Storage constraints placing a cramp in your PlayStation 5? Having to delete and redownload your video games since you’re crushed in area? Including a higher-storage SSD could also be precisely what you’ll want to squeeze in as much as 150 AAA titles. My suggestion is Lexar’s Play 2280. Here is why.
Lexar Play 2280 PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD tech specs
- As much as 7,400MB/s learn, 6,500MB/s write (word these are capped within the PlayStation 5 to six,500MB/s)
- Distinctive heatsink for easy set up and enhanced cooling
- HMB and SLC Dynamic cache help when fitted in a PC
- 6,400 TBW endurance ranking
- M.2 2280 kind issue
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Whereas the Play 2280 capabilities like an ordinary SSD when plugged right into a PC, the drive has been designed and constructed particularly for the PS5. I am a fan of how the heatsink enhances the console’s look whereas additionally making set up simpler as a result of the interior parts are principally lined and guarded. Apart from the sting connector, there are not any delicate circuit boards uncovered, so it is rather a lot simpler to grip.
The heatsink itself is substantial and designed to maneuver and dissipate scorching air, so whether or not that is within the bowels of a PC or PS5, overheating should not be a problem. Observe, nevertheless, {that a} huge heatsink may imply that you would be able to’t match this SSD into some PCs or enclosures as a result of it will probably get in the best way of different parts. On a PS5, you should not have any downside discovering room.
The Lexar Play 2280’s speeds are very quick, particularly when utilized in a PC, with reads topping out at 7,400MB/s. Nonetheless, keep in mind that the PS5’s {hardware} caps the efficiency to six,500MB/s. I’ve examined these speeds on a few totally different motherboards and received outcomes that have been inside 10 % of the spec sheet, which I take into account acceptable.
On the reliability entrance, Lexar charges this drive pretty much as good for six,400 TBW (Terabytes Written), a measure of the whole variety of terabytes that may be written to the SSD over its lifetime. If one thing does go unsuitable, it’s backed by a five-year restricted guarantee.
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I discover the TBW ranking to be much less helpful than an extended guarantee since even a heavy person is unlikely to write down something near 100TB to an SSD over a 12 months, not to mention the 1,200TB you’d want to write down to this drive per 12 months to exceed the TBW inside the guarantee interval.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The 4TB model of the Lexar Play 2280 is on the market now from Amazon for $380, whereas the 2TB and 8TB fashions might be obtainable within the final quarter of 2024.
Based mostly on my expertise with the model, Lexar merchandise ship, whether or not that be an SSD, RAM, flash drive, a reminiscence card for a drone or digital camera, or a reminiscence card reader. The corporate makes and sells a number of the greatest storage merchandise obtainable, and the Play 2280 is not any exception. This can be a high-performance drive for these in search of pace and reliability from their storage.