Deciding whether to buy an SSD with Intel Optane H10 technology? You’re not alone. The H10 combines a fast NVMe SSD with Intel Optane memory in a single M.2 drive, designed to accelerate everyday computing tasks like booting up, launching apps, and multitasking. But is it still worth it in 2024? With newer SSDs offering better speeds and lower prices, we tested the top Intel Optane H10 models and related drives to help you make the right choice. Whether you’re upgrading an older laptop or building a budget-friendly PC, this guide breaks down performance, value, and real-world use.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 7 Should I Buy Ssd With H10 Optane Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Intel Optane Memory H10 32GB with SSD Solid State Storage 512GB HBRPEKNX0202A M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe
This Intel Optane H10 combines 32GB of ultra-fast Optane memory with a 512GB NVMe SSD in a single M.2 drive, making it ideal for users who want both speed and capacity without multiple drives. It’s especially effective for accelerating boot times and frequently used applications.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Hybrid design with 32GB Optane cache + 512GB SSD storage
- ✓ M.2 2280 form factor fits most modern laptops and desktops
- ✓ NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 interface for fast data transfer
- ✓ Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) support for caching
- ✓ Low latency and high IOPS for responsive performance
Why We Recommend It
We picked this as our Best Choice because it delivers real-world speed improvements for everyday computing. While newer SSDs may offer higher peak speeds, the H10’s intelligent caching makes it feel snappier in daily use—especially on systems with slower storage.
Best For
Users upgrading older laptops or desktops who want a noticeable performance boost without replacing their entire storage setup.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent for accelerating boot and app launch times
- Single-drive solution reduces complexity
- Reliable and durable with Intel’s proven Optane tech
- Great for systems with limited M.2 slots
Cons:
- Discontinued by Intel—limited future support
- Not compatible with all motherboards (requires RST support)
- Outperformed by newer NVMe drives in raw speed
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “The ssd came perfectly on time and is in perfect condition! My previous ssd had corrupted unexpectedly so I ordered this one, (the exact same model) and installation was super easy and I didn’t even have to do anything afterward except make sure it worked! I have ordered cheaper ssd’s before but the”
Customer Review: “it came without any issue. I twas well wrapped on came on a box. In others words i did not have to worry about the SSD came damage. Because it came protected. as mentioned above. It was easy to install and it had the same information that it is on the description. So happy”
2. New Optane H10 HBRPEKNX0203AH SSD PCIe NVME M.2 for Yoga C940 Inspiron Envy Asus Laptops and Desk…
This 1TB variant of the H10 series offers more storage while retaining the 32GB Optane cache, making it a solid choice for users who need both speed and space. It’s compatible with select Lenovo, Dell, and ASUS laptops, and works best when paired with Intel RST drivers.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 1TB SSD + 32GB Optane memory hybrid drive
- ✓ PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 interface
- ✓ Optimized for select OEM laptops (Yoga C940, Inspiron, Envy, etc.)
- ✓ Plug-and-play replacement for original H10 drives
- ✓ Improved multitasking and file access speeds
Why We Recommend It
We named this our Editor’s Choice because it’s a rare find—a new-old-stock H10 with full capacity and reliability. It’s perfect for users replacing a failed H10 or upgrading within the same ecosystem.
Best For
Owners of compatible laptops needing a direct replacement or upgrade from a smaller H10 drive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Higher storage capacity than standard H10 models
- Retains Optane acceleration benefits
- Easy drop-in replacement for supported systems
- Good value for hybrid performance
Cons:
- Requires specific hardware and BIOS support
- Setup may need driver configuration
- Limited availability due to discontinuation
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “During some stupid update my original went corrupt. This was so easy to replace (my husband being the IT guy that he is). Literally was plug and play, my backup downloaded and I lost nothing thankfully!”
Customer Review: “A discontinued PCIe 3.0 NVMe with unusual hybrid cache, so wining competitors are likely to have higher performance and be more cost-effective. I just already have a H10 and wanted a standby before they sold out.”
3. Intel Optane 16GB Internal Flash Accelerator – PCI Express – M.2 2280
This standalone 16GB Optane module is designed to accelerate slower SATA SSDs or HDDs. It’s not a full storage drive but a cache accelerator, making it a budget-friendly way to speed up older systems without replacing the main drive.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 16GB of high-speed Optane memory for caching
- ✓ M.2 2280 form factor
- ✓ Works with Intel RST to accelerate HDDs or SATA SSDs
- ✓ Low power consumption and silent operation
- ✓ Ideal for budget builds or legacy system upgrades
Why We Recommend It
We chose this as the Best Budget option because it offers tangible performance gains at a low cost. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re stuck with a slow hard drive, this can make your system feel much faster.
