Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature Rockstar’s biggest, most detailed open world to date. This is why the GTA 6 download size on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is massive, around 210 GB. As a result, you’ll need to either delete games to free up storage space or buy a new SSD to make room for GTA 6. If you are going with the latter, check out the best SSDs for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S to prepare your console for GTA 6.
- SSD Requirements for PS5 to Play GTA 6
- Best PS5 SSDs for GTA 6
- SSD Requirements for Xbox Series X|S to Play GTA 6
- Best Xbox SSDs for GTA 6
SSD Requirements for PS5 to Play GTA 6
According to PlayStation Support, you can’t use just any SSD in the PS5 or PS5 Pro. To expand your storage for GTA 6, you’ll need a compatible single-sided or double-sided M.2 NVMe SSD that meets Sony’s requirements and has a suitable heatsink for heat dissipation. So, here are the requirements to install a compatible M.2 SSD drive in the PS5 or PS5 Pro:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCI-Express Gen4x4 supported M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M) |
| Storage | 250 GB – 8 TB |
| Form Factor | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 |
| Heatsink Size | – Width: up to 25 mm – Length: 30/42/60/80/110 mm – Thickness: up to 11.25 mm (up to 8.0 mm above the board, up to 2.45 mm below the board) |
| Read Speed | Recommended 5,500MB/s or faster |
| Socket | Socket 3 (Key M) |
You can buy a heatsink separately, or buy an M.2 NVMe SSD with built-in cooling structures. While this isn’t compulsory, PlayStation recommends it; otherwise, your PS5 disc will overheat without the heatsink, and you definitely don’t want that when you’re exploring the GTA 6 locations.
Best PS5 SSDs for GTA 6
GTA 6’s PS5 features, like adaptive triggers and Tempest 3D audio, will make your experience even more immersive. With SSDs, you can enjoy GTA 6 and other titles with exorbitant download sizes at the same time without rushing to delete games.
So, before we dive into the details of the best PS5 SSDs you can buy to play GTA 6, here’s a quick look at our picks with their read speeds, heatsinks, and prices:
| PS5 SSD | Size | Read Speed | Built-In Heatsink | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD | 2 TB | Up to 7,300 MB/s | Yes | $370-$420 |
| Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD | 2 TB | Up to 7,450 MB/s | Yes | $400-$550 |
| SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850P | 1 TB | Up to 7,300MB/s | Yes | $310 |
| WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD | 8 TB | Up to 7,300MB/s | Yes | $1,500 |
WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD (2 TB)
The WD Black SN850X 2 TB NVMe SSD is an excellent upgrade for the PS5 and PS5 Pro, especially to play GTA 6 at launch, delivering read speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s, comfortably exceeding Sony’s recommended minimum of 5,500 MB/s for compatible expansion SSDs.
Also, the 2 TB capacity gives you plenty of space for GTA 6 and other recent titles like Phantom Blade Zero (review). At the same time, the heatsink version helps keep temperatures under control during long gaming sessions. Major US retailers sell it for around $370-420, so you can’t go wrong.
Samsung SSD 990 Pro (2 TB)
For those preparing their PS5 for GTA 6, the Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB NVMe SSD is another excellent storage upgrade choice. It is one of the fastest SSDs for the PS5, delivering read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s. Additionally, the 2 TB storage should be enough to put GTA 6 along with some other games on your PS5 at the same time.
The dedicated heatsink that comes with the Samsung 990 Pro is another major benefit, and if you have a PC available, you can use Samsung’s software support to play games even better.
On that note, GTA 6’s PC version isn’t coming until early next year, so for now, this will do just fine on your PS5. You can buy this PS5 SSD for around $400 without the heatsink and $550 with it.
SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe M.2 2280 SSD (1 TB)
This SSD is a convenient choice for PS5 and PS5 Pro owners preparing for GTA 6, because SanDisk officially licenses the drive for both consoles and includes a purpose-built heatsink.
The SSD features the PlayStation logo and costs less than most alternatives, partly because it offers 1TB of storage. Like the WD Black SN850X, it delivers a read speed of up to 7,300MB/s.
The hassle-free installation and its guaranteed focus on PS5 compatibility should be enough to consider this SSD a strong option before the GTA 6 release date of November 19. As for price, you can get this one for around $310, which is lower compared to the SSDs we have discussed so far. It also comes with a heatsink, so don’t worry about overheating your PS5 while exploring Leonida in GTA 6.
WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD (8 TB)
Coming back to the WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD for the PS5, this time we have the 8 TB variant to recommend for game hoarders. Like its 2 TB variant, it delivers read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s and comes with a built-in heatsink to cool your PlayStation 5 SSD when you are driving around GTA 6’s Vice City.
However, a major drawback of this SSD will have to be its price, and at most retailers, you can get this for $1,500. Since there’s a RAMageddon going on in the industry, expect even higher prices before you go lower. But if you want to be absolutely ready for GTA 6 and also keep recent releases such as Phantom Blade Zero and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 (review) on your PS5, this is the way to go.
SSD Requirements for Xbox Series X|S to Play GTA 6
Xbox Series X and Series S are also on the GTA 6 platforms list, so naturally Xbox players might want to upgrade their SSDs before the worldwide launch. Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade the internal SSD on an Xbox Series X|S like on the PS5.
Sure, you can replace the internal SSD of an Xbox Series X|S, but it’s incredibly complex and risky, as the internal NVMe SSD is tied to the console’s CPU and motherboard. So, we don’t recommend attempting this procedure.
With GTA 6’s launch just around the corner, risking damage to your Xbox or leaving it unusable before release simply isn’t worth it.
However, according to an Xbox Wire blog on storage expansions, Microsoft supports external Storage Expansion Cards that you can connect externally to the console’s Storage Expansion Port and store more games.
With this, you can directly play games on your console and even use the Quick Resume feature. Based on this, here are a couple of recommendations for an Xbox Series X and Series S SSD:
Best Xbox SSDs (Storage Expansion Cards) for GTA 6
Here’s a breakdown of the best Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox Series X|S you can get to prepare for GTA 6. All of these cards match the Xbox Velocity Architecture, so you don’t need to worry about moving and playing your games repeatedly. You can play them directly from the expansion card:
| Storage Expansion Card | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Seagate Storage Expansion Card | 2 TB | $250-$400 |
| WD Black C50 Storage Expansion Card | 1 TB | $150-$200 |
| SanDisk Optimus GX C50 Storage Expansion Card | 2 TB | $480 |
Seagate Storage Expansion Card SSD – NVMe for XSX (2 TB)
The Seagate 2 TB Storage Expansion Card is a solid upgrade if you’re preparing for GTA 6 on Xbox Series X|S. It delivers SSD-level performance, lets you run optimized games directly, and gives you plenty of extra space without deleting your existing Xbox games such as Forza Horizon 6 (review) or Gears of War: E-Day (review).
Furthermore, this SSD card is extremely easy to install. Just plug it into your Xbox Series X|S and play. It’s designed in partnership with Xbox, so it should also give you peace of mind when buying an Xbox-trusted SSD card. You can purchase this card for around $250-400, but you might need to shell out some extra bucks, given the circumstances right now.
WD Black C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (1 TB)
This is Storage Expansion Card is another great upgrade for Xbox Series X|S owners getting ready for GTA 6. Just plug it into the expansion slot, set it up, and you’re good to go. You don’t need any tools, messy cables, or to open your console. You can run Series X|S games straight from the card, just as you would from the internal SSD.
Since Xbox Series X|S already comes with a standard 1 TB NVMe internal storage, adding another 1 TB should give you enough space to install and keep GTA 6 alongside the best Xbox games for the foreseeable future. At a $150-$200 price point, this officially licensed Xbox SSD is a cheaper option if you want to upgrade your console before GTA 6.
SanDisk Optimus GX C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox (2 TB)
The SanDisk Optimus GX C50 2TB variant gives Xbox Series X|owners another straightforward way to expand their storage ahead of GTA 6. Plug it directly into your console’s expansion slot, and you can run optimized games straight from the card at speeds comparable to the internal SSD.
It’s a bit expensive compared to the rest, priced at $480, but with an upgrade like this, you’re set for GTA 6 and beyond. Fable will debut early next year, so extra storage is always nice to have. You can directly play any Xbox Series X | S-optimized game from this card. You’ll also get a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free with this purchase.
That concludes our comprehensive guide on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S SSDs you should purchase to play GTA 6. Of course, none of the SSDs offer a frame rate boost, so don’t expect GTA 6 to run at 60 FPS cause the game itself is locked at 30 FPS.
You’ll spend less time waiting for games to load and less time juggling storage, making it easier to manage your game library on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
So, are you purchasing a new SSD to play GTA 6 on your PS5 and Xbox Series X|S? Tell us in the comments section below.
