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There is no confirmed storage capacity or expansion standard for an unspecified next-generation console, so no single terabyte recommendation is reliable. Choose capacity around the games you want installed and playable at once, then check what kind of expansion the specific console supports before buying a drive.
How to estimate the storage you need
Start with the library you actually want ready to play—not an advertised promise of a fixed number of games per terabyte. Game installs vary, and updates, expansions, language packs, and your choice of titles can change their size.
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- Count the large games you keep installed. Include the games you return to regularly, especially large releases and titles with expansions.
- Add smaller games and captures. Include the other games, screenshots, and video clips you want available without moving or deleting anything.
- Leave working room. Avoid planning to use every available gigabyte; updates and new installs need space too.
- Compare that library with the usable internal capacity. If it falls short, find out whether the console supports playable expansion storage, archive-only storage, or both.
As one manufacturer estimate—not a universal or independently measured game count—SanDisk says a 2 TB SSD can hold 40–50 games, based on an average game size of 36 GB. SanDisk also gives examples ranging from a few gigabytes for some smaller games to more than 50 GB for many AAA games, and 100 GB or more for some games with updates and expansions. Those examples illustrate why a personal library estimate is more useful than a guaranteed “games per terabyte” figure. SanDisk’s storage guidance
Know whether extra storage can play games
“More storage” can mean different things. Some drives let you launch supported games directly; others mainly provide space to store games until you move them back to the console. Current PlayStation and Xbox systems illustrate the distinction, but their rules do not establish what a future console will support.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
PlayStation 5: M.2 expansion can run PS5 games; USB is useful for archiving
Sony says a compatible installed M.2 SSD can download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games. An M.2 drive is not a buy-any-drive upgrade: Sony requires an M.2 NVMe SSD, effective heat dissipation, and a drive that fits the console’s specifications; M.2 SATA drives are unsupported. Sony also cautions that not every compatible drive will necessarily match the internal SSD’s performance. Check Sony’s current PS5 M.2 SSD requirements before choosing a model.
USB extended storage is a different option. On PS5, PS4 games can be played directly from USB, but PS5 games stored there must be copied back to console or M.2 storage before they can be played. Sony lists a supported capacity range of 250 GB to 8 TB for USB extended storage. Sony’s PS5 extended-storage guidance
Rank #2
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
Xbox Series X|S: expansion cards and USB have different roles
Xbox Wire’s 2020 launch-era guidance says Xbox Series X|S-optimized games need internal storage or a console-specific Storage Expansion Card for direct play. USB HDDs and SSDs can store games and directly run Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles. The guidance describes the card as matching the internal SSD’s sustained performance; check present-day options and availability before buying. Xbox Wire’s storage explainer
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In an interview in that explainer, Jason Ronald, Xbox Director of Program Management, said: “You can play directly from the Storage Expansion Card and you will have the exact same experience and performance as if the game was running from the internal SSD.” That claim concerns the Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card, not a generic USB drive or an unannounced console.
Rank #3
- EFFORTLESS XBOX INTEGRATION. Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
- ROOM FOR MORE GAMES. Up to 2TB(1) of storage gives you space to grow your library by up to 50(4) more games.
- NVME SPEED YOU CAN FEEL. Low-latency performance matches Xbox Velocity Architecture, so games play directly from the card.
- QUICK RESUME READY. Instantly switch between multiple suspended games without losing progress or waiting.
- XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE. Enjoy a 1-month trial with access to hundreds of games across console, PC, and cloud(2).
Compare the options for your console
| Storage choice | Can you play games directly? | Compatibility to check | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal storage | Yes, for supported games | Console’s installed capacity and available space | Games you want ready without transferring |
| PS5-compatible M.2 NVMe SSD | Yes, PS5 and PS4 games, when compatible and installed | Sony’s current performance, fit, and heat-dissipation requirements | Adding playable capacity to a PS5 |
| USB extended storage on PS5 | PS4 games can play directly; PS5 games must be copied back to console or M.2 storage | Sony lists 250 GB to 8 TB for PS5 USB extended storage | Archiving PS5 games or playing PS4 games |
| Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card | Yes, Series X|S-optimized games, according to Xbox Wire’s 2020 guidance | Console-specific card; verify current options and availability | Adding direct-play capacity for optimized games |
| USB HDD or SSD on Xbox Series X|S | Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles can play directly; Series-optimized games can be stored but need internal storage or an Expansion Card to play | Xbox Wire’s 2020 launch-era guidance; verify present-day compatibility | Archiving titles or playing supported older-generation games |
These are examples from existing consoles, not specifications for the next generation. No future-console capacity or expansion standard is established by the sources cited here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When deleting or moving games may be enough
If your console’s library is only occasionally crowded, adding a drive may not be necessary. Sony says PS5 users can delete games and applications, re-download purchases from their library, or move games to another supported storage location. Some games also let you delete selected portions of their data. Re-downloading is a practical alternative when you have reliable access to your library and enough time and internet capacity to retrieve a game when you want it. Sony’s guidance on deleting and managing PS5 games
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BLAZING SPEED. COOL VICTORY: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 with Heatsink SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds and Heatsink for improved temperature control
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND**: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s* you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0*** powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- MADE w/ PS5 IN MIND: Ultra-slim Integrated Heatsink is designed to dissipate heat from your device to stabilize its temperature and prevent performance issues; It’s compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCI-SIG D8 standard desktops and laptops****
Rank #4
- PCIe 4.0 SSD Extreme Performance: M.2 SSD 1TB adopts PCIe Gen 4 x 4 controller, supports NVMe 2.0 technology, featuring sequential read/write speeds of up to 7000/3000 MB/s, the PCIE 4.0 1TB SSD NVMe SSD is fit for most motherboards and Desktops, Laptops, All-in-one PCs, and etc, FANXIANG S880E SSD delivers incredible storage performance
- NVME SSD for Gaming: Designed for hardcore gamers, S880E PCIe 4.0 SSD is compatible with PS5 and DirectStorage, enables faster loads for an extreme gaming experience, and it is your best partner for victory in Game. Upgrade your game console storage, enabling a extraordinary experience in game
- Professional Performance for Working: Built-in high-quality 3D NAND flash memory that delivers incredibly high transfer speeds for short boot time, fast application loading, and fast file processing. M.2 SSD 1TB is designed for high performance, and enabling a extraordinary experience in productivity for professionals, and videomakers even under heavy workloads
- Efficient Thermal Control: The sticker of the S880E M.2 SSD is specially designed.We have added a graphite coated copper foil layer and an aluminum foil layer,which can effectively help reduce the temperature of the PCIe 4.0 SSD when it is working. Even during high-graphic games, high performance can be maintained, and the reading speed can still be close to the peak
- 5-Year Service: Our 1TB NVMe SSD come with a 5 years after-sales service and lifetime technical support. FANXlANG is a trustworthy storage product brand with more than 20 years of manufacturing experience
What to do before buying for a future console
- Wait for the exact console’s official storage specifications if direct-play expansion matters to you.
- Confirm whether a proposed drive can launch games or only store them for later transfer.
- Check compatibility, capacity limits, physical fit, and any cooling requirements against the manufacturer’s current guidance.
- Compare the total cost of supported expansion with the convenience of deleting, redownloading, or moving games.
- Recheck game sizes and product availability near purchase time; both can change.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
