How Much Storage Does the PS5 Digital Edition Really Have?

PlayStation touts 825GB of storage in the PS5 Digital Edition. But how many games can you actually store and play? As an all-digital console, understanding the PS5 Digital Edition‘s effective capacity is critical – especially with some AAA games consuming over 100GB per install. Let‘s take an in-depth look at realistic storage space and how to maximize your library.

TL;DR

The PS5 Digital Edition can hold 10-15 average sized next-gen games on its 667GB of usable internal SSD storage. Installing a 1-2TB NVMe M.2 expansion drive allows for 25-50 more PS5 game installs. Overall storage needs will also depend on how many retro PS4 titles you want quick access to.

The Digital Edition‘s Real Storage Capacity

While advertised as 825GB, the PS5 Digital Edition only gives you 667GB of usable storage out of the box according to Sony. Why the discrepancy? The PS5 operating system and system files take up a reserved chunk of the SSD.

Out of that 667GB, you‘ll need room left over for game save files, capture gallery, and system caching/buffering. Realistically, you can utilize around 600GB for games themselves.

Now what does that translate to in terms of actual PlayStation titles? Here‘s a quick snapshot:

As you can see, storage capacity ranges wildly depending on the mix of games. But focusing just on the largest PS5 titles, you‘ll likely max out at 10-15 full installs before needing to delete or offload some games.

Sony themselves estimate 36GB as the average PS5 game size during their testing. But many launch titles and Sony exclusives surpass 50GB:

• Marvel‘s Spider-Man Remastered: 105GB
• Demon‘s Souls: 66GB
• NBA 2K21: 101GB
• Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War: 95GB (with texture packs)

Third party publishers are also warning that current gen game installs could balloon up to 200GB in some cases as assets become more complex.

In reality, 15 AAA games might be the absolute max assuming you have zero other media. Mixing in indie games and PS4 titles will help stretch the capacity further of course.

Comparing Disc vs Digital Storage

It‘s worth mentioning that the standard PS5 with a disc drive faces all the same storage constraints. The only advantage is that disc copies avoid you having to download the full game.

Install size from the disc will be virtually identical to the digital version. SO you don‘t gain any usable capacity by going physical – the storage math works out the same.

Expanding Your PS5 Storage

Thankfully, both PS5 models allow you to install an M.2 NVMe SSD drive into a dedicated expansion slot to dramatically increase capacity. Compatible drives can add up to 4TB of storage.

Here‘s a rough estimate of capacity gains:

As you can see, adding a spacious 1-2TB SSD allows for a library of 25-50+ PS5 game installs. Make sure to get a fast Gen4 model like the Samsung 980 Pro to match the PS5‘s performance.

I recommend considering the 1TB range as the best value. But opt for 2TB if you want to future proof for next-gen titles, downloadable content, and backwards compatible PS4 installs.

Digital vs Physical – Which Is Better?

With storage demands skyrocketing this generation, is buying physical discs still preferable? Here‘s a quick pros vs cons comparison:

Digital Games

Pros:

• Convenience of downloads
• Remote play enabled
• Game sharing options
• Frequent sales on PlayStation Store

Cons:

• No ability to resell or trade in
• No discounts on used copies

Physical Discs

Pros:

• Tangible resale value
• Lend or gift games to friends
• Discount prices on used game market
• Collector appeal for fans

Cons:

• Need disc to play (can‘t go all digital)
• Risk of scratches, damage, or loss

Whether you go all digital or want physical flexibility comes down to personal preference. But both PS5 versions face the same storage crunch either way.

The Verdict

While the PS5 Digital Edition technically has 825GB of SSD storage, the real usable capacity sits around 600GB after accounting for system files and overhead. This allows for 10-15 fully installed AAA PS5 games before needing to upgrade.

Assuming average game install sizes increase to 50-100GB each, I strongly recommend PS5 owners invest in a 1-2TB NVMe M.2 expansion drive. This adds room for 25-50 more digital game installs. Combined with an external HDD for PS4 games, you‘ll have a nicely expanded games library.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to offer advice on great PS5 storage upgrades and help maximize your digital library capacity.