Intel is blending Optane memory with QLC 3D NAND flash into a single solid state M.2 drive. The Intel Optane Memory H10 with Solid State Storage – henceforth known as Intel H10 because I’m lazy – is targeting users that need the responsiveness of Optane but the capacity of QLC flash.

It’s an interesting combo, and one that very few other manufacturers have the ability to replicate. Intel and Micron announced 3D XPoint back in 2015, the memory tech at the core of Intel Optane, which they touted as being a revolutionary new memory category capable of low-latency applications. Since then it’s made its way into some diddy HDD supercharger drives and pricey high-performance professional SSDs.

Nowadays Micron and Intel have decided to go it alone, with Micron taking full custody of their shared memory fabs. But Intel is still committed to the tech, at least for the time being, packaging it with high-capacity QLC for a more affordable drive. QLC is near-enough the polar opposite of Optane, a four-bit, low cost SSD NAND flash that is slower and less reliable than its TLC, MLC, and SLC siblings, but is able to offer high cell density for cheap.