Why Is My Sabrent Rocket Plus Overheating In PS5?

You just upgraded your PS5 with a Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD. The extra storage feels amazing. But then something alarming happens. Your console starts getting hot. Games stutter. Maybe you even get the dreaded “Your PS5 is too hot” warning message on your screen. You start to wonder if the SSD was a mistake.

The truth is, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is a fast and popular NVMe drive. It delivers read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and works perfectly in the PS5 expansion slot. But speed generates heat. And the PS5’s expansion slot does not have the best airflow.

The good news? This problem is fixable. You do not need to remove the drive or return it. In most cases, the overheating comes down to a missing heatsink, poor thermal contact, dust buildup, or the way your console is positioned.

This guide will walk you through every possible cause and give you clear, practical solutions to bring those temperatures back under control.

Key Takeaways

• The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus can reach unsafe temperatures in the PS5 without a proper heatsink. Tests show that operating without a heatsink can push SSD flash memory temperatures above 60°C, while a good heatsink keeps them around 50°C to 54°C. The difference is significant for both performance and the long life of your drive.
• Thermal pads alone are not enough to cool the SSD. Thermal pads absorb heat but cannot dissipate it efficiently on their own. You need a metal heatsink that pulls heat away and spreads it across a larger surface area. A thermal pad works best as the interface between the SSD and the heatsink.
• The PS5 expansion slot has limited airflow by design. Sony’s expansion bay sits beneath a cover plate, and the internal fan does not push a strong stream of air directly over this slot. This means the SSD relies heavily on passive cooling, which makes a quality heatsink essential.
• Dust buildup inside the PS5 makes overheating worse over time. The PS5 has built in dust catchers, but after months of use, fine particles still enter the system. Dust on the fan blades and heat sinks reduces the console’s overall cooling ability, and this affects the SSD too.
• Proper console placement plays a bigger role than most people think. A PS5 sitting on carpet, inside a cabinet, or pressed against a wall will run hotter than one placed on a hard surface in an open area. Keep at least 10 cm of clearance around all vents.
• Regular maintenance and correct installation solve most overheating issues. Checking the heatsink contact, replacing thermal pads, cleaning dust, and keeping the console ventilated will prevent the vast majority of SSD overheating problems.

Understanding the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus and Its Heat Profile

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is a PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD that uses the Phison E18 controller. It delivers sequential read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,850 MB/s. The PS5 recognizes this drive at about 6.5 GB/s, which is well within Sony’s recommended speed range.

Fast NVMe controllers produce heat as a byproduct of their performance. The Phison E18 chip is one of the hottest controllers in the PCIe 4.0 generation. During heavy read and write operations, this controller can push temperatures past 70°C without any cooling solution. The operating temperature range for the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is 0°C to 70°C, which means anything above that threshold risks thermal throttling or even data errors.

The drive ships with a thin metal label that acts as a basic heat spreader. Independent tests show that this thin spreader holds temperatures around 78°C to 79°C under sustained loads on a PC motherboard. Inside the PS5, the enclosed expansion slot can trap that heat further. The PS5’s internal cooling system uses negative pressure to pull air through the console, but the expansion bay receives only minimal airflow from this system.

This is why you need to understand the drive’s thermal characteristics. The SSD is fast and reliable, but it was built with the expectation that the user would add proper cooling. Without a heatsink, the drive will get hot. Inside the PS5’s tight expansion bay, it will get even hotter. The heat is not a defect. It is physics.

Why the PS5 Expansion Slot Gets So Hot

The PS5’s M.2 expansion slot sits directly beneath the console’s outer shell cover plate. Sony added this slot so users could expand their storage with off the shelf NVMe drives. But the slot was designed with a small footprint, and it does not have dedicated cooling.

The main cooling fan inside the PS5 focuses on the APU (the main processor and GPU chip) and the system memory. The expansion slot sits off to the side, away from the primary airflow path. Sony provides a metal cover plate that screws over the expansion bay. This plate acts as a basic heat conductor, but it also traps warm air inside the bay if no heatsink is present.

