Pixel wizards Digital Foundry have test driving the new PS5 system software update beta, and has found that upgrading the console with a M.2 NVMe SSD can improve the system’s load times and transfer rates.
The site tested a Samsung 980 Pro SSD, and found that it slightly boosts loading times for some PS4 games including The Witcher 3, as well as transfer speeds.
While this is a beta where the quality of delivery can change by the official release, results on our particular M.2 SSD are encouraging.
The Samsung 980 Pro is fast enough to handle taxing PS5 exclusives like Ratchet and Clank and works just like PS5’s stock drive in its delivery of high-bandwidth scenes. Plus, there’s the loading time advantage. Most games in our test suite, from The Witcher 3 to Fallout 4, all run with a marginal lead on the 980 Pro. We have no loss in performance, and only a gain in overall storage.
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Elsewhere, the Samsung 980 Pro measured favourable against the console’s internal device, specifically when it was tested on Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
In most cases it’s actually an exact match between the two SSD solutions when it comes to… in-game stutter.
Jumping portals triggers the same hitches, and always in the exact same moments – though with one instance where the M.2 is less severe in its drop that may be an outlier result. In all other respects, the 980 Pro performs in a similar manner to the existing storage solution, with equally flawless gameplay. As first impressions go, this is a strong start.
A number of companies have already confirmed PS5 compatible SSDs in their lineup, including the FireCuda 530 from Seagate and Western Digital’s WD_BLACK SN 850.
[Source – Digital Foundry]