SanDisk Releases 8TB PS5 SSD Priced Near $3,000

SanDisk has introduced the Optimus GX PRO series, a range of officially licensed SSDs for PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles, with storage options spanning from 1TB to 8TB. The top-tier 8TB model carries a promotional price of $2,960, surpassing the price of three standard PlayStation 5 units, each priced at $649.99, and exceeding the cost of a PS5 Pro, which retails at $899.99.

SanDisk Optimus GX PRO — officially licensed for PS5 and PS5 Pro, available in capacities from 1TB to 8TB.

The Optimus GX PRO is essentially a rebranded version of the WD_Black SN850X, featuring identical specifications, including write speeds up to 6,600 MB/s and an endurance rating of 4,800 TBW. Buyers pay a premium for the PlayStation-licensed branding, a heatsink optimized for console use, and official certification. The read speeds reach up to 7,300 MB/s for the 1TB to 4TB models, with a slight reduction to 7,200 MB/s on the 8TB version. All models come with a five-year warranty.

The Optimus GX PRO line includes a console-optimized heatsink and a five-year warranty across all capacities.

Current promotional pricing for the Optimus GX PRO line is as follows: 1TB for $380, 2TB for $760, 4TB for $1,500, and 8TB for $2,960. Without discounts, the 8TB model’s price approaches $3,700, with some listings showing a full MSRP as high as $3,828.99 depending on the retailer.

The PlayStation 5 does not mandate the use of an officially licensed SSD. Sony’s specifications allow for any PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive that meets compatible speed requirements. Third-party drives with separate heatsinks can be found for under $300. For example, the WD_Black SN850P, which holds PS5 certification but lacks the Optimus branding, is available in an 8TB configuration for approximately $1,300 on Newegg, less than half the cost of SanDisk’s 8TB drive.

While the licensing fee adds to the cost, it does not translate into notable performance improvements. For most users, choosing a less expensive compatible SSD is more practical. The 8TB Optimus GX PRO is effectively a collector’s item, priced accordingly.

All drives in the Optimus GX PRO series include a heatsink designed for console optimization and carry a five-year warranty. They are currently available for purchase on SanDisk.com, though pricing and availability in the UK have not been announced.