Intel 660p Series M.2 2280 512GB NVMe SSD.......$99.99 w/fs

[daveybrat]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...67460&cm_re=intel_660p-_-20-167-460-_-Product

Details
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Capacity
512GB
Memory Components
3D NAND
Interface
PCI-Express 3.0 x4
Performance
Max Sequential Read
Up to 1500 MBps
Max Sequential Write
Up to 1000 MBps
4KB Random Read
Up to 90,000 IOPS
4KB Random Write
Up to 220,000 IOPS
MTBF
1,600,000 hours

 

[VirtualLarry]

I almost said, "I paid that much for mine a few years ago."

Then I realized, this is a 660p, not a 600p. Then I did a double-take, and wondered, what is this new 660p? I remember reading some speculation threads that it was going to be QLC, and a "budget" drive (even if Intel and M.2 NVMe).

I assume that this is a competitor to Adata's SX6000 drive, of which I also picked up a 512GB model for around the same price a few weeks ago.

I don't have spare money right now, or I'd pick one of these up too, to test and compare.

So, are these QLC, or was the more recent roadmap correct, and these are just newer 3D TLC 64-layer NAND? Why so cheap (for an Intel)? I admit, for a 512GB-sized drive, the specs on the sequential
are pretty poor. Are these DRAM-less? (Using NVMe 1.3 and HMB, Host Memory Buffe?)

Edit: Oh, took a look at the link, and they ARE QLC!

Compared to TLC's capacity, Intel 3D NAND QLC technology stores more bits per cell, allowing for higher capacity, faster read performance and lower power consumption per drive.

Interesting! It should be instructive, to see how long one of these lasts, and if QLC makes it in the SSD marketplace, now that Intel of all companies is pushing it.