SanDisk has launched the Optimus GX C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S, providing a new licensed alternative to Seagate’s offerings, potentially reducing costs and increasing options for gamers seeking direct game storage expansion.
SanDisk has moved into the Xbox storage market with the Optimus GX C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S, giving owners of Microsoft’s consoles a new licensed option beyond Seagate’s long-running range. The cards are designed to work with Xbox Velocity Architecture and are intended to mirror the console’s internal SSD for games that require the proprietary expansion slot, according to SanDisk’s product page.
The line-up comes in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. SanDisk lists prices starting at $109.99 for the smallest model, rising to $199.99 for 1TB and $339.99 for 2TB. Tom’s Hardware reported that Amazon pricing was higher at the time of writing, with the 1TB card listed at $249.99 and the 2TB version at $486.99, while SanDisk’s own shop showed lower promotional prices but no stock. The company also says each card includes a one-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Discord Nitro.
The arrival is notable because Seagate was effectively alone in this niche when the Xbox Series X|S launched in 2020. Tom’s Hardware noted that Western Digital once offered compatible cards as part of the earlier WD_BLACK line, but that option has disappeared following SanDisk’s separation from WD’s flash business. SanDisk’s entry should give buyers a cheaper route to expansion than many current market listings, although availability remains uneven.
These expansion cards are not the same as ordinary external drives. They let games run directly from the add-on slot without needing to be copied back to the internal SSD, which is why they remain more convenient than a standard USB hard drive. By contrast, Sony’s PS5 uses a more open NVMe slot, allowing users to fit a wide range of PCIe 4.0 SSDs, while Nintendo’s Switch 2 uses microSD Express, a less common but more portable standard.
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