With a gigantic map covering the entire state of Leonida and Vice City, Grand Theft Auto VI will be one of the heaviest and most demanding video games in history. It is estimated that the installation will require between 150 GB and 180 GB of free space, which will devour more than a third of the usable storage of a standard PlayStation 5 (667 GB net in the original model and 848 GB in the PS5 Slim).
To avoid having to uninstall your favorite games or suffer texture drops due to slow streaming, expanding your storage with a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with a heatsink is the best investment before the game’s release.
Below, we select the drives with the best performance, reliability, and value for money on the market.
1. The Gold Standard: WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink
The Western Digital Black SN850X is the preferred drive by the PlayStation community for its total compatibility and extremely low operating temperature thanks to the factory-integrated low-profile heatsink.
- Sequential read speed: Up to 7,300 MB/s.
- Sequential write speed: Up to 6,600 MB/s.
- Compatibility: 100% verified for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PC.
- Recommended capacities: 1 TB (ideal for GTA 6 and a couple of extra games) or 2 TB (absolute peace of mind for the entire generation).
👉 View WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB offer on Amazon (with heatsink)
👉 View WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB offer on Amazon
2. Maximum Top Speed: Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink
If you are looking for the most extreme performance for your PlayStation 5 or high-end gaming rig, the Samsung 990 PRO offers the highest random read and write rates in the PCIe 4.0 category.
- Read speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s.
- Thermal controller: Metal heatsink optimized for the PS5 bay with Dynamic Thermal Guard technology.
- Key advantage: Its 8th generation V-NAND memory reduces fast travel loading times and allows instant loading of high-density urban areas like Starlet Boulevard.
👉 View Samsung 990 PRO 2TB price with heatsink on Amazon
3. Best Value for Money: Crucial T500
The Crucial T500 is the best option if you are on a tight budget but don’t want to compromise on top-tier speeds. Its Phison PS5025-E25 controller offers excellent energy efficiency.
- Read speed: 7,300 MB/s.
- Heatsink: Included from the factory, fits perfectly into the PS5 expansion slot.
- Strong point: Usually found between €10 and €15 cheaper than its direct rivals without any noticeable difference in actual loading times.
👉 View Crucial T500 1TB price on Amazon
Comparison Table of the Best SSDs for GTA 6
| Model | Max Read | Heatsink | Recommended Capacity | Approx. Price | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD_BLACK SN850X | 7,300 MB/s | Integrated | 1 TB / 2 TB | €109 / €179 | Buy on Amazon |
| Samsung 990 PRO | 7,450 MB/s | Integrated | 2 TB | €189 | Buy on Amazon |
| Crucial T500 | 7,300 MB/s | Integrated | 1 TB | €99 | Buy on Amazon |
How to Install an M.2 SSD in Your PS5 Step by Step
The installation does not void your console’s warranty and only requires a Phillips #1 screwdriver:
- Turn off the console completely and unplug all cables. Let it cool down if you have been playing.
- Remove the bottom cover of the PS5 (the one without the PlayStation logo) by gently sliding it towards the base.
- Remove the screw from the M.2 expansion slot and take out the metal spacer located at position 110.
- Place the spacer at position 80 (the standard size for these drives).
- Insert the M.2 SSD into the connector at an angle of about 30 degrees until it clicks firmly into place, and screw it down.
- Reattach the metal protective cover and the outer casing. When you turn on the PS5, the console will prompt you to format the drive in less than 5 seconds.
For details on game pre-orders and console bundles, check out our guide on where to pre-order GTA 6 at the best price and track the remaining days on the official countdown.