Intel announces larger additions to the Optane range of 3D XPoint-based SSDs-- the 905P, available in capacities of 960GB and 1.5TB as either a PCIe add-in card or the U.2 format.
The U.2 format is technically a renaming of the SFF-8639 interface used mainly in enterprise-class storage. It is thicker than standard M.2 drives, meaning it can carry more memory chips, and the drive controller is a further distance from hotter components. The 905P drives look like a thicker version of 2.5-inch SATA models, and connect to existing M.2 slots via extension cable.
Meanwhile the 905O PCIe add-in card features an HHHL (half height, half length) trim. The larger models do not bring performance enhancements, alas, since the 905P SSDs carry the same controller as the smallest 280GB 900P model. However the bigger drives have higher power consumption, with the 1.5TB 905P demanding up to 17.7W for write operations. Performance clocks at 2.7GBps read and 2.2GBps write.
Intel also has a new, smaller Optane storage option-- a 905P M.2 "gumstick" drive in capacities up to 380GB.