Thermal imaging tests from independent reviewers show that the back of the PS5 near the expansion bay can reach 60°C or more during demanding games. The FLIR images confirm that the area around the SSD runs significantly warmer than other sections of the console. This trapped heat has nowhere to go quickly, so it sits around the drive and raises temperatures.

The bottom line is straightforward. The PS5 expansion slot is adequate for SSDs that have proper cooling attached. But it is not designed to cool a bare drive on its own. If your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is overheating, the expansion slot’s limited airflow is one of the primary reasons.

The Heatsink Factor: Why You Absolutely Need One

This is the single biggest reason Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus drives overheat in the PS5. Many users install the SSD without a heatsink and rely on the thin heat spreader label that comes on the drive. That label is not sufficient for the PS5 environment.

Detailed temperature testing shows a dramatic difference. With a proper heatsink installed, flash memory temperatures on the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus stayed between 48°C and 55°C during 60 minutes of demanding PS5 gaming. Without a heatsink, those same flash memory temperatures rose to 58°C, 61°C, and even 65°C depending on the game. That is a temperature swing of 10 to 15 degrees.

A heatsink works by conducting heat away from the SSD’s controller and flash chips through a thermal pad, then spreading it across a larger metal surface. This metal surface radiates and convects the heat into the surrounding air. Even with minimal airflow, a heatsink dramatically improves the rate of heat dissipation.

Sony itself recommends installing a heatsink on any M.2 SSD placed in the PS5. The console’s official setup guide includes instructions for heatsink installation. If your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is overheating, the first thing to check is whether you have a heatsink installed. If you do, the second thing to check is whether the thermal pad is making full contact with the surface of the drive.

How to Properly Install a Heatsink on Your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus

Correct installation is just as important as having a heatsink. A poorly mounted heatsink can create air gaps that reduce thermal transfer and leave your SSD running hot.

Step 1: Power off your PS5 completely and unplug all cables. Place the console on a flat, clean surface. Remove the side panel by sliding it off according to Sony’s instructions.

Step 2: Unscrew the expansion bay cover plate. You will see the M.2 slot. If your SSD is already installed, carefully unscrew the standoff screw holding it in place and gently remove the drive.

Step 3: Apply a fresh thermal pad to the heatsink if one is not already attached. The thermal pad should cover the full length of the SSD’s chip side. Make sure there are no wrinkles, gaps, or folds in the pad. A smooth, even surface ensures maximum thermal contact.

Step 4: Place the SSD onto the heatsink so the controller and flash chips press firmly against the thermal pad. Some heatsinks use clips or screws to hold the drive in place. Secure them snugly but do not overtighten.

Step 5: Insert the heatsink and SSD assembly into the M.2 slot at a slight angle, then push it down and secure it with the standoff screw. The heatsink should sit flat and should not touch or press against any other component inside the bay.

Step 6: Replace the expansion bay cover plate and reattach the PS5 side panel. Plug everything back in and power on. Check that the PS5 recognizes the drive in Settings > Storage.

Thermal Pads vs. Thermal Paste for PS5 SSDs

Some users debate whether to use thermal paste or thermal pads between their SSD and heatsink. For PS5 SSD installations, thermal pads are the better choice in almost every case.

Thermal paste works well on CPUs and GPUs because those chips have flat metal surfaces pressed tightly against a cooler. An SSD is different. The surface is uneven, with raised controller chips and flash packages. Thermal paste can squeeze out, make a mess, and create incomplete contact across these uneven surfaces.

Thermal pads are soft and compressible. They conform to the shape of the SSD’s components and fill gaps between the chips and the heatsink. This creates a larger area of thermal contact without the risk of paste spreading onto the circuit board. Most aftermarket PS5 heatsinks come with pre cut thermal pads for this reason.

The thickness of the thermal pad matters too. A pad that is too thin will not make full contact. A pad that is too thick may prevent the heatsink from fitting properly in the expansion bay. Most PS5 compatible heatsinks use pads between 1mm and 2mm thick. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific heatsink model.

If your SSD is overheating despite having a heatsink, check the thermal pad. Over time, pads can dry out, shift position, or lose their compressibility. Replacing an old thermal pad with a fresh one can make a noticeable difference in temperatures.

