A few months ago, STH was in Seoul, South Korea for Intel’s Memory and Storage Day 2019. As part of that, we got word that the popular Intel 660p SSD would be replaced in Q4 2019. It seems as though Intel has quietly launched the new SSDs. The new Intel SSD 665p series utilizes a new generation of QLC NAND. As a result, we are seeing two SSD capacities: 1TB and 2TB right now without seeing a 512GB unit.
Intel SSD 665p Series Overview
Based on Intel’s newest 96-layer QLC NAND, the new SSDs feature 50% higher endurance. The 1TB model goes from 200TBW with the 660p generation to 300TBW with the 665p generation. On the 2TB side, endurance raises from 400TBW to 600TBW. Here are the key specs:
As STH covered in Next-generation Intel QLC NAND Increases Capacity and Performance, the new Intel 665p is even faster than its predecessor. We see an increase in both sequential read/ write speeds as well as random read/ write IOPS with the new drives.
Intel states that the 665p has “Enhanced Power Loss Data Protection” as well as “End-to-End Data Protection.” The 660p is listed without Enhanced Power Loss Data Protection. It would be absolutely great if Intel is adding PLP to its consumer QLC NAND SSDs, but this seems to conflict with getting the lowest price SSDs to the market.
Final Words
Intel is pushing these drives for client use, but we have also seen them utilized as read caches and boot drives in low-cost servers. The 1TB model is going to be under $200 making it more attractive for widespread deployment. Intel and the industry are moving to QLC to further lower the cost of SSDs and edge out hard drives from the last remaining hard-drive-based designs. We see the 1TB model shipping now and the 2TB model shipping in Q1 2020.
I would not ever choose the 660p or 665p over a TLC drive at the current price point. Once you’ve stored more than 70% of its capacity the performance plummets to maybe a quarter of the original speeds.
At current market prices you can get a Corsair MP510/MP530 (with a much higher TBW and performance) or even a samsung EVO 970 for only a few dollars more but with none of the disadvantages of these Intel drives.