Gear Buying guide ★ Most asked
Do I need an SSD for GTA 6?
No. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S already have a fast internal SSD, and that's where GTA 6 installs. You only need extra storage if your console is too full. On PS5, add an M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen4, with a heatsink). On Xbox Series X|S, add an official Storage Expansion Card. A USB drive can store PS5 and Series X|S games but can't run them.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Quick answer
- PS5 / PS5 Slim / PS5 Pro: M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen4, Sony recommends 5,500 MB/s or faster, with a heatsink. 250 GB to 8 TB is supported.
- Xbox Series X|S: a Storage Expansion Card (Seagate or WD_BLACK C50) runs Series X|S games like the internal drive.
- USB drives can only 'park' PS5 and Series X|S games. Copy them back to play.
- GTA 6's exact install size is not confirmed yet on this site. Check the size on your console's store page or the preload screen.
- Leave extra free space for day-one and later patches.
Step by step
- Check free space. PS5: Settings > Storage. Xbox: Settings > System > Storage devices.
- Compare it with the GTA 6 size shown on your console's store page or download queue, and add room for updates.
- If you're short, first delete or move games you're not playing. A USB drive is a cheap place to park them.
- Still short on PS5? Buy a PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD with a heatsink (or add a slim heatsink that fits Sony's size limits). Power the console off fully, unplug it, then fit the drive following Sony's official guide.
- Turn the PS5 back on. It will offer to format the new drive. Accept, then set it as the install location if you want new games to go there.
- Still short on Xbox? Plug a Storage Expansion Card into the expansion slot on the back. No tools needed.
Storage options compared
| Option | Works on | Can you play PS5 / Series X|S games from it? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal SSD | All | Yes | Where GTA 6 installs by default |
| M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen4, heatsink) | PS5, PS5 Slim, PS5 Pro | Yes | Adding real space on PS5 |
| Storage Expansion Card | Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Adding real space on Xbox |
| USB external SSD or hard drive | PS5 and Xbox | No (store only) | Parking games you’re not playing |
Which PS5 SSD should I buy?
Any well-known PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive that meets Sony’s requirements works. Popular choices sold in heatsink versions for PS5 include the WD_BLACK SN850X and the Samsung 990 PRO. Buy the size you need now plus some room, because big open-world games and their updates add up.
Which Xbox expansion card should I buy?
Only official Storage Expansion Cards work in the expansion slot: Seagate and WD_BLACK C50. Pick the capacity you need. The cheapest option is a smaller card for your current games, with a USB drive to park the rest.
What we don’t know yet
GTA 6’s installed size on each console, including day-one patches, is not confirmed yet on this site. We’ll measure it on our consoles on launch day and post the numbers on How much storage space does GTA 6 need?.
Common mistakes
- Buying a PCIe Gen3 or SATA M.2 drive for PS5. It needs PCIe Gen4.
- Fitting a PS5 SSD with no heatsink, or one too tall for the slot cover.
- Expecting to play PS5 or Series X|S games from a USB hard drive. You can store them there, not run them.
- Downloading GTA 6 with almost no space left. Updates need room too.