Solidigm P44 Pro NVMe SSD - Prices & Deals 2026
Intel SSD heritage meets SK Hynix manufacturing. A flagship Gen4 drive that flies under the radar.
Quick Answer+
The Solidigm P44 Pro is a hidden gem - Intel SSD heritage with SK Hynix manufacturing. Custom controller (not Phison) delivers 7,000 MB/s with exceptional sustained performance and power efficiency. Often priced below Samsung/WD. PS5 compatible with heatsink. Best for: Laptops (excellent power efficiency), content creation, value seekers willing to look beyond brand names.
- 7,000 MB/s with Intel-heritage controller
- Exceptional sustained performance
- Best-in-class power efficiency
- Often priced below Samsung/WD
- Cool operation - great for laptops
The Solidigm P44 Pro is one of the best-kept secrets in the Gen4 SSD market. Born from Intel's SSD division (acquired by SK Hynix in 2021 and rebranded as Solidigm), the P44 Pro delivers 7,000 MB/s flagship performance with exceptional quality - often at prices below more famous competitors.
What makes the P44 Pro special is its pedigree: Intel's engineering expertise combined with SK Hynix's manufacturing prowess. The drive uses a custom in-house controller (not Phison) and 144-layer TLC NAND, resulting in excellent sustained performance and power efficiency that many reviewers rank among the best Gen4 drives tested.
The P44 Pro frequently goes on sale below Samsung and WD pricing, making it a value-focused enthusiast's dream. If you're willing to look beyond the household brand names, the P44 Pro offers genuine flagship quality at mid-range prices. It is fully PS5 compatible and excellent for gaming and content creation.
Solidigm P44 Pro Specifications
| Specification | 512GB | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | 7,000 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 4,700 MB/s | 6,500 MB/s | 6,500 MB/s |
| Random Read | 530K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Random Write | 560K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Endurance (TBW) | 500 TBW | 750 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| NAND Type | SK Hynix 144-Layer 3D TLC | ||
| DRAM Cache | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB LPDDR4 |
| Controller | Solidigm Custom (Intel Heritage) | ||
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4 x4, NVMe 1.4 | ||
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | ||
| Heatsink | Not included | ||
| Warranty | 5 Years | ||
| PS5 Compatible | Yes (with heatsink) | ||
P44 Pro Key Features
Intel Engineering Heritage
Developed by Intel's SSD team before SK Hynix acquisition. Decades of SSD expertise baked in.
Proven PedigreeCustom Controller
In-house Solidigm controller - not Phison. Unique architecture with excellent firmware optimization.
Proprietary DesignExceptional Sustained Performance
Maintains speeds under heavy loads better than many competitors. Reviewer favorite for sustained writes.
Consistent SpeedPower Efficiency
Among the most power-efficient Gen4 drives. Great for laptops and thermal-constrained builds.
Low Power7,000 MB/s Sequential
Full Gen4 speeds matching Samsung 990 Pro and WD SN850X in benchmarks.
Flagship SpeedFrequent Sales
Often discounted below Samsung/WD pricing. Excellent value when on sale.
Great ValueWho is Solidigm?
If you have not heard of Solidigm, here is the story: In 2021, SK Hynix acquired Intel's NAND and SSD business for $9 billion. The consumer SSD division was rebranded as Solidigm, combining Intel's engineering with SK Hynix's manufacturing.
The P44 Pro was developed by Intel engineers before the acquisition and represents Intel's final consumer SSD design. It benefits from:
- Intel's custom controller architecture - not off-the-shelf Phison like most competitors
- SK Hynix's 144-layer NAND - high-quality flash from one of the world's largest memory manufacturers
- Mature firmware - refined over Intel's decades of SSD development
The result: A flagship-quality drive that competes with Samsung and WD on performance, often at lower prices due to less brand recognition.
