SanDisk’s latest Optimus gaming SSDs start at $799 MSRP for the 2 TB model and you don’t even get Gen 5 speeds for that
SanDisk has launched its new Optimus gaming SSDs with pricing that has drawn criticism from the gaming community. The company released two primary models targeting PC and console gamers.
The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100X is a PCIe Gen 4 M.2 drive offering read speeds up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s. However, it carries a premium price tag of $800 for the 2TB configuration and $1,580 for the 4TB model. The only other Gen 4 variant is the 4TB option at the higher price point.
SanDisk also offers a Gen 5 model that starts at $525 for the 1TB capacity, providing faster speeds than the Gen 4 option but with lower initial storage. Both drives utilize TLC NAND memory rather than more affordable QLC memory, and include a five-year warranty.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing pricing crisis affecting PC storage and memory markets. The pricing structure has drawn particular attention for the Gen 4 model’s cost relative to its specifications, with the 2TB variant notably missing Gen 5 performance while maintaining a steep MSRP. The release targets gamers seeking high-performance storage solutions, though the premium pricing may limit adoption among budget-conscious consumers.