How to set up a ps5 m.2 nvme so texture pop-in and long load stutters disappear in open-world games

If you've ever been cruising through an open-world game on PS5—one of my favorites is Horizon Forbidden West—and suddenly textures pop in or the world stutters while streaming in geometry, you know how immersion-killing that can be. I’ve spent a lot of time testing PS5 storage setups, swapping drives, and pushing load scenarios to figure out what actually eliminates texture pop-in and long load hiccups. Below I’ll walk you through how I set up an M.2 NVMe on my PS5 so that those issues become rare or disappear entirely.

Why the internal M.2 NVMe matters for open-world games

PS5 games expect ultra-fast streaming to stream textures, models and audio on the fly. The console's internal SSD is extremely fast, and when you add an M.2 NVMe that matches the PS5 requirements, you regain that level of streaming performance for games installed there. If you put games on a slower drive or use an external HDD/SSD incorrectly, the result can be texture pop-in, stutters during fast travel, or long pauses when entering complex areas.

What you need before starting

• Compatible M.2 NVMe drive: PCIe 4.0 x4 with sequential read speeds ideally >5,500 MB/s. Drives below that can still work but won’t match the PS5’s native SSD performance for streaming-heavy scenes.
• Proper heatsink: The PS5 requires a heatsink. You can buy an M.2 with an integrated heatsink or attach a slim third-party heatsink. Thermal throttling will cause stutters, so this is critical.
• Correct form-factor: 2230/2242/2260/2280 are supported; 2280 is the most common.
• Latest PS5 firmware: Make sure your PS5 is updated. Sony has added compatibility and reliability improvements since launch.
• Tools: A small Phillips screwdriver and a clean workspace.

Which drives I recommend (based on real testing)

All of the above perform well in open-world streaming. If you're on a budget, look for drives that still hit or exceed Sony's minimum official spec (around 5,500 MB/s read). Anything below that risks more stutter.

Step-by-step: installing the M.2 NVMe into your PS5

• Power down and unplug: Turn off the PS5 fully, unplug power and wait a minute.
• Remove the side panel: Slide and lift as Sony’s guide shows. I keep a microfiber cloth underneath so I don’t scratch the finish.
• Open the expansion bay: Unscrew the small screw and remove the cover. Keep screws organized — I use small containers.
• Install the drive: Insert the M.2 at an angle into the slot, press down gently and secure with the mounting screw. Attach your heatsink if needed. Make sure the heatsink is slim enough to close the PS5 cover without pressure.
• Reassemble and boot: Put the cover back, reconnect power, and boot the PS5.

Formatting on the PS5: what I do

When you boot, the PS5 will detect the M.2 SSD and prompt you to format it. This is necessary—PS5 uses a proprietary format optimized for its I/O stack. I always pick the default format option and name the drive so I can tell it apart in storage settings. After formatting, the PS5 will run a short verification process.

Where to install games for best streaming performance

• Install streaming-heavy titles (open-world, fast-travel, large texture sets) to the internal M.2 NVMe. This is where you’ll actually see the disappearance of pop-in most of the time.
• Use the external USB SSD/HDD for titles that don’t require ultra-fast streaming (indie games, older titles, or backups).

Performance tips I actually use in playtesting

• Keep free space: Don’t fill the drive to the brim. I leave at least 10–15% free to avoid fragmentation and maintain peak write behavior.
• Enable rest mode carefully: I avoid installing or moving games during rest mode. Occasionally the PS5 will perform background tasks that interfere with installs/updates and can cause odd behavior.
• Reinstall problem games: If a game still shows pop-in after using the internal NVMe, I delete and reinstall it directly onto the internal drive. Some games use different install paths for streaming assets and a fresh install fixes those paths.
• Install patches and texture packs to the internal drive: Some games let you choose an install location for optional high-res textures—put them on the internal M.2.
• Monitor temps: If you notice sudden stutters during long sessions, check that the heatsink is making contact and that the drive isn’t thermal throttling. External ventilation around the PS5 helps.

Troubleshooting: if you still see pop-in or stutters

• Confirm the drive meets speed specs: Some low-cost NVMe drives advertise PCIe 4.0 but don’t sustain the needed reads. Re-check manufacturer specs and community benchmarks.
• Try swapping games to the internal drive: If the problem disappears, the issue was the previous storage location.
• Update game and console: Developers sometimes release streaming or asset loading patches that fix specific issues.
• Check for excessive background installs or uploads: Pause those during heavy play sessions.
• Factory reset as last resort: I only consider this after backups; sometimes leftover metadata from old installs can cause weird streaming decisions.

What to realistically expect

Installing a high-quality PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe with a proper heatsink on a PS5 doesn’t magically eliminate every single hiccup—some games have engine limits or poorly optimized streaming pipelines. But in my experience, the common causes of texture pop-in and long streaming stutters in open-world games are dramatically reduced. Fast travel becomes significantly smoother, entering dense areas stops producing pauses, and high-res texture packs actually load where intended.

If you want specific recommendations for your budget or need help picking a heatsink that will fit under the PS5 cover, tell me your budget and whether you have a standard or digital PS5. I can suggest exact models and share the small form-factor heatsinks I’ve tested that keep temps down without bulking up the console.