SSD PS5 & Xbox
M.2 NVMe SSDs that work with PS5 and an Xbox Series X|S expansion card: our picks and full guide to installing GTA 6 without running out of storage.
GTA 6 will weigh several hundred GB once updates are added, and the box sold in stores holds only a download code, so storage needs to be ready before November 19. On PS5, an M.2 NVMe SSD with a heatsink expands internal storage within Sony's rules. On Xbox Series X|S, only an official expansion card can do that. Here is our selection and guide to picking the right model.
Our picks
PS5 SSD
WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB (with heatsink)
- ✓PCIe Gen4 NVMe — works with PS5
- ✓Read up to 7,300MB/s, write up to 6,600MB/s
- ✓Built-in heatsink, PS5-compliant dimensions
- ✓5-year manufacturer warranty
Seagate FireCuda 530 1TB (with heatsink)
- ✓PCIe Gen4 NVMe — works with PS5, heatsink designed with EKWB
- ✓Read speeds up to 7,300MB/s
- ✓3D TLC NAND, 1,275TB endurance
- ✓3 years of Seagate Rescue data recovery services
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB (with heatsink)
- ✓PCIe Gen4 NVMe — works with PS5
- ✓Read up to 7,300MB/s, write up to 6,600MB/s
- ✓Twice the room of the 1TB model, built-in heatsink
- ✓5-year manufacturer warranty
Xbox expansion
Seagate Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S, 1TB
- ✓Officially licensed by Xbox, plugs into the back of the console
- ✓No installation needed: ready in seconds
- ✓Matches internal storage performance (Xbox Velocity Architecture)
- ✓Quick Resume compatible
Buying guide
Which SSD should you pick to install GTA 6 on PS5?
Sony sets precise criteria for expanding the PS5's internal storage: an M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen4 x4, with a recommended sequential read speed of at least 5,500MB/s. A heatsink is mandatory — without one, the console throttles the drive heavily to avoid overheating, or refuses to use it for PS5 games at all. Both models in our selection, the WD_BLACK SN850X and the Seagate FireCuda 530, ship with a built-in heatsink and comfortably exceed those requirements.
WD_BLACK SN850X or Seagate FireCuda 530: which one to choose?
Both SSDs post very similar read speeds (up to 7,300MB/s), well above Sony's minimum. The FireCuda 530 stands out for its EKWB-designed heatsink and 3 years of included Seagate Rescue data recovery. The SN850X leans on high endurance and a 5-year manufacturer warranty. For installing and running GTA 6 from the PS5, the difference between the two is not noticeable: both comfortably exceed what the console can use.
| SSD | Interface | Heatsink | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD_BLACK SN850X | PCIe Gen4 NVMe | Built-in, 5-year warranty | Reliable storage, general use |
| Seagate FireCuda 530 | PCIe Gen4 NVMe | Designed with EKWB | Included data recovery |
Can you expand Xbox Series X|S storage the way you can on PS5?
No. Unlike the PS5, the Xbox Series X|S does not support installing an off-the-shelf M.2 SSD: Microsoft reserves storage expansion for a proprietary connector, accessible only with an official expansion card (Seagate or Western Digital), which plugs into the back of the console in seconds, no disassembly needed. That is the only way Microsoft recognizes for adding room for Xbox Series X|S games, GTA 6 included.
Should you buy an SSD before GTA 6 launches?
It depends on how much space your console already has used up. If you have several large games installed and don't want to uninstall something every time a new title drops, an SSD or expansion card skips that math when preloading starts on November 10. With GTA 6 preloading requiring up to 212 GB, an extra 1TB comfortably covers the game and its future updates. The breakdown of available space per console is in our article on GTA 6's file size.
Which one for your profile
PS5 player who just wants more room
You want to install GTA 6 without uninstalling anything. The WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB with heatsink is plenty and meets the PS5's requirements.
PS5 with data recovery included
The Seagate FireCuda 530 1TB offers comparable performance, with 3 years of Seagate Rescue service if the drive fails.
Large PS5 game library
Several large games installed at all times: the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB doubles your margin without sacrificing speed.
Xbox Series X|S player
On Xbox, expansion only works through an official card: the Seagate Expansion Card 1TB plugs into the back of the console in seconds, no disassembly needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PS5's internal storage enough for GTA 6?+
On a 2020 PS5 (825GB, about 667GB usable) with several large games already installed, GTA 6 (estimated at 150 to 200GB) may force you to uninstall something else. An extra M.2 SSD avoids that choice. On a PS5 Pro (2TB), there is plenty of room.
Does any M.2 SSD work in a PS5?+
No. Sony requires a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD, with a recommended sequential read speed of at least 5,500MB/s and a heatsink. An SSD without a heatsink, or one that's too slow, is not recognized for launching PS5 games.
Can you add an internal SSD to an Xbox Series X or S?+
No. Microsoft does not allow installing an off-the-shelf M.2 SSD in an Xbox Series X|S. Only official expansion cards, using a proprietary format (Seagate, Western Digital), can expand storage.
How much space should you plan for GTA 6?+
Rockstar has not published an official file size. The most serious estimates sit around 150 to 200GB. We break down the math per console in our article on GTA 6's file size.
Should the SSD go in before or after the November 10 preload?+
Before, ideally. Installing and formatting the drive takes a few minutes on PS5; on Xbox, the expansion card is recognized instantly. Doing it before November 10 avoids waiting around during preload.
Can an external USB drive replace an internal SSD for playing GTA 6?+
No, not on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. An external USB drive can store games to free up space, but they need to be moved back to internal storage, the M.2 SSD, or the expansion card to actually play them.
See also
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