Is the Kingston NV3 compatible with PS5? Is 1TB enough for GTA 6?

Is the Kingston NV3 compatible with PS5?

Yes, Kingston NV3 fits the PlayStation 5 console, but you need to purchase a separate heatsink for it. The 500 GB version works in the PS5, but it reads slower than Sony recommends, so we do not recommend it. Drives of 1 TB and above reach read speeds of 6000 MB/s, meeting Sony's official recommendation. Physically, it is a standard M.2 2280 drive using a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, so it fits into the console's factory slot without any issues.

Spec	Sony requirement	Kingston NV3	Result
Interface	PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe	PCIe 4.0 x4	yes
Sequential read	5500 MB/s or faster recommended	5000-6000 MB/s	caution
M.2 size	2230 to 22110	2280	yes
Heatsink	required	not included, buy one	caution

The drive measures 22 x 80 x 2,3 mm and does not include a heatsink, and Sony does not allow it to be used in the console without cooling.

Why the 500 GB version is out of the question for the console

The base 500 GB Kingston NV3 variant offers read speeds of up to 5000 MB/s. In its official guidelines, Sony recommends transfer speeds of at least 5500 MB/s. Choosing this model therefore means speeds below the console manufacturer's recommendation.

The second reason is actual storage space. After formatting the drive in the console, very little of the 500 GB remains, which allows for installing only two large games with modern titles. The 500 GB version also features lower write endurance at 160 TBW, whereas the 1 TB model offers 320 TBW.

Heatsink for Kingston NV3 and dimension requirements

Sony requires the use of a cooling solution in the form of a heatsink or a thermal transfer sheet. Kingston NV3 itself is sold without factory cooling. Because the drive is single-sided and measures just 2,3 mm thick, you can easily find a compatible cooling module for it.

The maximum allowable thickness for the assembly in the PS5 slot is 11,25 mm, of which no more than 8 mm can be above the drive board. A standard 10 mm heatsink with thermal pads easily fits within these limits. Remember that if you purchase a drive with factory cooling, you must not attach a second heatsink to it.

Fun fact: An official system software update in 2023 increased the maximum limit for supported M.2 drives in the PS5 console from the original 4 TB to 8 TB.

QLC memory and lack of DRAM in the PlayStation 5 console

Kingston NV3 is a budget drive that lacks its own DRAM cache. On PCs, such designs use the Host Memory Buffer feature, but the PlayStation 5 console does not support HMB. This means the drive runs in the console slot without this type of support.

Tests conducted by Tom's Hardware revealed Kioxia BiCS6 QLC memory chips in the 2 TB version, whereas the 1 TB variant may feature either TLC or QLC memory. For this reason, Back2Gaming refers to the changing components as a lottery under the sticker, while noting that the drive retains full compatibility with PS5. Kingston covers the NV3 series with a 5-year warranty, and the endurance is 640 TBW for 2 TB and 1280 TBW for 4 TB, respectively.

Installing the drive in the console according to Sony's guidelines

Installing an additional M.2 drive in the console requires following several safety rules outlined directly by Sony:

• Before starting, touch a grounded metal object to safely discharge static electricity, and prepare a #1 Phillips screwdriver (a flashlight may help, but is optional).
• Pay attention to your device model, as Sony provides separate case removal instructions for the launch CFI-1000 group and the newer CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 versions.
• Never install M.2 SATA drives, as they are not supported by the console, and ensure that the NVMe drive has cooling installed.
• Never turn on the console with the cover removed.
• After powering on PlayStation 5, format the new drive, which will erase all data on it, and the system will automatically measure its read speed.

Is a 1 TB drive enough for GTA 6

The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has been announced for November 19, 2026, and the pre-load option is set to launch on November 12. Rockstar Games has not disclosed the official installation size. Industry estimates range between 150 and 300 GB, with GamesRadar most often pointing to just under 200 GB.

If these estimates hold true, a 1 TB drive will easily fit GTA 6 alongside several other large titles. After accounting for formatting space, a 1 TB drive holds a total of about 4-5 games weighing nearly 200 GB. With the 2 TB variant, you can fit around 9-10 such titles on the console, and the 4 TB version will let you install roughly 19-20 massive games.

In the console storage settings, you can immediately set the M.2 drive as the default download location for new files. You can easily move installed titles from the internal storage via the game library using the option to move games and apps. Importantly, you can move a drive filled with games to another PS5 unit as long as you sign in to the same account on it, just remembering to remove the drive before potentially sending the hardware in for service.

Below, we have compiled the suitable capacity variants of this drive along with a console-compatible heatsink, based directly on Sony's guidelines regarding speed and cooling dimensions.

Kingston NV3 and a heatsink for PS5

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kingston NV3 500 GB suitable for PS5?

The 500 GB model is not a recommended choice for the console. It offers read speeds of 5000 MB/s, while Sony recommends transfers of 5500 MB/s or higher. It also provides very little free space for modern games.

Does the Kingston NV3 need a heatsink in the PS5?

Yes, this model is sold without factory cooling. Sony requires every M.2 drive installed in the console to have a heatsink or thermal transfer sheet with a total thickness of up to 11.25 mm. Using the drive without cooling goes against the console manufacturer's recommendations.

Does the NV3 have QLC memory?

Tests by Tom's Hardware showed that the 2 TB variant uses Kioxia BiCS6 QLC memory. For the 1 TB model, either TLC or QLC chips are found, which Back2Gaming describes as changing components under the label. The drive also lacks a dedicated DRAM cache.

Does the Kingston NV3 fit PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro?

Yes, the drive is compatible with the original PS5, the PS5 Slim version, and the PS5 Pro console. Each of these devices supports 22 mm wide M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 drives. In every case, however, you must remember to purchase and properly install a heatsink.

Is 1 TB enough for GTA 6 on PS5?

A capacity of 1 TB is easily enough to install GTA 6. Industry estimates suggest a size between 150-300 GB, with most pointing to just under 200 GB. Such a drive will fit GTA 6 and about 3-4 other large games.

More PS5 SSD guides

• Is the Samsung 990 Pro compatible with PS5? What size for GTA 6
• Is the Samsung 990 EVO Plus compatible with PS5? Only with a heatsink
• Is the WD SN850X compatible with PS5? How many games like GTA 6 it holds
• Is the WD SN850P compatible with PS5? How it differs from the SN850X
• Is the Lexar NM790 compatible with PS5? What size for GTA 6
• Is the Kingston Fury Renegade compatible with PS5? Size for GTA 6
• Is the Samsung 980 compatible with PS5? No, it's PCIe 3.0
• Is the Samsung 9100 Pro compatible with PS5? Yes, but you overpay

Sources

• Kingston: NV3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD - manufacturer page (kingston.com)
• PlayStation: How to add M.2 SSD storage to PS5 consoles - manufacturer page (playstation.com)
• Tom's Hardware: Kingston NV3 SSD review - industry article (tomshardware.com)
• Back2Gaming: Kingston NV3 SSD review (PlayStation 5 performance) - industry article (back2gaming.com)
• The SSD Review: Kingston NV3 Gen 4 2TB SSD review - industry article (thessdreview.com)
• PCWorld: WD Black SN770 review (PS5 and HMB) - industry article (pcworld.com)
• GamesRadar: Best PS5 heatsink - industry article (gamesradar.com)
• Tom's Hardware: PlayStation 5 update adds support for 8TB SSDs - industry article (tomshardware.com)
• GamesRadar: What is the GTA 6 GB size going to be? - industry article (gamesradar.com)