The Impact of PS5 Placement and Ventilation

Where you put your PS5 has a direct effect on how hot everything inside it gets, including your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD. Poor placement is one of the most overlooked causes of overheating.

The PS5 pulls air in through the front vents and exhausts hot air from the back. If the exhaust is blocked or if the console sits in a confined space, that hot air recirculates. The ambient temperature around the console rises, and every internal component runs hotter as a result. This includes the SSD in the expansion bay.

Place your PS5 on a hard, flat surface like a desk or a media stand. Avoid carpet, fabric, or uneven surfaces that can block the bottom intake vents. Keep the console at least 10 cm away from walls, other electronics, or any surface that could restrict airflow.

The PS5 can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientations. Some users report slightly better cooling in the horizontal position because the expansion bay sits higher and allows heat to rise away from the SSD more naturally. Try both orientations and monitor your results.

Avoid placing the PS5 inside a closed entertainment center or TV cabinet. These enclosed spaces trap heat and can raise ambient temperatures by several degrees. If you must use a cabinet, make sure it has open backs and sides, or install a small USB powered fan to push air through the space.

Dust Buildup and Its Effect on SSD Temperatures

Dust is a silent enemy of electronics. Over months and years of use, your PS5 collects dust on its fan blades, heatsinks, and air pathways. This dust acts as an insulating blanket that prevents heat from escaping efficiently.

The PS5 includes removable panels and dust catchers that make basic cleaning easier than on many consoles. But these catchers only trap some of the dust. Fine particles still work their way into the internal cooling system. When the main cooling fan is coated in dust, it moves less air. When the internal heatsinks are covered, they dissipate less heat.

This overall reduction in cooling capacity affects the SSD too. Even though the expansion bay has its own cover plate, the ambient temperature inside the console rises when dust buildup reduces cooling performance. A PS5 running 5°C hotter overall will make every internal component, including your SSD, run 5°C hotter.

To clean your PS5, power it off and unplug it. Remove the side panels and use a can of compressed air to blow dust from the fan blades, vents, and any visible heatsink surfaces. Be gentle and keep the can upright to avoid releasing liquid propellant. Do this every 3 to 6 months, or more often if you have pets or live in a dusty environment.

Firmware Updates and Software Checks

Sometimes overheating is not purely a hardware issue. The PS5’s system software includes thermal management features that monitor and regulate temperatures. Keeping your console’s firmware up to date ensures these features work correctly.

Check for PS5 system updates regularly. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. Sony periodically releases updates that improve fan control algorithms and thermal management. An outdated firmware version might not spin the fan up quickly enough during heavy loads, leading to higher temperatures across the board.

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus also has its own firmware. Sabrent provides a free tool called Sabrent Rocket Control Panel for PC that lets you check and update your SSD’s firmware. Firmware updates can improve power management and reduce unnecessary heat generation during idle or low use periods. You will need a PC with an M.2 slot to update the SSD firmware.

Additionally, check your PS5 storage settings. Go to Settings > Storage and confirm that the Sabrent drive is recognized and functioning correctly. If the PS5 reports errors or cannot read the drive, the SSD may be working harder than normal, generating more heat. A corrupted database can also cause excessive read and write activity. Use the Rebuild Database option in Safe Mode if you suspect this is happening.

Game Intensity and How It Affects SSD Heat

Not all games heat up your SSD equally. Some titles push the PS5 harder than others, and this directly affects how warm your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus gets during play.

Testing from TweakTown showed that Spider Man: Miles Morales with ray tracing enabled pushed SSD flash memory temps to 55°C with a heatsink and over 63°C without one. By contrast, games with less graphical intensity produced lower temperatures across the board. Open world titles with dynamic weather, dense environments, and 4K ray tracing demand the most from both the PS5’s processor and the SSD.

The PS5 streams game data from the SSD constantly during play. Open world games with large environments load terrain, textures, and assets in real time as you move through the game world. This constant streaming activity keeps the SSD busy and generates sustained heat rather than brief spikes.

If you notice overheating only during specific games, this is likely the reason. You can reduce the load slightly by choosing Performance Mode (60 FPS) over Fidelity Mode (30 FPS with ray tracing) in games that offer both options. Performance Mode often uses lower resolution assets and fewer lighting effects, which reduces the data streaming demands on the SSD.

