WD Black and WD Blue gaming SSDs have transformed into the Sandisk Optimus Collection

1. Hardware
2. SSDs and Hard Drives

WD Black and WD Blue gaming SSDs have transformed into the Sandisk Optimus Collection News By Rosalie Newcombe published 8 January 2026

The Sandisk Optimus Collection is rolling out

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Sandisk) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

As the overseer of all things SSDs and storage for the GamesRadar+ hardware team, I was excited to learn about any innovations in this space during CES 2026 this month. Instead, Sandisk announced that it is rebranding its iconic WD Black and WD Blue drives under the new 'Sandisk Optimus' name.

This rebranding transforms not just the overarching name of the storage company's SSDs for gaming, but the packaging and product designs of this new Sandisk Optimus Collection are also getting rebooted. For new drives, you will no longer see "WD" on the box, and instead, this new collection will encompass three new named product lines: Sandisk Optimus, Sandisk Optimus GX, and Sandisk Optimus GX Pro, which are rolling out as I type these very words.

It feels fitting, as much like the way Optimus Prime from the iconic Transformers 80s cartoon transforms from a firetruck into a massive robot (or autobot if you will), SSDs can transform your aging PC and give it a significant boost. I'm not sure if that's what Sandisk is trying to envision among its consumer base with this new name, but it works for this aging tech nerd who grew up watching far too many Saturday morning television blocks.

The rebranding doesn't seem to be inspired by an 80s cartoon icon, and instead, Sandisk states that it is "inspired by the company's pioneering brand heritage and relentless focus on delivering innovation," with Heidi Arkinstall, VP Global Consumer Brand and Digital Marketing at Sandisk, stating in a press release that the "with this change we are making it easier for consumers to find the right solution for their needs."

To make it easier for you to identify these upcoming changes, all you really need to remember is that the WD Blue SN5 line, which includes drives like the WD Blue 5100 SSD, is now under the Sandisk Optimus name. Meanwhile, WD Black SN7 drives, like the WD Black SN7100 SSD, are now under the SanDisk Optimis GX product line. Lastly, the Sandisk Optimus GX Pro line is the rebranding of the brand's premium drives, which are aimed at developers and those who need the fastest performance and speeds possible, and includes all previously titled WD Black SN8 drives.

(Image credit: Sandisk)

The transition to this product refresh began with the announcement on January 5 at CES 2026, and the next time you go to update your PC, you might just catch the SSD's new name and packaging. Sandisk states that the new Optimus Collection SSDs are expected to be available to retailers worldwide during the first half of 2026, and older SSDs are expected to be available while inventory lasts.

I'd like to hope that this new rebrand will mean retailers will start to drop the prices of these older WD Black and WD Blue SSDs in an effort to clear out stock, but I have my doubts, especially in the wake of the price increases seen across RAM and GPUs when it comes to PC gaming. SSD pricing typically likes to bound all over the place, even without a new rebranding in the mix. However, 2026 is a new year, so if you want to keep an eye on the prices (and any helpful discounts) of older stock, I won't stop you.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

• View all SSDs for gaming at Amazon
• View all PS5 SSDs at Amazon

If you're in need of some extra storage, I've also rounded up the best SSDS for PS5, the best PS5 external drives, and the best Xbox Series X hard drives on the market.

Today's best SSD deals...Samsung 990 Pro $144.99ViewSee all pricesSamsung 990 Pro 2TB Heatsink $159.99ViewSee all pricesWD Black SN850X 2TB $149.99ViewSee all pricesWD Black SN850X 8TB $899.99ViewSee all pricesSeagate FireCuda 530 2TB $319.99ViewSee all pricesSeagate FireCuda 530 500GB Heatsink $174.71ViewSee all pricesSamsung 980 Pro $229.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices CATEGORIES PC Gaming PS5 Handhelds Platforms PlayStation Rosalie NewcombeSocial Links NavigationHardware Editor

Ever since I first held a NES controller in my hand I've been obsessed with gaming, and the hardware it runs on. I could hook up a NES and SNES to a telly, without instructions, before I could walk. Even now, nothing is more exciting then taking a console, or handheld, out the box for the first time and setting it up. This obsession transformed into a love of games and game music, which lead to my music degree and dream of becoming the Scottish Nobuo Uematsu. After sharing my love of games through music, I began to share my love through words on sites like TechRadar and iMore. This lead to becoming a Hardware staff writer for PCGamesN, and later the Senior Tech Writer for Dexerto, covering all things Steam Deck, PlayStation and Nintendo. With that experience, I was able to level up as Hardware Editor for GamesRadar+, where I'm still just as Nintendo, PlayStation and gaming tech obsessed as ever.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
2. 2Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
3. 3Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
4. 4Sleep Awake review: "An all-timer horror premise is let down by tired stealth that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through"
5. 5Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review: "The series' atmosphere has never been better, while being dragged down by a boring overworld and clunky psychic powers"

1. 1Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
2. 2Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
3. 3Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
4. 4Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
5. 5The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"

1. 1Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
2. 2Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
3. 3Fallout season 2 review: "A hell of a lot of fun despite being overcrowded and convoluted"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
5. 5Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"