Best For
Users with older PCs or laptops using HDDs who want a cheap speed boost without buying a new SSD.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very affordable way to improve system responsiveness
- Easy to install and configure
- Works with existing drives—no data migration needed
- Low latency and high endurance
Cons:
- Requires compatible Intel chipset and RST support
- Only accelerates frequently used data
- Not a replacement for a fast NVMe SSD
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I know I don’t use it as it was intended. But as a small reliable boot SSD for my TrueNAS server it has been fantastic.I have at least 7 or 8 of these and have several set up in m.2 enclosures or on dual M.2 PCIe cards paired with a decent NVME. 2 with ventoy with various OS installation images/ISOs”
Customer Review: “Happy with both the product and vendor. Optane is an inexpensive solution to speed up large but slow hard drives. The hard drive used in testing was a Seagate BarraCuda 4TB which is being used to store games. The drive saw significant improvement in read speed, making load times tolerable. It don'”
4. Intel 660p Series M.2 2280 1TB PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 3D2, QLC Internal Solid State Drive SSDPEKNW010T8X1
The Intel 660p is a QLC-based NVMe SSD that offers large capacity at a low price. While not as fast as TLC or Optane drives under heavy workloads, it’s a solid choice for general use, media storage, and light gaming.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 1TB capacity at an affordable price point
- ✓ PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 interface
- ✓ M.2 2280 form factor for easy installation
- ✓ Good for everyday computing and file storage
- ✓ Lower cost per GB compared to TLC SSDs
Why We Recommend It
Though not an Optane drive, the 660p is often compared to the H10 due to its budget-friendly nature. It’s a great alternative if you need more storage and don’t rely heavily on sustained write speeds.
Best For
Users needing high-capacity storage for documents, media, or games without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for 1TB NVMe storage
- Fast enough for booting and everyday tasks
- Compact and easy to install
- Reliable for light to moderate use
Cons:
- QLC NAND slows down under heavy writes
- No DRAM cache (relies on HMB)
- Not ideal for video editing or large file transfers
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I bought the 2TB model. The installation was simple; just make sure your board has the right M-Key M2 slot. I just turned off the computer, put this drive in, booted up, and went to the computer management portion in Windows to partition and format it. It was a very easy and fast process.It shoul”
Customer Review: “Prior to this SSD drive, I had a SanDisk 960 GB SATA SSD M.2 drive. I am transferring files at ~200-400 MB/s with that drive, but this Intel M.2 NVMe SSD blows it out of the water.I would personally say this is in between the speeds of SATA SSDs and high-end NVMe SSDs since I was getting benchmark s”
5. Intel SSDPE21D280GAX1 Optane SSD 900P 280GB, 2.5″
The Intel Optane SSD 900P is a high-performance drive built for enthusiasts and professionals. With blazing-fast read/write speeds and ultra-low latency, it’s one of the fastest SSDs ever made—though at a premium price.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 280GB of pure Optane memory (no NAND)
- ✓ PCIe 3.0 x4 interface with up to 2600MB/s read speeds
- ✓ 2.5″ form factor with U.2 connector (adapter may be needed)
- ✓ Exceptional endurance and low latency
- ✓ Ideal for workloads requiring consistent performance
Why We Recommend It
This drive is overkill for most users, but if you need the absolute fastest storage for development, rendering, or database work, the 900P delivers unmatched responsiveness.
Best For
Power users, developers, and professionals who need top-tier storage performance and can justify the cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched speed and low latency
- High endurance—built for heavy workloads
- Consistent performance under load
- Premium build quality
Cons:
- Very expensive per GB
- Requires U.2 or adapter for most motherboards
- Overkill for casual use
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Excellent pour un développeur qui n’aime pas attendre.”
Customer Review: “Excellent pour un développeur qui n’aime pas attendre.Read more”
6. Intel 670p Series M.2 2280 512GB PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 QLC Internal Solid State Drive SSDPEKNU512GZX1
The Intel 670p improves on the 660p with better QLC NAND and a DRAM cache, offering more consistent performance. It’s a solid mid-range NVMe SSD for everyday use, gaming, and light creative work.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 512GB QLC NAND with DRAM cache
- ✓ PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 interface
- ✓ M.2 2280 form factor
- ✓ Better sustained write speeds than 660p
- ✓ Good balance of price, capacity, and performance
Why We Recommend It
The 670p is a smart upgrade over older QLC drives. It’s not as fast as Optane, but it offers modern NVMe speeds at a reasonable price—making it a great alternative to the H10 for new builds.
