Intel 800P Optane SSD

4K reads, but pegs the 800P as a fast sustained writer, disagreeing with both AS SSD and our 20GB copy tests, which appear next.

While sustained transfer isn’t the 800P’s strong suit, we were just a tad surprised that it didn’t do a better in our real-world 20GB copy tests (see blue bars below/shorter bars are better). The slow write time puts this test in agreement with AS SSD and in conflict with Crystaldiskmark.

It’s not unusual for Crystaldiskmark to show fast sustained writes where other tests do not. For some reason, it never works outside of the cache, even when a 32GB data set is employed. We’ve found it accurate in all other regards but this. Trust the copy tests.

PROS BOTTOM LINE

In spite of its high price, the previously reviewed 900P, with its stellar performance and virtual lifetime guarantee, is a tempting buy for enthusiasts. The 800P, on the other hand, is most decidedly not. In pricey RAID combinations, its longevity might make good sense in the corporate world, but that’s not our realm of expertise.

The average user will be much better served by Nand-based NVME drives, which are far cheaper, will deliver significantly better all-around performance, and offer enough capacity for a world where digital stuff is ever-expanding in size. • Fast with non-queued small file reads • Outstanding longevity

CONS

• Slow sustained writes for an NVME drive • Four times the cost of the Nand-based

competition

BOTTOM LINE

Intel’s Optane technology shows promise and scales well, but it’s four times the price and doesn’t offer the capacity of Nand-based solutions. While we rated the 800P at 3 stars, that’s with the average user in mind. It would rate higher as a corporate solution, where its marvelous longevity would come into play.

$129