Topic: External HDD support is finally coming!!

i assume you'll have to reformat the HDD to ex-Fat? i was kind of hoping that digital foundry would have done something on whether there is any impact on performance running from an external drive. i can't see how this could be just as good as running off the internal drive tbh. exporting gameplay videos or backups to an HDD from PS4 seems to take an age currently.

i've got a 2Tb in my regular PS4 (with 700-800mb free), and a 1Tb in the Pro (i've only installed a few games which have been specifically patched for it, so still have about 650 gb free) so will probably be ok for a year or so at least.

Seagate 5TB USB3.0 for £120 (£22 per TB) - newer version of the one I have for my XB1. Best price I have seen so far. http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2465629

I am beta testing the new firmware, I've installed War Thunder and COD IW and the games run smoothly. I bought a USB 3.0 4TB Seagate external drive running at 7200RPM. I've moved the games I hardly play to the external drive. it took 1.5 hours to transfer approx. 500GB. I have a 2TB in my PS4.

A 4TB drive has 3.86TB of storage after its been formatted by the PS4

*3.68TB of storage

@BAMozzy I have been looking at that and have the money set aside but I won't buy it until I know for sure that it will work with the PS4.

@Speedy67 I'm feeling the same, but definitely need it 4 months ago. Having to clear up old games to make space is just heartbreaking.

@Tasuki No reason why it shouldn't. All externals work the same way and its USB3.0. Inside the casing is no different from the HDD inside your PS4 - a bit thicker for storage but essentially the same. The 2TB 2.5" Barracuda HDD, the model of HDD you could use for the PS4 is probably inside this - just the thicker model. It has the same speed as the internal for read and write, the USB3.0 is faster than SATAII - not that you will push that anyway because HDD's are not fast enough to max out these connections.

What we do know is that it has to be USB3.0 and upto 8TB. If its like XB1, it can't be less than 256GB but as all externals work the same way, I can't see why this won't work. It does need its own power supply so will take up an additional plug socket.

I can understand why you may want to wait but I would be surprised if its not suitable as its no different from any other USB3.0 external.

@BAMozzy what do you think of this one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017KE8OG0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_t...

I like that it is USB powered so not taking up another power socket.

@crippyd Very reasonably priced and no doubt a great alternative. Usually the USB powered HDD's are a lot more expensive. I expect that it also has the same HDD inside as the one I linked and both USB3.0. I know the 2TB version uses a 2.5" drive and some PS4 owners have bought these to split open for the HDD inside to swap for their PS4's drive.

This is why I am sure these will work with the upcoming update. The drives are all pretty much the same as an Internal!! As long as its USB3.0 to be able to transfer data fast enough, then I really can't see how these would not be suitable. What do people want? Sony to slap their badge on an External and charge £50 per TB? In all likelihood, Sony are not going to recommend any External HDD's in the same way they don't recommend what TV's to plug into - despite the fact they even make TV's. At most they will give some 'general specs' - like must be USB3.0, upto 8TB's - maybe even have a minimum size. But all are essentially the same - whether you buy a Seagate, WD, Toshiba etc or whether you opt for a 'portable' (powered by USB) or 'desktop' (requiring a plug) they all work the same way.

@crippyd that 4TB seagate drive has an RPM of 5400 RPM. its read/write speed will be slower.
https://www.span.com/product/Seagate-Expansion-Portable-Drive...

The one I'm using has RPM of 7200.
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/4tb-seagate-stdu4000201-backu...

Or you could opt for an SSD drive if you want to splash out.

@Grey_Area It maybe 'slower' than yours but its NOT slower than the stock HDD or slower than the majority of internal 2.5" drives that people replace their internal with so it won't negatively impact on loading or installing times. It will perform exactly as the standard drives.

7200rpm drives are more known to have reliability issues long term, more noise and heat too. That particular model you linked was discontinued a few years ago now and Seagate never published the spin speed. I have seen that listed as 5400rpm, 5900rpm and 7200rpm. I know some 'sellers' have it listed as 7200rpm but they have also listed later models as 7200rpm too including the one I have. Its really difficult to find accurate spin speeds on ANY Seagate and I certainly won't trust any sellers.

I think the issue is that Seagate use different speeds for different sizes. The 2TB is more likely to be 7200rpm but the 4TB is more likely to be 5900rpm - because of the extra heat. Thats why they don't publish spin speeds for these because the 4TB is 'slower' than the 2TB version. Its not the same throughout the size range.

They did make a dual 2TB model that were connected internally by RAID which split the data in half (Back Up Plus Fast range) so it stored a bit on both simultaneously to boost read/write times but that was 2x2TB's rather than a 4TB HDD.

@BAMozzy fair point, I always auume that gamers will replace their internal drive for the largest capacity with the best performance drive available. However I think we have to agree to disagree on the other points. I have never had any reliabilty or noise issues with 7200 RPM drives (Western Digital). The discontinued Seagate drive is the same model that is being sold on Amazon, maybe this is why its so cheap. If so then shame on Amazon.

@Grey_Area Most people are more concerned about increasing their storage first and foremost and as most 2.5" drives are no faster than the internal drive Sony put in, there is no 'performance' gains, just increased storage. Some of those that have used 7200rpm drives may see some 'slight' advantages but have also had more heating issues too - especially on the original PS4 which ran quite warm anyway.

I don't know if you used your WD drive everyday - as if it were and internal or used it more for back-up or storage but 7200rpm tend to have a 'shorter' life span and are noisier too compared to a slower speed drive. They make good back up drives - drives where you need to back up quite a lot of data periodically - like once a week/month but for everyday, continuous use, they do tend to wear out quicker. That could mean you get 2-3yrs use compared to 3-4years with a slower speed using them continuously but overall they don't tend to last as long overall.

Amazon, like other retailers, often sell discontinued stock. Seagate have made several 'new' versions of their external HDD and the one I own on my Xbox is also 'discontinued' but still available to buy. You can still buy last years (and older) TV's too and older iPads, iPhones etc that manufacturers are no longer making. This is no different.

More News apparently the PS4 will only be able to use ONE External HDD at a time, no big deal really one 8TB should be more than enough

plus it leaves the other USB port open for other things such as charging your DS4

@BAMozzy WD is used in my laptop and PS4. I've had my PS4 since it was first launched I've not seen heating or noise issues from my WD drives. However if a DISC is in the system then it makes a loud noise. In my experience I've not had any issues with 7200RPM drives that are in constant use. As I said before we just have to agree to disagree.

@FullbringIchigo I figured as much. Then again a person can also just upgrade the internal one as well.

Is there a life expectancy on external HDDs?

@WanderingBullet all depends on how well you take care of it, like any piece of electrical equipment but i have one i have had for years and it's still working fine so you shouldn't worry

@WanderingBullet They are mechanical - unless you buy a SSD and like everything, especially things that you can't really maintain yourself, they don't last forever. If you look after it - not unplug it, drop it or bash it about - especially whilst its spinning, it will last longer.