Breaking Storage Desk · Updated Nov 10, 2026

Make room for GTA VI

GTA VI is a huge install: Rockstar says the pre-load needs up to 212 GB OFFICIAL, and trackers measured about 225 GB installed on Xbox REPORTED · NOT OFFICIAL. If your console is already full, here is what works, straight from the PlayStation and Xbox support pages.

Heads-up

SSD prices

SSD prices have climbed hard this fall. Notebookcheck reported on Oct 25 that a memory shortage is pushing SSD prices up sharply REPORTED. Black Friday (Nov 27) and Cyber Monday (Nov 30) may bring deals, but nobody can promise that. If you need the space for launch night, compare today's price with what you're willing to pay.

Source: Notebookcheck, Oct 25, 2026

PS5 & PS5 Pro

PS5: add an M.2 SSD

Sony's requirements OFFICIAL. If a drive misses one of these, skip it.

  • Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD. SATA M.2 drives are not supported.
  • Capacity: 250 GB to 8 TB.
  • Speed: 5,500 MB/s sequential read or faster is recommended.
  • Cooling: the drive needs a heatsink (built-in is fine). Don't add a second one to a drive that already has one.
  • Size with heatsink: up to 25 mm wide and 11.25 mm thick. Lengths 2230 to 22110 fit.
  • Before you install: update your PS5 to the latest system software.

Source: PlayStation Support: How to add M.2 SSD storage to PS5 consoles (checked Nov 10, 2026). Sony also says it can't guarantee every drive that meets the specs will work.

Pick 1 · 2 TB

WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink

PCIe Gen4 NVMe with a heatsink already fitted. 2 TB holds GTA VI several times over.

Up to 7,300 MB/s read (maker's spec)

Check today's price on Amazon
Pick 2 · 2 TB

Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 2TB

Another PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive with a factory heatsink. Good backup if Pick 1 is sold out.

Up to 7,450 MB/s read (maker's spec)

Check today's price on Amazon
Smaller budget · 1 TB

Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB

Same drive, half the space. Enough for GTA VI plus a few more games.

Up to 7,450 MB/s read (maker's spec)

Check today's price on Amazon

Some of these listings are sold by third-party sellers right now. Look at "Ships from / Sold by" before you buy.

Xbox Series X|S

Xbox: use a Storage Expansion Card

What Xbox Support says OFFICIAL:

  • The Storage Expansion Card adds 2 TB, 1 TB or 512 GB and performs identically to the console's internal SSD.
  • Games optimized for Xbox Series X|S must be installed on the internal SSD or a Storage Expansion Card to play.
  • A USB 3.1 external drive (128 GB minimum) can store games, but you can't play Series X|S optimized games from it.
  • Xbox Support points to Seagate and Western Digital for card help.

Source: Xbox Support: Use the Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (checked Nov 10, 2026).

Pick 1 · 2 TB

SanDisk Optimus GX C50 2TB Expansion Card

The C50 card line (originally sold as WD_BLACK C50) plugs into the expansion slot on the back of the console.

Plug-in card for Xbox Series X|S

Check today's price on Amazon
Pick 2 · 512 GB

Seagate Storage Expansion Card 512GB

Seagate's card, the original Xbox Series X|S expansion option. Stock comes and goes, so the listing may show other sellers.

Plug-in card for Xbox Series X|S

Check today's price on Amazon

Watch out for no-name "expansion cards" in search results. Stick to brands Xbox Support names.

Guide

Launch-night extras

A spare controller means nobody waits for a charge at 2am.

Breaking

Don't waste money

  • PS5: no PCIe Gen3 or SATA M.2 drives. Sony requires Gen4.
  • Xbox: GTA VI is a Series X|S game. Xbox says Series X|S optimized games must run from the internal SSD or an expansion card, so a USB drive can park it but not play it.
  • Check who sells the drive. In a shortage, third-party listings and fakes show up.
  • Free space first: delete what you don't play. It costs nothing.
Guide

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