Plextor's M9Pe represents the first retail SSD we've tested with a Toshiba BiCS 3 64-layer TLC flash array. Having already tested Toshiba's OEM XG5, we know that BiCS 3 offers plenty of performance even though it is a TLC product. BiCS brings with it the promise of more affordable and better performing flash-based SSDs in 2018. Third generation BiCS, or BiCS 3 64-layer 3D TLC, was first demonstrated at this year's Dell/EMC World via the XG5. Toshiba feels BiCS flash is superior to others for the following compelling reasons: plextor-m9pe-512gb-1tb-nvme-pcie-ssd-review_99 Of the features listed above, the feature that interests us most is the faster 1-shot programming called "Full Sequence." With Full Sequence programming, three pages can be programmed at the same time resulting in fewer steps. Full Sequence programming delivers better performance and at the same time reduces power consumption. More performance with less power consumption isn't something you see every day. In a mobile environment, power consumption becomes a primary concern which makes BiCS 3 particularly attractive for the ever-expanding world of mobile computing because it is power efficient. Plextor has again partnered with Marvell for their newest NVMe SSD. The M9Pe pairs Marvell's 88SS1093 Gen3 x4 NVMe 8-channel "Eldora" controller with Toshiba BiCS 3 64-layer TLC flash and Plextor's own in-house firmware. The 88SS1093 is the very same NVMe controller that Plextor has used for all of their NVMe SSDs to this point.