SanDisk has officially started selling its new SANDISK Optimus gaming SSD series in the United States, following the brand’s announcement earlier this year. The SANDISK Optimus lineup replaces the WD_BLACK and WD Blue solid-state drives that were previously part of Western Digital’s portfolio before the company’s spin-off. The new models are now available through Amazon and other retail platforms across the country.
The first model to reach the market is the Optimus GX Pro 8100, which succeeds the WD Black SN8100. Despite the change in name and exterior styling, the core hardware remains consistent with the previous generation. SanDisk has retained similar specifications, including interface support and performance positioning within the high-performance NVMe gaming SSD segment.
On SanDisk’s official website, the Optimus GX Pro 8100 is priced at $919 for the 2TB version and $1,799 for the 4TB model. A heatsink edition is also available, with pricing approximately 2% higher than the standard configuration. However, retail listings on Amazon currently show higher prices. The 1TB variant is listed at $499, the 2TB model at $999, and the 4TB version at $1,949. These figures represent up to a 9% premium compared to SanDisk’s direct pricing.
When compared to its predecessor, the WD Black SN8100, the Optimus GX Pro 8100 carries an estimated 5% increase in MSRP. The adjustment appears to reflect branding updates, revised product design, and marketing expenses associated with establishing the new Optimus identity. SanDisk has not indicated any changes to performance metrics or endurance ratings between the outgoing and incoming models.
Additional drives are expected under the same branding transition. The Optimus GX 7100 will replace the WD Black SN7100, while the Optimus 5100 is set to succeed the WD Blue SN5100. These products are positioned to cover different performance tiers within the consumer SSD market.
SanDisk confirmed that existing WD_BLACK and WD Blue models will continue to be sold until inventory is cleared. Warranty support and after-sales service will remain in place for both legacy and new products.
Price differences between older WD drives and the new Optimus models may influence purchasing decisions in the short term. For example, the WD Black SN8100 4TB has been listed at $1,289 through official channels and as low as around $859 at select retailers, compared to $1,799 for the Optimus GX Pro 8100 4TB on SanDisk’s website. As the transition progresses, retail pricing and inventory levels are likely to shape demand in the US gaming SSD market.
