SanDisk Optimus GX PRO SSD for PS5 and PS5 Pro: Prices hit record highs.

A solid-state SSD has long become a mandatory element of the modern gaming ecosystem. Due to the global boom in artificial intelligence data centers and the accompanying shortage of semiconductors, quality flash memory has significantly increased in price. However, the new solution from the famous SanDisk brand sets completely new cost records in the gaming segment.

The popular brand announced the launch of Optimus GX PRO drives. It is important to note a strategic change in branding: the manufacturer abandoned the use of the popular gaming brand WD_Black in favor of the classic SanDisk name. The line includes high-speed solid-state drives from 1 to 8 TB, which have received an official compatibility license from Sony to work on PlayStation 5 consoles and the flagship PlayStation 5 Pro.

Technical specifications

The product was developed with the aim of maximum performance without any compromises. The declared sequential reading speed of most versions reaches a record 7300 MB/s. The only exception is the capacious 8 TB flagship modification, whose speed is 7200 MB/s, which, as before, completely covers the needs of the hardware architecture of the PS5 Pro.

The company is fully confident in the reliability of the component base used, providing a full five-year manufacturer’s warranty on all modifications of solid-state drives.

Price

In contrast to the excellent characteristics, it was the price positioning of the new products that caused the most stormy discussions on the market. The current cost of modifications with temporary discounts looks like this:

• The 1 TB model will cost $380
• The 2 TB model is offered for $760
• The 4 TB model is priced at $1,500
• 8 TB flagship costs an incredible $2960

After the end of the promotion, the base price of the devices will return to the previous level. In this case, the regular price tag for the older 8 TB modification will rise to a significant $3,700. For a visual comparison of the scale of prices: the most advanced game console of the current generation, Sony PlayStation 5 Pro, is officially offered on the market for $900. Thus, the memory expansion card exceeds the console by more than three times the price.

The purchase of the SanDisk Optimus GX PRO line will be an uncompromising step for gamers who want to equip their PlayStation 5 with the most capacious licensed drive from a well-known brand. Considering the premium speed indicators and the significant volume of the flagship at 8 TB, the device solves the problem of lack of space for years to come. However, due to the extreme markup for official licensing, this SSD series is aimed mainly at enthusiasts who are willing to spend multiples of the cost of the console itself on data storage.