Intel SSD 750 Series 1.2TB For those who want the best of the best… and can afford to pay for it

Unlike the other drives we tested, the Intel 750 uses NVMe (nonvolatile memory express) rather than AHCI (adaptive host controller interface). The new interface is the way of the future and will let SSDs continue to push performance as the technologies evolve. The 750 isn’t some M.2 SSD strapped into an adaptor either — it’s a half-height PCIe slot only drive that uses x4 Gen 3.0 lanes. The Intel 750 comes in two different capacities: 400GB or 1.2TB, as tested. The SSD in our Labs uses Intel 20nm MLC NAND, with 4GB of cache RAM and an Intel CH29AE41AB0 controller buried under a large heatsink. Not surprisingly, it’s fast. Crazily fast. We managed 2,276/1,285MB/s sequential read and write speeds — way in excess of any other SSD tested. 4K read and write tests stand out too, at 34/ 250MB/s, respectively. For random access, the drive is spec’d at 440,000/290,000 IOPS, reading and writing. While the sequential read speed is great, these numbers show that the 750 also excels at high queue depths. The 400GB model is a little slower (especially on writes), but it’s not a huge gap. Intel backs the SSD with a fve-year warranty, and rates it at 70GB of data written a day. At $1,349, the Intel 750 is an expensive SSD, but actually gives the best cost per gigabyte, though the $549 400GB version isn’t as good. Still, if you want high-end performance then there is currently no better option available.