The Intel Optane SSD 900P was an unusually low-latency enthusiast SSD when it launched in 2017. Its 3D XPoint media and PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface made it stand out in demanding random and mixed workloads, even though its sequential speeds were not class-leading across the board. Intel now lists the 900P as discontinued, so this is a retrospective review—not a recommendation based on new testing or current used-market prices.
What the Optane 900P is—and what it is not
Intel introduced the Optane SSD 900P in Q4 2017. It is an NVMe drive built around 3D XPoint memory and a PCIe 3.0 x4 connection. Intel’s product pages mark the 280GB and 480GB models discontinued: Intel 900P 280GB specifications and Intel 900P 480GB specifications.
The review-era case for the 900P was responsiveness under demanding random or mixed storage activity, not an assurance that it would beat every flash SSD in every application. Its historical benchmarks are useful for understanding the drive’s design strengths, but they do not establish how it performs on today’s platforms, operating systems, drivers, or software.
Optane 900P specifications
| Specification | 280GB | 480GB |
|---|---|---|
| Media and interface | 3D XPoint; PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe (Intel, 2017 specifications) | 3D XPoint; PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe (Intel, 2017 specifications) |
| Form factor | HHHL add-in card or 2.5-inch, 15mm U.2 model, depending on exact SKU (Intel product brief) | HHHL add-in card (Intel product brief) |
| Sequential read/write ratings | Up to 2500/2000 MB/s (Intel, 2017 specification) | Up to 2500/2000 MB/s (Intel, 2017 specification) |
| 4K random read/write ratings | Up to 550,000/500,000 IOPS (Intel, 2017 specification) | Up to 550,000/500,000 IOPS (Intel, 2017 specification) |
| Rated lifetime writes | 5.11 PB written (Intel, 2017 specification) | 8.76 PB written (Intel, 2017 specification) |
The throughput and IOPS figures are Intel’s maximum manufacturer ratings, not promised results for a particular workload. Intel’s 2017 product brief also claimed less than 10 microseconds of read and write latency; that is a product claim, not an independent benchmark result. Intel Optane SSD 900P Series Product Brief.
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Intel listed a five-year warranty in its product brief and the 480GB specification. That historical warranty term does not establish how much, if any, coverage remains for a particular used drive.
How fast was it in independent reviews?
Latency was the headline strength
In AnandTech’s October 27, 2017 Heavy Storage Bench review, the 900P set records for average and 99th-percentile latency in that test. Its 99th-percentile read latency was 70% lower than the fastest flash-based SSD in the comparison, while its write-latency advantage was 30%. Average read latency was less than half the prior best in that test, while average write latency came close to second place. Those results apply to that benchmark and comparison set, not to all drives or present-day workloads. AnandTech Heavy Storage Bench results.
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- Full product Specifications: Click to view
- Storage Capacity: 280 GB
- Encryption standard: 256-bit
- Maximum read transfer rate: 2.44 GB/s
- Maximum write transfer rate: 1.95 GB/s
Not every benchmark crowned it the winner
AnandTech’s Destroyer test found a more modest average-latency improvement over the previous record. The publication notes that its Storage Bench tests replay recorded workloads rather than running the original applications, and that changes in operating systems and storage drivers can alter results. AnandTech Destroyer results and methodology.
Tom’s Hardware likewise described the 900P as very fast while cautioning that it would not win every synthetic test; its coverage emphasized low-queue-depth behavior. Its updated review included the 480GB model and did not find that choosing the larger capacity alone meant higher performance than the 280GB version. These are launch-era review observations, not current comparisons against newer SSDs. Tom’s Hardware Optane 900P review and Tom’s Hardware testing.
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- 1B Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- 1800 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. 1800 Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
280GB vs. 480GB: capacity, form, and endurance
The 480GB model offers more storage and a higher manufacturer lifetime-write rating: 8.76 PB versus 5.11 PB for the 280GB model. Those are model ratings, not a reading of a used drive’s remaining life. Check the exact SKU: the 280GB capacity was sold both as an HHHL add-in card and as a 2.5-inch, 15mm U.2 drive, while the 480GB listing is for an add-in card. Do not assume capacity alone identifies the connector or physical shape.
Tom’s Hardware cautioned against expecting a performance increase simply because the 480GB model has greater capacity. If the choice is between these sizes, storage space, exact form factor, price, and the individual unit’s condition matter more than assuming the larger model is faster.
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- INTEL OPTANE H10 32GB + 512GB SSD M.2
- Compatible devices: Desktop
- Memory storage capacity: 512.0
- Package Dimensions: 1.8 L x 13.4H x10.6W(centimeters)
Will the 900P fit your motherboard?
Confirm the physical version and host connection before buying. The HHHL version is a full-height, half-length add-in card that requires a compatible PCIe slot and enough chassis clearance. The U.2 version is a 2.5-inch, 15mm drive and requires a compatible U.2 connection and cabling; a standard SATA connection is not a substitute. A PCIe x4 NVMe drive also depends on platform support, so check the motherboard and system documentation for slot availability and configuration.
- Ask the seller for a clear photo and the full model or SKU, not just “Optane 900P.”
- For an add-in card, verify slot compatibility, clearance, and whether neighboring components obstruct installation.
- For U.2, verify that the system has the required U.2 port and cable path.
- Check the seller’s return terms and request drive-health information, including SMART data and total writes where available.
Power, value, and buying a discontinued drive
Intel’s 480GB specification lists 14W active and 5W idle. The product brief gives more context: typical active-read average is 8W, active-write average is 13W, burst power is 14W, and idle is 5W. These are Intel’s published figures for different operating conditions, not a single measured draw or a thermal test. A high-performance add-in card’s power and cooling needs should be considered in the context of the system it will go into.
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- PCIe 4.0 Performance: Delivers up to 7,100 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 1TB SSD: Provides space for AAA games, apps, and media with standard Gen4 NVMe performance for casual gamers and home users
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with laptops, desktops, and select gaming consoles including ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and AYANEO Kun. Also backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 systems for flexible upgrades
- Better Productivity: Up to 2x faster than previous Gen3 generation. Improve performance for real world tasks like booting Windows, starting applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and working in applications like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Trusted Micron Quality: Built with advanced G8 NAND and thermal control for reliable Gen4 performance trusted by gamers and home users
As a discontinued product, the 900P should be treated as a used or legacy purchase unless a seller can establish otherwise. Its 280GB and 480GB capacities are modest by current standards, and the historical reviews called it expensive at launch. Current asking prices, inventory, and the value of a particular used listing are not established here and can vary by seller and unit. Compare cost per usable gigabyte and the value of a newer, higher-capacity SSD before deciding.
For a used unit, model endurance is only one part of the decision. Inspect reported health and written data, confirm the form factor, and establish a return option; none of the published model ratings can reveal the remaining life or condition of an individual drive.
Verdict
The Optane 900P remains an interesting example of a storage product whose defining advantage was latency rather than headline sequential bandwidth. Historical independent tests support that distinction, especially in demanding traces, but they do not prove superiority in every application or on a modern system. Today, its appeal is mainly to someone who specifically wants this legacy Optane drive and can verify compatibility, condition, and price before purchase.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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