SSD in PS4 Pro Reduces Loading Times and Improves Graphics

Digital Foundry experts have looked at what can be gained by installing a high-speed SSD into our PlayStation 4 Pro. As it turns out, quite a lot - this type of storage not only significantly reduces loading times, but also improves visuals in some games.

An SSD is a good investment for PS4 owners.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Installing a high-speed SSD on the PS4 enables us to significantly reduce loading times;
In some games it also helps to deal with slow-reading textures;
The improvement can be noticed even with the drive connected to a USB port;
The SSD also enables us to turn on the console faster and offers several minor benefits.

The editors of Digital Foundry decided to test whether installing an SSD on PlayStation 4 is a cost effective idea. The tests used the 8TB Samsung QVO 870 and the PS4 Pro console. The results are promising - this type of storage allows for significant improvements in game loading times. It is worth noting that the experts have checked how the drive performs both when we install it in the console and when we plug it into the USB port.

Loading times - SSD versus HDD

Game (map)	HDD PS4	Samsung QVO 870 (installed inside)	Samsung QVO 870 (USB port)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Novigrad)	91 seconds	62 seconds	67 seconds
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (White Orchard)	40 seconds	22 seconds	22 seconds
Battlefield V (Nordlys)	59 seconds	34 seconds	30 seconds
Battlefield V (Tirailleur)	66 seconds	36 seconds	31 seconds
Days Gone	87 seconds	50 seconds	47 seconds
Bloodborne	23 seconds	13 seconds	12 seconds
Fallout 4	44 seconds	19 seconds	14 seconds
Final Fantasy VII Remake	33 seconds	20 seconds	19 seconds

Does the SSD improve graphics?

But that's not all - installing an SSD on our PS4 also improves visuals in some games. The best example here is Final Fantasy VII Remake, which on a normal HDD storage has serious problems with loading textures on time and pop-in. A noticeable improvement can also be observed in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Days Gone and Fallout 4.

FFVII Remake - textures on HDD/SSD.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - textures on HDD/SSD.

Fallout 4 - textures on HDD/SSD.

In addition, thanks to the SSD, the console starts up much faster (talking about full boot, rather than waking up from sleep), the games start up more efficiently and without stutters, and the main menu is slightly smoother (although in the latter case, the improvement is marginal - in this respect, the operation of the PS4 is limited mainly by the Internet and network services).

It is worth noting that Digital Foundry experts used one of the top SSD models that are currently available on the market (Samsung QVO 870 8 TB costs almost $1000). However, to achieve a noticeable improvement we do not need to spend so much money - a cheaper drive should also bring good results.