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Which SSD to buy to make room for GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series

What drive you need to expand your PS5 or Xbox Series before GTA 6: Sony's requirements, models that meet them, which capacity makes sense and how to install it.

By Precio GTA 6 Editorial Team Published on Updated on

Rockstar has not said how big GTA VI is, but it will be a large game, and the pre-load starts on 12 November. If your console is short on space, the easiest option is to expand it beforehand. This guide covers which drive each console needs, which models qualify and which capacity makes sense.

Will GTA 6 fit on your console?

Check how much free space your console has, enter it here and we will tell you whether GTA 6 fits or how much you are missing.

Your console
GB

You can see it in your console's storage settings.

Rockstar has not published GTA VI's official size yet. We calculate with an estimate of 150 to 200 GB and will update it as soon as there is an official figure.

PS5: an M.2 SSD that meets Sony’s requirements

The PS5 (original, Slim and Pro) has an internal slot for a second SSD. Sony requires:

  • M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 format.
  • A read speed of 5,500 MB/s or more.
  • A capacity of 250 GB to 8 TB.
  • A heatsink, pre-fitted or added separately. Models with one built in are the simplest option.

These three meet every requirement and come with a heatsink:

ModelWhy
WD_BLACK SN850X (1 or 2 TB)Well proven on PS5; the heatsink version is easy to find
Samsung 990 PRO (2 TB)Among the fastest, with a heatsink version
Crucial T500 (1 TB)Often a little cheaper than the other two

When you buy, check the exact model is the heatsink version: listings with and without one look very similar.

How to install it

With the console off and unplugged, remove the side cover (on the Slim and Pro, a panel), screw the drive into the slot and, when you switch it on, the PS5 formats it. It takes about ten minutes and you only need a Phillips screwdriver.

Xbox Series X|S: expansion card

Xbox Series consoles do not take an internal M.2 SSD. They are expanded with dedicated expansion cards that plug into the back, with no need to open anything:

  • Seagate Storage Expansion Card, the long-standing official option.
  • WD_BLACK C50, Western Digital’s alternative with the same performance.

They cost considerably more per gigabyte than a PS5 SSD. An external USB drive can store games you are not playing, but current-gen games like GTA VI cannot run from it.

The 512 GB Xbox Series S will feel it most: it leaves about 364 GB free.

Which capacity?

  • 1 TB: the sensible choice, with room for GTA VI and several other games.
  • 2 TB: if you do not want to think about space again for years. Usually better value per gigabyte.
  • More than 2 TB: only if you keep a huge number of games installed.

Wait for a deal?

There is no way to know whether prices will drop or rise before launch. What we do know is that Black Friday is on 27 November, eight days after release: if you want the drive installed for the 12 November pre-load, you will have to buy it before then.

If you are still choosing a console, see which console to buy for GTA 6.

Frequently asked questions

How big is GTA 6?
Rockstar has not given a size. The figures going around are estimates. For reference, Red Dead Redemption 2 takes up over 150 GB, so expect a big game.
Which SSD is compatible with the PS5?
An M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 drive with a read speed of 5,500 MB/s or more, from 250 GB to 8 TB, with a heatsink. It works for the original PS5, Slim and Pro.
Can I put an M.2 SSD in an Xbox Series console?
No. Xbox Series X|S consoles are expanded with dedicated expansion cards that plug into the back, such as Seagate's or the WD_BLACK C50. A USB drive can store games, but not run current-gen ones.
What capacity should I buy?
1 TB is the sensible choice: room for GTA VI and several other games. 2 TB if you do not want to think about space again for years.