A polycrystalline diamond compact made from a high pressure, high temperature process is provided. The compact includes a metal carbide substrate including a binder and at least one inner layer of polycrystalline diamond disposed on the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond has a diamond phase and a metal phase forming an interconnected mutually exclusive network. The metal phase is a material different than that of the binder of the substrate to provide improved diamond sintering and final polycrystalline diamond compact properties. Prior to processing at least one coating is disposed on the substrate, and the layer of diamond particles is disposed on the at least one coating. During the high pressure, high temperature process the coating melts and fully sweeps into the diamond layer.