Anyone that has been paying attention has been dazzled by the performance of Intel Optane SSDs. This is because where it matters most, Optane SSDs are delivering 5x more performance than conventional NAND-based SSDs. Optane Storage delivers a new level of system response that once experienced, you will never look at conventional NAND-based SSDs the same way again. There is fast, and then there is Optane fast.

Until today, you were limited to two choices if you wanted to go with Optane storage. You could either go with Optane Memory at up to 32GB and use it as a storage accelerator by putting it in front of a SATA HDD or SATA SSD. Or, you could break the bank and go with the world's fastest SSD, the Intel Optane SSD 900P. There was no middle ground if you wanted the power of Optane storage.

Optane Memory can be utilized as a stand-alone storage device, but at a maximum of 32GB it is a little too small for most people to consider using it for a boot drive. The enthusiast oriented 900P is not only more expensive than the average consumer is willing to spend for a boot drive, it only comes in form-factors that are probably the least popular in the consumer space.