Signs Your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus Is Overheating

Knowing what to look for helps you catch overheating before it causes damage. Here are the clear warning signs that your SSD is running too hot in the PS5.

The most obvious sign is the on screen warning message. When the PS5 detects critically high temperatures, it displays “Your PS5 is too hot. Turn off your PS5 and wait until the temperature goes down.” This message means the console’s thermal sensors have crossed a danger threshold. The SSD may or may not be the direct cause, but it is definitely contributing to the internal heat load.

Game stuttering and frame drops can also point to SSD overheating. When an NVMe drive reaches its thermal throttling point, it reduces its read and write speeds to protect itself. This means game assets load slower, causing visible hitches, texture pop in, and momentary freezes during gameplay.

Longer load times that get worse during extended play sessions are another indicator. If a game loads in 5 seconds when you first turn on the console but takes 15 seconds after two hours of play, thermal throttling is likely reducing your SSD’s performance.

Random crashes or the PS5 shutting off unexpectedly can also be linked to overheating. The console has automatic shutdown protection that activates when temperatures reach critical levels. If this happens repeatedly, the SSD temperature is one of the things you need to investigate.

The PS5 Expansion Bay Cover Plate Debate

An interesting finding from temperature tests is that the metal cover plate Sony provides for the expansion bay can actually trap heat rather than help dissipate it.

When a heatsink is installed on the SSD, the cover plate works fine. The heatsink absorbs heat from the drive and conducts it upward, where the cover plate can help spread it further. But when no heatsink is present, the cover plate creates a sealed pocket of hot air around the bare SSD. With no way for that hot air to escape quickly, temperatures climb.

Some users have experimented with leaving the cover plate off entirely when running without a heatsink. While this does improve temperatures slightly by allowing passive air exchange, it also exposes the SSD to dust and removes the small amount of structural protection the plate provides.

The best solution is straightforward. Use a heatsink and keep the cover plate on. This gives you the best thermal performance and the protection that Sony intended. If you temporarily cannot get a heatsink, removing the cover plate is a short term option, but you should plan to install a proper heatsink as soon as possible. Running without both a heatsink and a cover plate long term is not recommended.

Long Term Effects of Overheating on Your SSD

Persistent overheating does not just cause performance issues during gaming. It can shorten the lifespan of your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus over time. Understanding these risks motivates proper cooling measures.

NAND flash memory cells degrade faster at higher temperatures. The electrons stored in each cell become less stable as heat increases. Over months and years of operation at elevated temperatures, this leads to higher bit error rates and reduces the total number of reliable write cycles the drive can perform. The SSD’s controller works harder to compensate through error correction, generating even more heat in a damaging cycle.

The Phison E18 controller itself can also suffer from prolonged thermal stress. Controller chips that consistently operate near their maximum temperature rating experience electromigration, a process where metal atoms in the chip’s wiring slowly drift out of position. This eventually causes circuit failures.

Thermal throttling also creates uneven wear on the drive. When the controller throttles, pending write operations queue up and execute in bursts once temperatures drop. This pattern of heavy bursting followed by throttling is harder on the flash cells than steady, consistent operation at normal temperatures.

The practical takeaway is clear. Keeping your SSD cool is not just about today’s gaming session. It is about ensuring the drive remains fast and reliable for years. A proper heatsink, good airflow, and regular cleaning protect your investment.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist for SSD Overheating

If your Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is overheating right now, run through this checklist to identify and fix the problem.

Check for a heatsink. If you do not have one installed, get one. This single step solves the overheating issue for most users. Make sure the heatsink is compatible with the PS5’s expansion bay dimensions.

Inspect the thermal pad. If a heatsink is already installed, remove it and check the thermal pad. Look for gaps, dry spots, or shifting that could reduce thermal contact. Replace the pad if it looks worn or compressed.

Clean your PS5. Remove the side panels and blow out dust with compressed air. Pay attention to the fan, the main heatsink, and the expansion bay area. Dust accumulation can raise internal temperatures significantly.

