How many GB does the OG PS4 have?
The PlayStation 4 originally launched in 2013 with a 500 gigabyte hard disk drive for storage. This allowed early adopters to install around 10-15 average sized games of the time. However, modern titles can take up over 100GB apiece! Upgrading the internal or adding external storage is highly recommended to keep your OG PS4 going strong.
Inside the 500GB Hard Disk Drive
The PS4 shipped with a 500GB 5400 RPM SATA II hard disk drive. This 2.5-inch drive had a sequential read speed up to 140 MB/s thanks to its 8MB cache buffer. While no speed demon, it was on par with other consumer HDDs in 2013.
Here‘s how it stacks up to alternatives:
| Storage Type | Capacity | Max Speed | Price Per GB |
| HDD (PS4 Stock) | 500GB | 140 MB/s | $0.15 |
| SSHD | 1TB | 400 MB/s | $0.25 |
| SSD | 500GB | 540 MB/s | $0.50 |
As you can see, the stock HDD offers the lowest cost per gigabyte. But upgrading to a speedier solid state drive (SSD) or sshd can improve load times.
Running Out of Room!
While 500GB felt spacious at first, modern games can devour storage space. Here‘s how average PS4 game install sizes increased over the console‘s lifetime:
| Year | Average Game Size | Games On 500GB |
| 2013 | 15GB | 30 games |
| 2016 | 35GB | 12 games |
| 2019 | 75GB | 6 games |
As you can see, just 6-7 of today‘s blockbuster titles can fill up the entire 500GB drive!
Upgrade Options to Make Storage Woes Disappear
Thankfully, there are great ways to expand the storage on your OG PS4. Here are some top options:
Internal HDD Upgrade
Replacing the internal 500GB HDD with a bigger mechanical hard drive or SSD is a direct upgrade. Capacities up to 8TB are supported. Bump up to 2TB for under $100 and never worry about space again!
External HDD/SSD
Connect an external drive via USB 3.0 ports for more storage. Portable drives provide simple plug and play operation. While not as fast as an internal SSD upgrade, external drives start around $50 for 1TB models.
Internal SSD Upgrade (Fastest Option)
Swapping in a speedy internal solid state drive cuts game load times significantly. Booting games from the main menu is up to 4X faster! 500GB SSDs start around $65 with 1TB models going for $100.
Check out our guide below on how to upgrade your OG PS4‘s hard drive.
Step-By-Step: Upgrading OG PS4 Internal Storage
Upgrading the internal storage is straightforward with common tools and takes less than 30 minutes. Here‘s how:
Backup your game data and user profiles using cloud storage or an external drive. This keeps your saves and progress intact.
Power off and unplug your PS4. Discharge static electricity before handling inside components.
Slide off the PS4 case‘s side panel to access the drive bay. Locate and remove the existing 500GB hard disk drive.
- Insert your new 2.5 inch HDD or SSD into the drive caddy. Secure the SATA and power connectors.
- Replace the side panel and power your PS4 back on. Format your new drive when prompted and reinstall games!
While the stock 500GB drive seems small now, the OG PS4 was well-equipped for 2013. Upgrading to a 1-2TB HDD or speedy SSD lets this classic console stay relevant. With tons of great exclusives, the PS4 will keep on gaming thanks to ample expanded storage!
Let us know if this guide helped breathe new life into your OG PS4 down in the comments! Happy gaming!
