SanDisk's 8TB PS5 SSD costs more than three PS5 Pro consoles

SanDisk has announced a high-capacity SSD for the PlayStation 5, the Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe SSD, available in capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB. The largest option, which SanDisk claims can store up to 200 PS5 games based on average installation sizes, will cost $2,959.99 when it becomes available through the company's online store, discounted from $3,699.99. The price of the 8TB SSD is particularly striking when compared to Sony's console offerings.

Even after taking into account Sony's recent console price hikes, it is possible to buy three PS5 Pro consoles for the price of just one of these 8TB SSDs. The smaller capacity options, while still pricey, may be more palatable to some consumers, but specific pricing for those models has not been disclosed. SanDisk's Optimus GX PRO 850P NVMe SSD is an officially licensed PS5 accessory, indicating that it has been designed and tested to work seamlessly with the console.

This compatibility is likely to be a major selling point for gamers who need additional storage for their PS5 games. The global memory shortage has likely contributed to the high price of the SSD, and consumers may need to weigh the benefits of the increased storage capacity against the cost. Gamers with large libraries of PS5 games may find the SSD to be a necessary investment, but others may be deterred by the high price.

Why this matters: The high price of SanDisk's 8TB PS5 SSD has significant implications for the gaming industry. For developers, the cost of storage solutions like this SSD may need to be factored into game development budgets, potentially leading to increased game prices or subscription-based models. For businesses, the cost of storage solutions may impact the viability of cloud gaming services and game streaming platforms.

For consumers, the high price of storage solutions like this SSD may limit access to large game libraries, potentially exacerbating existing issues with game ownership and digital rights management. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how storage solutions like this SSD will shape the market and impact gamers.