SSD Prices Reach New Stability: Breaking the Pattern of Rising Costs ~ SSD Pricing
It’s music to our ears: SSD prices have finally stopped going up, and some have even dropped. What a welcome change! The pandemic-induced chip surplus led to a production slowdown, and demand kept climbing. AI training, in particular, has been driving up demand for storage, while gamers and console owners are no longer able to get by with slower SSDs.
To give you a better idea of how prices have changed, we’ve selected some popular SSD models in three capacities and tracked their average prices on Amazon over the past few quarters. Let’s dive in and see how things have shaken out.
500GB SSD Pricing
The SK Hynix P41 Platinum is arguably the fastest 500GB drive out there. We’ve seen it drop to as low as $41, but it usually sells for $66. However, since February, it’s been going for $83. That’s still a great deal, considering its impressive performance.
The Corsair MP600 Pro is another great option. Its 500GB version has fewer NAND chips, which means it’s slower than its higher-capacity counterparts, but it’s still a decent choice. It used to sell for $53 last year and now goes for $71.
Here’s a price comparison chart for these two drives, along with some other popular options:
| SSD Model | Jan 23 | Jul 23 | Dec 23 | Jan 24 | Apr 24 | Aug 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Hynix P41 Platinum | $105 | $66 | $61 | $75 | $83 | $83 |
| Corsair MP600 Pro LPX | $76 | $53 | $55 | $60 | $70 | $71 |
| Samsung 970 Evo Plus | $70 | $35 | $60 | $60 | $75 | $75 |
| Crucial MX500 | $45 | $35 | $45 | $50 | $55 | $60 |
| Samsung 870 Evo | $60 | $40 | $50 | $50 | $60 | $55 |
As you can see, prices have been fluctuating wildly, especially for the Samsung 870 Evo. Last year, it cost between $100 and $120, with some dips to $90 and $80. This year, it’s reached as high as $200, and in July, it was selling for $190 and $140. Who knows what will happen next?
Solid Takeaways
In summary, SSD prices have stopped going up and some have even dropped. Games continue to grow in size, so it’s still a good idea to invest in a reliable storage device. Don’t settle for slower drives with QLC flash – they might be cheaper, but they’re not as durable.
For desktop PC users, a traditional hard drive is still a viable option for storing large files. The Seagate IronWolf, for example, currently sells for just $90 for 4TB. Laptop users might consider the WD Passport, which offers 4TB for $95.
If you do need an SSD, keep in mind that prices will eventually decrease as new technologies are introduced. So, don’t rush into a purchase just yet – wait for the prices to drop.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the options we’ve mentioned and see which one best fits your needs. Happy shopping!
