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PS5 Pro and SSD buyingguide for GTA 6
Do you need a PS5 Pro for GTA 6, or just more storage? Pros and cons, PlayStation's M.2 SSD rules and the Xbox expansion card.
By Sunset Edition desk2 min read
Should you buy a PS5 Pro for GTA 6?
GTA VI is listed on PlayStation as released for "PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro" and marked PS5 Pro Enhanced Confirmed. What the Pro version will do differently has not been detailed on any page we opened. Unconfirmed That matters, because it is the whole case for buying one.
Price. PlayStation's blog says that from April 2, 2026 the US prices are $649.99 for PS5, $599.99 for the Digital Edition and $899.99 for PS5 Pro. Confirmed
Pros
- 2 TB of built-in SSD (some is reserved for system software), so launch-day storage is less of a worry, though the install size is unannounced.
- PlayStation lists AI upscaling (PSSR), stronger ray tracing and support for 60 and 120 Hz displays.
- GTA VI is flagged as Pro Enhanced.
Cons
- At $899.99 it costs $250 to $300 more than the standard models.
- Rockstar has not shown what the Pro mode changes, so you would be buying on faith.
- GTA VI is playable on any PS5, and the game is not Pro only.
- If your TV is not 4K, many Pro benefits are lost.
Our view, not a fact: wait for Rockstar to show Pro modes unless you wanted the console anyway. If storage is your pain point, a cheaper SSD fixes that. Estimate
PlayStation's official M.2 SSD rules
PlayStation's support page lists these requirements for a drive in the PS5 expansion slot Confirmed:
| Requirement | What PlayStation says |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, Key M |
| Capacity | 250 GB to 8 TB |
| Sequential read | 5,500 MB/s or faster recommended |
| Cooling | A heatsink or similar cooling structure is required |
| Size | Up to 25 mm wide, up to 11.25 mm thick including cooling |
| SATA M.2 drives | Not supported |
PlayStation adds that it cannot guarantee that every drive meeting these specs will work, and performance may not match the internal drive. You can play PS5 games from the M.2 drive. PS5 games stored on a USB drive must be transferred back to the internal SSD to play.
What to look for: a drive with cooling that fits the 11.25 mm limit, a PS5-compatible label from the maker, and a size that matches your game library. Update the PS5 system software first.
Xbox Series storage
On Xbox Series X|S, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card installs in the console's expansion slot, and Seagate says it matches the speed of the internal SSD and plays Series X|S optimized games directly from the card. Confirmed When we checked on October 5, Seagate's page listed it as out of stock, so check availability before planning around it.
Picks
Our pick
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink
Samsung lists it as PS5 Compatible with an integrated heatsink, PCIe 4.0.
Our pick
WD_BLACK SN850P for PS5
Sold by SanDisk as a WD_BLACK SSD for PS5 consoles. Check the page for cooling details.
Our pick
Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
Matches the internal SSD speed, per Seagate. Listed out of stock on October 5.
We list no prices or benchmarks because we have not tested these drives.
Do I need an SSD for GTA 6?
Not necessarily. The install size is not announced yet. See pre-load and file size.
Can I use any M.2 drive?
No. It must meet the specs above and have cooling.
Launch alerts
Get an email when pre-load opens.
One email when pre-load opens and one at launch. We also write if the date, price or file size changes. No spam.
Sources
8 links- New price changes for PS5, PS5 Pro and PlayStation PortalPlayStation Blog, 2026-03-27
- PS5 ProPlayStation
- How to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5 consolePlayStation Support
- Storage solutions for PS5 and PS4PlayStation
- Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStationPlayStation
- Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X and SSeagate
- 990 PRO with HeatsinkSamsung
- WD_BLACK SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5SanDisk
We summarise facts in our own words and link to where they come from. Read the source for the full story.
Last verified Oct 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Suggest an edit.






