Crafty Gamer Modifies PS4 To Run with 2 TB “External” SSHD Drive, Claims Better/Cooler Performance

Most gamers normally purchase consoles and then just play on them without touching the hardware. Some like to be a little crazier and disassemble them to change the thermal paste and do similar small-time maintenance, then there are those that go all out, and prefer to go ahead and change things up a bit more radically.

[crs353]

I STARTED TO DO THIS.... but then I decided against it since I move mine around a lot and didn't feel like having to deal with it.

[Mega24]

lol I haven't moved my since launch day.

[crs353]

I had to show its "Greatness" to some friends. I was going to use a 3tb drive that I had laying around. maybe if i run out of space on my 1tb ( if i do ) I will pursue this now that I know its truly possible and not just an idea.

[trancefreak]

Just got by 1TB Hybrid today. Goin to wait to the weekend to back up my PS4 and install the new drive.

I don't want to rush it, I just rather do it with a clear rested head.

[crs353]

Thats always the best thing to do.

[Jessika_S]

I did 1.5TB, I see no point to this unless your going higher then 2TB seems like a waste of time. I would at least do 4TB if Im going to have a wire sticking out of the side connected to a brick.

[NeoTribe]

Make sure you install the os on a flash drive.

[trancefreak]

Thanks neo I just downloaded it and thanks for the heads up.

[GentlemenRUs]

It's not modifying anything at all, The only thing the user is doing is hooking the external SSHD via a SATA cable and powering the SSHD via an external power supply.

It won't void ones warranty.

EDIT: Though I never really did think of doing that till now, Quite clever...
EDIT2: This means you can actually(If you find/make an external power supply/line) use bigger SATA hdd's.
EDIT3: I used to do this with CD/DVD drives which didn't fit in my PC case.

[MasterCornholio]

That's really neat since it doesn't void your warranty.

:)

[GentlemenRUs]

Yeah, Basically all the user is doing is connecting this http://www.silicon-edinburg... from the PS4's HDD dock to the SSHD SATA port.

No warranty's voided :P

EDIT: I spy a Sports-Direct mug in that photo on that site.

[Grimbarian]

"EDIT2: This means you can actually(If you find/make an external power supply/line) use bigger SATA hdd's."

This is my PS4 in the article ;) At first I tried to power the HDD via the PS4 but it didn't put out enough power for the HDD and wouldn't boot, hence having to use an external mains to molex adaptor (they only cost £14 or so)

http://www.specialtech.co.u...

[Nanux]

Nice work :) Don't burn it :D

[Gamer1982]

Also shuts up those Xbot fanboys who says your cant use external HDDs on PS4. Clearly you can and its really not that hard.. Anybody can do this who knows how to install a HDD.

[pody]

Too bad it ruins the standby feature.

[BattleTorn]

Why was standby affected?

[FanOfRootBeer]

Most likely because the system can't put the external drive into standby mode due to its independent power source.

[BABY-JEDI]

Could always have a semi-standby mode.

[minimur12]

Standby wouldn't be affected.it is an external drive but because of where it's connected the ps4 thinks it's internal. Nothing would be affected for standby mode lmao

Edit:
Fan of

Didn't think about the second power source. Good point.

[SnakeCQC]

external hdds for games are just pure stupid especially for consoles.

[Pricey]

Strictly speaking its still internal from a speed point of view anyway.

[rustyspoon80]

It's not exactly an external HDD in the traditional sense. Unless you mean because its outside of the console.

[Grimbarian]

For me the reason I wanted to do it was speed/value, a 7200rpm 2tb hard drive is better value and provides better performance than any of the internal options which are limited by the PS4 only taking a 2.5" hard drive.

[Abriael]

"external" is beetween airquote for a reason. It's placed outside the PS4, but it works exactly like it was internal.

[Grimbarian]

Exactly ;)

[rustyspoon80]

Is there anyway to power the HDD with USB rather than "another" power supply.

I put a 1TB drive in my PS4 on day 1 so still have a fair bit of space. I was going to buy a 1.5tb 2.5" but it was rather more expensive. 3.5" are a lot cheaper.

[Grimbarian]

"Is there anyway to power the HDD with USB rather than "another" power supply."

With usb from the PS4? Unfortunately it didn't put out enough power for the HDD I went with, I hadn't planned to use an external power supply originally but at first it wouldn't boot, once I realised it may be due to the power issue and tried an external power supply my mind was made for me :)

[Gamer1982]

Yeah Sony have a way of building there systems with just enough juice to run everything its how they get around the need for no power brick also..

[Fishyesque]

I wonder if the fact that you can't put it in standby makes it not worth it. I always have my controller charging when I'm not at home and it's on standby. Thoughts?

[Grimbarian]

I can see where you're coming from, personally as I sleep next to where the PS4 is and the standby light was going to be an annoyance anyway and because I planned to charge the DS4's through external means (I use a mains-USB charger and have a dual DS4 charger ordered) losing access to standby was never a negative in this instance :)

[dantesparda]

You do know that you can charge your ds4 with a smartphone charger right? i do it all th time. I think the only catch is if the charger is to weak, it wont work

[kingduqc]

ps4 use fucking sata 2, does not matter this "next gen" console is already a thing of the past and bottleneck most storage solution to a certain degree

[esemce]

Only SSD's can take avantage of SATA3 no platter based HDD is as fast enough to max SATA2.

[Ingram]

so much derp

[rataranian]

Its already out, so technically ps4 is current gen. :)

[tee_bag242]

True. HDD, Hybrids and Sata 2 SSD's (last gen) would be suit a PS4. Anything faster is bottlenecked by the Sata 2 connection. Crying shame

If I were doing an upgrade I'd wack a large capacity HDD Hybrid drive inside and call it a day. That way most of the commonly used files (likely OS) would get the SSD boost.
This mod is good and its nice to have choice, but has turned a sleek machine into Frankenstein.

[cell989]

now if only he could puch for Bohemia to bring Arma 3 to PS4

[ziggurcat]

well, this is certainly interesting...

[fatstarr]

so the man did nothing more than add a harddrive with a sata cable....

[Gamer666]

Yep, I don't know how that became crafty, but I have to admit I never thought of doing it...

Even though it is obviously possible and clearly easy to do.

[WitWolfy]

Meh kinda pointless for me ATM. The amount of games out at this stage dont warrant a HDD upgrade...

[badboy776]

Update soon confirmed.

[BABY-JEDI]

Doesn't this crafty-ness scupper the warranty?