Check console placement. Move the PS5 to an open area on a hard surface. Ensure all vents have at least 10 cm of clearance. Remove it from any enclosed cabinet or shelf.

Update firmware. Check for PS5 system updates and, if possible, update the SSD firmware using the Sabrent Rocket Control Panel on a PC.

Monitor during gameplay. Note which games cause the most heat and whether the problem occurs only during extended sessions. This information helps you determine if the issue is environmental or load related.

Rebuild the PS5 database. Boot into Safe Mode and select Rebuild Database. This can reduce unnecessary background read and write activity that generates extra heat.

Preventing Future Overheating Issues

Prevention is always easier than troubleshooting. Once you have resolved the immediate overheating problem, take these steps to make sure it does not come back.

Set a cleaning schedule. Mark your calendar to clean your PS5 every three months. Consistent dust removal keeps the cooling system performing at its best. A quick blast of compressed air through the vents takes only a few minutes and can prevent temperature problems before they start.

Choose a quality heatsink with good surface coverage. Look for heatsinks made from aluminum or copper with fins or ridges that increase surface area. CNC machined aluminum heatsinks offer a good balance of weight, fit, and cooling performance for the PS5 expansion bay.

Monitor your gaming environment. Room temperature affects console temperatures. If you game during summer months without air conditioning, your PS5 will naturally run warmer. A small desk fan directed at the console’s intake vents can help during hot weather.

Avoid marathon gaming sessions without breaks. Extended play sessions lasting 4 or more hours build up sustained heat in the console. Taking a 15 to 20 minute break allows the SSD and other components to cool down. This reduces thermal stress and helps maintain consistent performance.

Recheck the heatsink periodically. Every 6 to 12 months, remove the expansion bay cover and make sure the heatsink is still firmly seated and the thermal pad has not deteriorated. This quick inspection takes five minutes and can catch problems before they cause overheating.

FAQs

Does the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus need a heatsink in the PS5?

Yes, a heatsink is strongly recommended. Temperature tests show that running the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus without a heatsink inside the PS5 can push flash memory temperatures above 60°C during demanding games. With a heatsink, those temperatures stay in the 48°C to 55°C range, which is well within the drive’s safe operating specifications. Sony also recommends using a heatsink with any M.2 SSD installed in the PS5 expansion slot.

What temperature is too hot for an SSD in the PS5?

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus has a rated operating temperature range of 0°C to 70°C. Temperatures consistently above 70°C can cause thermal throttling, where the drive slows down to protect itself. Sustained temperatures above 80°C risk data corruption and long term damage to the flash memory cells. Ideally, you want your SSD to stay below 60°C during normal gaming for the best balance of performance and longevity.

Can an overheating SSD damage my PS5?

The SSD itself is unlikely to damage your PS5 directly. However, an overheating SSD adds to the total heat load inside the console. This can raise overall internal temperatures and cause the PS5’s thermal protection to trigger a shutdown. Repeated forced shutdowns are not good for the console. Additionally, an overheating SSD may corrupt game data, leading to save file loss or the need to reinstall games.

How often should I clean my PS5 to prevent overheating?

Cleaning every 3 to 6 months is a good practice for most users. If you have pets, live in a dusty environment, or keep the console on the floor, clean it every 2 to 3 months. Use compressed air to blow dust from the vents, fan blades, and internal surfaces. Regular cleaning maintains airflow and keeps all components, including your SSD, running at proper temperatures.

Will removing the expansion bay cover plate help with SSD cooling?

Removing the cover plate can slightly improve temperatures for a bare SSD that has no heatsink. However, this is not a recommended long term solution. The cover plate provides protection from dust and physical contact. The best approach is to install a proper heatsink and keep the cover plate in place. This combination offers the best thermal performance and protects your SSD from environmental damage.

Can PS5 system updates fix SSD overheating?

System updates can help indirectly. Sony sometimes releases firmware updates that improve the PS5’s fan control algorithms and thermal management systems. These updates can result in better overall cooling performance, which benefits the SSD. However, a system update alone will not fix overheating caused by a missing heatsink, poor thermal pad contact, or blocked ventilation. Software updates should be combined with proper hardware cooling solutions.