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Will GTA VI fit? 212 GB
Rockstar says the install can take up to 212 GB, depending on your device, plus room for a day-one patch. A launch PS5 has about 667 GB of usable space, a PS5 Slim about 848 GB, and the original Xbox Series S just 364 GB usable. On a crowded drive, 212 GB may not fit.
Fastest free fix: delete finished games (your saves stay in the cloud on PS Plus and Xbox). If you still need room, pick a drive below.
Our PS5 picks
These are M.2 NVMe Gen4 drives with a heatsink, which is what a PS5 needs. 2 TB is the comfortable size for a 212 GB game plus everything else you already have installed. A 1 TB drive can work if you have space to spare, but it's tighter.
| Pick | Drive |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Samsung 990 PRO 2TB with heatsink Samsung 990 PRO 2TB on Amazon → |
| Best value | WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with heatsink WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB on Amazon → |
| Biggest | Samsung 990 PRO 4TB with heatsink Samsung 990 PRO 4TB on Amazon → |
Also solid: Crucial T500 2TB with heatsink on Amazon → (PS5-compatible). Other sizes: WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB on Amazon → · WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB on Amazon →.
PS5 and PS5 Pro: M.2 SSD
This is the best value per terabyte. Here's what it needs:
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe |
| Capacity | 250 GB – 8 TB (get 1 TB minimum for GTA VI; 2 TB is more comfortable) |
| Speed | 5,500 MB/s read or faster recommended |
| Size | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 |
| Cooling | Heatsink required (built-in or add-on) |
How to install it
Install takes about 10 minutes with a small Phillips screwdriver. Power the console off fully (don't use rest mode), lay it down, lift the cover on the stand side, unscrew the M.2 slot cover, seat the drive at a slight angle until it clicks, screw it down, replace both covers, then format the drive when the PS5 prompts you.
Xbox Series X|S: expansion card
Xbox only runs current-gen games from internal storage or an official expansion card. It plugs into the back of the console, with no tools needed.
Seagate 1TB Xbox expansion card on Amazon → · WD_Black 1TB C50 expansion card on Amazon →
Series S owners feel this most. On the original 512 GB Series S, only about 364 GB is usable, so GTA VI plus one other big game fills the drive. A 1 TB Series S has more room, but an expansion card still helps if you keep a large library.
The free option
Delete finished games before you buy anything. You can move last-gen (PS4 / Xbox One) games to a USB SSD and keep them there, which frees internal space for GTA VI. You can't play GTA VI itself from that drive.
Samsung T7 2TB portable SSD on Amazon →
Quick answers
Can I play GTA VI from an external USB drive?
On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, current-gen games must run from internal storage, an M.2 SSD on PS5, or an official expansion card on Xbox. USB drives can only store them.
What SSD do I need for PS5?
An M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD, 250 GB to 8 TB, with a heatsink. Sony recommends read speeds of 5,500 MB/s or faster.
What storage works for Xbox Series X|S?
Official Storage Expansion Cards that plug into the back of the console, such as the Seagate and WD_BLACK cards.
Launch-week alerts
Unlock times, day-one patch size, and new guides the minute they drop. One email when it matters, no spam.