P44 Pro vs Gen4 Competition
| Drive | Price (2TB) | Seq. Read | Controller | Sustained Perf. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solidigm P44 Pro | ~$140 | 7,000 MB/s | Solidigm Custom | Excellent |
| Samsung 990 Pro | ~$180 | 7,450 MB/s | Samsung Pascal | Excellent |
| WD Black SN850X | ~$160 | 7,300 MB/s | WD Custom | Very Good |
| SK Hynix P41 | ~$155 | 7,000 MB/s | SK Hynix Aries | Excellent |
| Crucial T500 | ~$130 | 7,400 MB/s | Phison E25 | Very Good |
Value Analysis: The P44 Pro sits in a sweet spot - flagship-tier sustained performance at mid-range pricing. When on sale (frequently under $120 for 2TB), it is one of the best Gen4 values available.
Best Use Cases for P44 Pro
Excellent For
Content Creation: Exceptional sustained write performance makes it ideal for video editing, rendering, and large file workflows.
Laptop Upgrades: Best-in-class power efficiency extends battery life. Cooler operation in thermal-constrained laptops.
Gaming PCs: Full Gen4 speeds for fast game loading. Matches flagship drives in real-world gaming.
Value Seekers: When on sale, offers flagship quality at mid-range prices. Watch for deals.
Consider Alternatives
Maximum Speed: The Samsung 990 Pro is marginally faster in benchmarks if you want absolute maximum.
Lowest Price: The Crucial T500 and Lexar NM790 undercut P44 Pro at regular prices.
Brand Recognition: If brand name matters to you, Samsung and WD offer more household recognition.
Thermal Performance
The P44 Pro is one of the coolest-running Gen4 drives available. In testing:
- Idle: 30-35C - excellent
- Gaming loads: 45-55C - very cool
- Sustained writes: 55-65C - well below throttling
The efficient controller and NAND combination keeps temperatures low. For most PC use, no heatsink is required (though one never hurts). For PS5, you will still need a heatsink per Sony requirements.
Laptop Users: The P44 Pro's power efficiency makes it particularly well-suited for laptops where thermal headroom is limited.
Which Capacity Should You Buy?
512GB (~$60): Entry capacity with lower write speeds. Acceptable for boot drive with separate game storage.
1TB (~$80) - Good Value: Full performance unlocked. Excellent for laptops or as secondary fast storage. See 1TB comparisons.
2TB (~$140) - Recommended: Best overall value, especially when on sale. Sweet spot for primary drive. Compare with 2TB alternatives.
All Solidigm P44 Pro Prices - Sorted by $/TB
Compare all P44 Pro capacity options. Prices updated hourly from Amazon.
| Product | Capacity | Price | $ / TB | Price Drop | Brand | Interface |
|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solidigm reliable?
Yes, very reliable. Solidigm is Intel's former SSD division, now owned by SK Hynix. They have decades of SSD experience and enterprise-grade engineering. The 5-year warranty backs their confidence in reliability.
Is P44 Pro good for PS5?
Excellent for PS5. The P44 Pro exceeds Sony 5,500 MB/s requirement with 7,000 MB/s speeds. Its cool operation is a bonus in PS5's constrained thermal environment. Add a heatsink and you have a quality PS5 expansion drive.
P44 Pro vs Samsung 990 Pro?
The 990 Pro is marginally faster in benchmarks (7,450 vs 7,000 MB/s). Real-world gaming difference is negligible. The P44 Pro matches or beats 990 Pro in sustained performance and power efficiency. P44 Pro typically costs $40+ less - excellent value.
Does P44 Pro run hot?
No, it runs very cool. The P44 Pro is among the coolest Gen4 drives available. Gaming temps stay around 45-55C. Even sustained writes rarely exceed 65C. Excellent for laptops and cases with limited airflow.
Why is P44 Pro cheaper than Samsung?
Solidigm is less well-known than Samsung, so they price competitively to gain market share. The hardware quality is comparable - you are paying less for the name, not the product. It is similar to how SK Hynix P41 undercuts Samsung despite matching performance.
P44 Pro vs SK Hynix P41?
Both are excellent and actually share DNA - SK Hynix owns Solidigm. P44 Pro often edges ahead in sustained performance due to its Intel-designed controller. P41 has better random IOPS. Both run cool and efficient. Price should be the deciding factor.