The End of Cheap SSDs for PS5 and PC? Prices Are Rising

The worst-case scenario that experts warned about last year has become a reality - the beginning of 2026 has brought a sharp increase in SSD prices. The memory supply crisis has directly hit gamers and PC and PS5 users, effectively ending the era of affordable and high-performance SSDs.

The scale of the price increase is noticeable when compared to prices just a few months ago. For example, the popular Lexar NM790 1 TB SSD, which is in demand among PC and PS5 owners, cost about $66 in the US last October, but now its price has risen to $118.

The situation is even worse with high-capacity models. The WD_Black SN850X 8 TB is now priced at approximately $1080 in the US, which is 55% more expensive than in May last year. Some offers for 4 TB SSDs reach $520-1000, becoming unaffordable for the mass buyer.

The main reason for the price increase is the rapid growth of the AI industry. Experts advise those who urgently need a drive not to postpone the purchase, as prices may rise even further. However, they do not recommend panicking: if the current SSD is working properly, it is wiser to wait for the market to stabilize.