Seagate Game Drive PS5 SSD 2TB Review

28 Oct 2024, 13:22 by Peter Donnell · eTeknix

The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is an officially licensed external SSD that offers a seamless storage upgrade solution for PlayStation 5 gamers. With its sleek design featuring a cool blue LED light strip, it complements the PS5 console aesthetically. Available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, it provides ample space for expanding your game library, eliminating the need to constantly delete and re-download titles. Boasting super-fast speeds thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, the Game Drive ensures minimal load times and swift transfer speeds.

This compact and portable drive is perfect for gamers on the move, allowing you to easily take your entire game collection to a friend’s house or on vacation. Setting up the Game Drive is a breeze with its plug-and-play functionality, and it comes with both USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C adapters for versatile connectivity. If you’re looking to boost your PS5 storage without compromising on speed or convenience, the Seagate Game Drive is definitely worth considering.

Key Features and Specs:

Officially licensed for PS5: Seamless compatibility with your console.
Blazing-fast speeds: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) interface for fast game loading and transfer speeds.
High capacities: Choose from 1TB or 2TB to expand your game library.
Compact and portable: Easily take your games on the go.
Plug and play: Simple setup and easy to use.
USB-C connectivity: Includes USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C adapters for versatile connectivity.

For more information check out the official product page here.

———————–

A Closer Look & Performance

One of the greatest advantages of the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is its seamless integration with your console. Need to free up space on your PS5’s internal SSD for that hot new release? No problem! Transferring games to and from the Game Drive is as easy as dragging and dropping files on your computer, albeit in the PS5 menus to choose to move the files, but it’s the same principle. This means you can quickly archive games you’re not currently playing to the external drive, and just as easily bring them back to the internal SSD when you’re ready to jump back in. No more agonizing over which games to delete and re-download – with the Game Drive, your entire gaming library is always at your fingertips.

Of course, this is only really a benefit if your internet speeds are slower than the transfer speeds of the drive, so this being an SSD with a faster interface is obviously its big advantage. It’s also great if you travel, have more than one system, or have download limits on your internet connection, which can make backups more vital.

But wait, there’s more! Seagate doesn’t just give you a high-performance drive; they also throw in their handy Toolkit software. This nifty tool allows you to easily manage your drive, monitor its health, and even back up your precious game saves. However, this tool kit is for use from a computer/laptop rather than on the PS5 its self, so keep that in mind.

However, let’s face it, losing your progress after hours of gameplay is more terrifying than you would like to admit! With the Toolkit software, you can rest assured that your game data is safe and sound, giving you peace of mind should something go wrong. Albeit, if you drop the drive in acid stored in a magnetic bucket, unlikely I know, then keep in mind there’s only so much software can do to repair a drive. It’s not designed to be a rugged drive, it’s well made through, but there are better options for those who want something more rugged.

Beyond its impressive performance, the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is a stylish companion for your console. Its sleek, minimalist design with a clean white finish and subtle black accents blends perfectly with the PS5’s aesthetic. But the real eye-catcher is the cool blue LED light strip that adds a touch of gamer flair. It’s not overly flashy, but it provides just the right amount of ambient lighting to enhance your gaming setup and simply let you know the drive is powered on. It’s a nice attention to detail from Seagate, as storage can be quite boring really, so I like the bit of visual flair. After all, gaming accessories can be both functional and visually appealing! Plus I’m happy to report that at just over 1Gbps the speeds are great too, and most likely that’ll outpace the speeds of re-downloading most of your games too.

Comparison

Speed: The WD_Black P50 boasts significantly faster speeds thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface. If you crave absolute top performance, the P50 might be the better choice, but it comes at a premium price.
Ruggedness: The Samsung T7 Shield and WD_Black P50 are designed for durability with shock and water resistance. The Seagate drive is more focused on aesthetics at a more affordable price, while the Crucial X8 prioritises portability with a more compact design.
Price: The WD_Black P50 is the most expensive, while the Samsung T7 Shield and Crucial X8 are a little cheaper.

Which is Right for Me?

Speed: WD_Black P50
Travelling: Samsung T7 Shield or WD_Black P50
Budget: Seagate Game Drive or Crucial X8
Style-conscious PS5 owners: Seagate Game Drive

———————–

How Much Does it Cost?

When it comes to pricing, the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 sits comfortably in the mid-range, offering a good balance of performance and affordability. The 1TB model typically retails for around £150, while the 2TB version can be found for approximately £250. This makes it a more budget-friendly option compared to the premium WD_Black P50, which can cost upwards of £350 for 2TB. However, it’s worth noting that drives like the Samsung T7 Shield and Crucial X8 offer similar capacities and speeds at comparable price points to the Seagate Game Drive. Ultimately, your decision may come down to specific features, design preferences, or brand loyalty. Plus, it matches the PS5 aesthetics, and I don’t mind paying a small premium for this. Find out where to buy on the official product page here.

Conclusion

The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 boasts a sleek and modern design that complements the PS5 console perfectly. Its clean white finish with subtle black accents blends seamlessly with the console’s aesthetic, while the cool blue LED light strip adds a touch of gamer flair without being overly flashy. It’s a compact and portable drive, making it easy to take your game library on the go.

Performance

Thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, the Seagate Game Drive delivers impressive transfer speeds, ensuring minimal load times and swift game transfers. While not as blazing-fast as the WD_Black P50 with its Gen 2×2 interface, it still offers a significant upgrade over traditional HDDs and provides a smoother user experience at a much more affordable price than the WD_Black P50.

Features

Beyond its speed and design, the Seagate Game Drive comes with several handy features. The inclusion of both USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C adapters ensures versatile connectivity. Seagate’s Toolkit software allows for easy drive management, health monitoring, and game-save backups, providing peace of mind and added security. Plus, it can be used on many other devices such as your PC, laptop, Mac, etc, but would likely need to be formatted to an appropriate configuration.

Value

The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 offers a good balance of performance and affordability. While it’s not the cheapest option available, its price point is competitive compared to drives with similar features and capacities. The added value of the official PS5 licensing, stylish design, and Toolkit software makes it a compelling choice for PS5 owners.

Should You Buy One?

If you’re a PS5 owner looking to expand your storage without breaking the bank, the Seagate Game Drive for PS5 is worthy of your attention. It offers a good balance of performance convenience, and style, and is a big upgrade from Seagate’s popular external HDD solutions in terms of read/write performance.