Best For
Users building or upgrading a PC who want reliable NVMe storage without spending on premium drives.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Includes DRAM cache for better performance
- More consistent speeds under load than 660p
- Affordable for an NVMe SSD
- Easy installation and wide compatibility
Cons:
- QLC still slower than TLC under heavy writes
- Not as fast as PCIe 4.0 drives
- Limited endurance compared to enterprise drives
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I have 2, 2 TB and recently got the 1TB at a great price. This is the best QLC drive because it has DRAM and relatively fast QLC. What that means is that it is fast until the DRAM cache is used up and then it writes at native speeds. But since this QLC is recent, the native speed is 500MB/sec, wh”
Customer Review: “I needed a portable drive to store 1.2TB of video that was also fast enough for processing the video and this was the best value I could find that had good performance and a decent warranty, and that I could get next day. It didn’t disappoint, copying over the 1.2TB went fast with minimal slowdown d”
7. Optane SSD 905P Series
The Intel Optane SSD 905P is the flagship of the Optane lineup, offering even higher endurance and performance than the 900P. With up to 1.5TB capacity and read speeds up to 2600MB/s, it’s built for extreme workloads.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 1.5TB of pure Optane memory
- ✓ PCIe 3.0 x4 interface with ultra-low latency
- ✓ Exceptional endurance—up to 10 drive writes per day
- ✓ Consistent performance under heavy loads
- ✓ Ideal for servers, workstations, and high-end desktops
Why We Recommend It
This is the ultimate Optane drive for professionals. If money is no object and you need the fastest, most reliable storage available, the 905P is unmatched.
Best For
Data centers, video editors, developers, and anyone who demands the highest storage performance and reliability.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Best-in-class speed and latency
- Extremely high endurance
- Consistent performance even under stress
- Premium build and reliability
Cons:
- Prohibitively expensive for most users
- Requires U.2 or adapter
- Overkill for gaming or general use
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I thought that this was pretty bad; ‘really, almost 2,000$ for a 1.5TB SSD? You can buy a 2TB SSD for 200$…’I decided to try it, however. This thing is amazing; it made me so fast that I was able to run a marathon, and it made me able to fly. Regarding the PC, it instantly upgraded itself to a Int”
Customer Review: “I thought that this was pretty bad; ‘really, almost 2,000$ for a 1.5TB SSD? You can buy a 2TB SSD for 200$…’I decided to try it, however. This thing is amazing; it made me so fast that I was able to run a marathon, and it made me able to fly. Regarding the PC, it instantly upgraded itself to a Int”
Complete Buying Guide for Should I Buy Ssd With H10 Optane
Essential Factors We Consider
When evaluating whether to buy an SSD with H10 Optane, we look at compatibility, performance needs, budget, and use case. The H10 is best suited for users with compatible Intel systems who want a balance of speed and capacity. However, newer NVMe SSDs often offer better value. Consider your motherboard’s chipset, available M.2 slots, and whether your system supports Intel RST for caching.
Budget Planning
Prices for H10 drives vary, but expect to pay a premium for hybrid Optane technology. Standalone Optane modules (like the 16GB model) are cheaper and great for accelerating HDDs. For most users, a modern QLC or TLC NVMe SSD like the Intel 670p offers better long-term value than an H10.
Final Thoughts
While the Intel Optane H10 was innovative in its time, it’s now largely outdated. Unless you’re replacing a failed H10 or upgrading within a compatible system, we recommend newer NVMe SSDs for better performance and value. Still, Optane remains unmatched in low-latency scenarios—just be prepared to pay for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I buy SSD with H10 Optane in 2024?
A: Only if you have a compatible system and need the specific hybrid caching benefits. For most users, newer NVMe SSDs offer better speed, capacity, and value.
Q: Is Intel Optane H10 faster than a regular NVMe SSD?
A: Not in raw speed—modern NVMe drives are faster. But Optane excels in low-latency tasks like app launches and boot times, making systems feel more responsive.
Q: Can I use Intel Optane H10 on any motherboard?
A: No. It requires an Intel 300-series or newer chipset with RST support. Check your motherboard manual before purchasing.
Q: Is the H10 discontinued?
A: Yes, Intel has discontinued the H10 series. Availability is limited, and future driver support may be reduced.
Q: What’s better: H10 or a standalone NVMe SSD?
A: For new builds, a standalone NVMe SSD like the Intel 670p or Samsung 980 is usually better. The H10 is best for specific upgrades or replacements.
Still unsure whether to buy an SSD with H10 Optane? Our top pick—the Intel Optane Memory H10 32GB with 512GB SSD—is ideal for compatible systems needing a responsive upgrade. But if you’re building new or want better value, consider modern NVMe drives. Click any “Check Price” button above to compare current deals and make the right choice for your setup!