Intel releases its 665p SSD with 2nd Gen 96-layer QLC NAND

Intel releases its 665p SSD with 2nd Gen 96-layer TLC NAND

Intel releases its 665p SSD with 2nd Gen 96-layer QLC NAND

NAND technology is continuing to evolve, bringing with it increased performance, lower pricing and the promise of tighter competition. QLC NAND is one of the latest NAND innovations, increasing the bit density of NAND storage to deliver users more storage for their money, especially on consumer drives.

Intel 660p has quickly become one of the world’s most popular QLC-powered SSDs, and now it has been replaced by a new model called the Intel 665p, which utilises Intel’s 2nd Generation QLC NAND. This NAND uses 96-layer QLC NAND instead of the 64-layer NAND that the original 660p uses. 

Under the hood, the 665p uses the same Silicon Motion SM2263 controller as the original 660p, making all performance improvements due to Intel’s NAND changes alone. On top of that, Intel will only release this SSD in 1TB and 2TB forms.

Our guess is that Intel dropped the 500GB model to ensure that all 660p models featured a large SLC NAND cache, with both models featuring a large amount of SLC cache at stock, though this cache will decrease in size as the drive is filled. That said, the SLC cache will never be below 12GB on the 1TB model and 24GB on the 2TB model. This SLC cache provides users with a fast buffer before the drive is limited by QLC’s slow write performance. 

Intel releases its 665p SSD with 2nd Gen 96-layer TLC NAND

When compared to the original 660p, Intel’s new 665p is designed to deliver users a 50% increase in endurance, and significant performance advantages in both read and write performance, especially on Intel’s 2TB model. 

Intel’s increased endurance ratings showcase increased confidence in the longevity of QLC NAND, which is a great sign for end users. This means that users of the 665p shouldn’t feat their drives failing due to NAND fatigue, that said, this drive has a lower endurance rating than most TLC-powered SSDs. 

  
Intel releases its 665p SSD with 2nd Gen 96-layer TLC NAND  
Intel plans to release its 665p SSD in early 2020, so expect to see some Black Friday 660p deals as Intel attempts to clear its stock before the 665p hits store shelves. 

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