big open world stuff so I need those fast load times.
Is the Samsung worth the extra cash for the supposedly better reliability or should I just stick with the WD? I am super worried about the heatsink fitting right too... which one is actually the safest bet for both the OG PS5 and the Pro?
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05/03/2026 5:10 am
Phoenix heat is no joke for electronics, honestly. Ive been messing with hardware for years and the biggest killer is always heat creep. For your budget, the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink is basically the safest bet. In my experience, WD runs slightly cooler than most under heavy load which really matters in a hot studio. If you check out technical breakdowns on sites like Digital Foundry, they show that once you hit that 5,500MB/s requirement, the console doesnt really benefit much from higher peak speeds. Ive tried many drives and while the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink is top tier, they had those firmware scares a while back that makes a cautious guy like me lean toward WD for long-term reliability. The WD heatsink is low profile and fits perfectly. Use the leftover cash for some compressed air... dust in Phoenix is a nightmare for those fans.
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05/03/2026 5:00 am
TL;DR: I am currently stuck with the same thermal dilemma and no clear solution. To add to the point above: I have been dealing with this exact storage wall for months and it is genuinely frustrating. Even as someone who has built dozens of rigs, the PS5 thermal profile in small, hot spaces is a major concern. One thing though... are you using a horizontal or vertical stand? I am trying to see if that impacts the dust accumulation you mentioned before I decide.
