Intel Launches First Consumer QLC NAND SSD

Intel Launches First Consumer QLC NAND SSD
Intel Launches First Consumer QLC NAND SSD

Unfortunately — and this is simply a function of how NAND works — there’s no way to boost storage capacity by increasing the amount of data stored per cell without simultaneously whacking performance. As the number of bits of information in the cell rises, the number of discrete voltage levels programmed within that cell rises as well. The more voltage levels, the longer it takes to program the NAND and the more careful the controller has to be about not inappropriately overwriting adjacent cells when performing writes. Anandtech has a review of the new drives and their specifications and pricing:

Image by Anandtech
Image by Anandtech

Just as with TLC, SLC (single-level cell) caching is being used to improve drive performance. By having a small partition of SLC NAND on-drive, Intel can accelerate most common use cases while still offering low-cost storage capability. This actually required AT to change its test protocol — at low storage fill rates, the drive mostly treats the QLC drive as an SLC cache. As the drive fills, the amount of space available for SLC caching drops and the drive’s performance drops with it.

In most cases, the penalty for a full drive is not this bad, but the spread between empty and full performance is often large. Data by Anandtech
In most cases, the penalty for a full drive is not this bad, but the spread between empty and full performance is often large. Data by Anandtech

The graph here is from just one benchmark (we highly recommend reading the whole review), but it shows the split between when the SLC cache is available and when it isn’t. If you keep this drive lightly loaded, it offers amazing performance, often competing well against other, much more expensive NVMe drives. If you load it to nearly full, performance can drop precipitously. However, as AT notes, it’s actually rare for drives to be hammered this much. Most users have relatively light storage workloads, and a flexible drive like this can offer high performance through most of its capacity.

The one reason to hold off would be to see if QLC drives have any of the problems that plagued TLC drives early in their lives. I don’t want to overdraw the comparison here, because there’s been one major change: When TLC drives like the 840 Evo ran into problems, they were being built on 20nm planar NAND. Today, we’re using 3D NAND on a larger process to manufacture the drives. That’s what made QLC possible in the first place, and it’s why it may not be accurate to assume problems with TLC will lead to issues with QLC. All the same, caveat emptor — at least for now. Be advised that in the past, changing voltage values over time have required drives to receive firmware updates to preserve performance.

Continue reading

Intel Launches AMD Radeon-Powered CPUs
Intel Launches AMD Radeon-Powered CPUs

Intel's new Radeon+Kaby Lake hybrid CPUs are headed for store shelves. Here's how the SKUs break down and what you need to know.

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Is Leaking into Space
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Is Leaking into Space

NASA reports the probe grabbed so much regolith from the asteroid that it's leaking out of the collector. The team is now working to determine how best to keep the precious cargo from escaping.

Intel’s Raja Koduri to Present at Samsung Foundry’s Upcoming Conference
Intel’s Raja Koduri to Present at Samsung Foundry’s Upcoming Conference

Intel's Raja Koduri will speak at a Samsung foundry event this week — and that's not something that would happen if Intel didn't have something to say.

Review: The Oculus Quest 2 Could Be the Tipping Point for VR Mass Adoption
Review: The Oculus Quest 2 Could Be the Tipping Point for VR Mass Adoption

The Oculus Quest 2 is now available, and it's an improvement over the original in every way that matters. And yet, it's $100 less expensive than the last release. Having spent some time with the Quest 2, I believe we might look back on it as the headset that finally made VR accessible to mainstream consumers.