LEONIDA GTA REPORT

Breaking Launch Gear Desk · Updated Nov 11, 2026

Gear up 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. Below: the game, the consoles, storage that meets the official PlayStation and Xbox requirements, and the extras that save launch night.

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

The game

Grand Theft Auto VI

Launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S OFFICIAL. Amazon lists both versions as code in box: there is no game disc, you redeem a code. Amazon's listing says it delivers Nov 12 and plays Nov 19.

PS5

Grand Theft Auto VI – PlayStation 5

Physical box with a download code. Works on PS5 and PS5 Pro, disc or digital.

Check today's price on Amazon

Pre-orders: Amazon charges when the item ships. Check the listing for the current release and delivery details.

Consoles

No console yet?

GTA VI is current-gen only: PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. Xbox One and PS4 can't run it (Xbox One players can only stream it through Xbox Cloud Gaming).

PS5

PlayStation 5 Console – 1TB

Sony's current PS5. Check on the listing whether it is the disc or digital model.

Check today's price on Amazon
Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S – 1TB (Digital)

The smaller, all-digital Xbox. Runs Series X|S games like GTA VI; the code-in-box edition works on it.

Check today's price on Amazon
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

Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 2TB

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

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

Sellers change during the shortage. 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 · 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

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

Launch night

Controllers and charging

A spare controller and a charger mean nobody waits for a charge at 2am.

Launch night

Headsets

Leonida's radio deserves better than TV speakers.

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

Get the free Day-One Intel Guide

Storage breakdown, unlock times and a launch-night checklist.

Get the guide