PCStorage SystemsQLC vs 3D Nand Flash SSD Storage Endurance Performance and Specs December 27, 201812550 views0Share By IG ShareIn this post, we are going to compare QLC vs 3D Nand and understand their differences and use cases.Note: If you buy something from our links, we might earn a commission. See our disclosure statement.We have talked about storage technologies quite a lot on our website. Today, we will be discussing two of the latest storage technologies which are creating quite a lot of buzz these days. The first one is 3D Nand technology about which many of us are well aware. The second one is pretty new and not that popular, the QLC technology.Related: WD Blue vs Green SSDsTable of Contents ToggleQLC vs 3D Nand3D Nand:3D Nand – Key Specifications:3D Nand – Applications:Top 3D Nand SSDs:WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD – 500 GB – 6 Gb/s:Best QLC SSDs:Intel SSD 660P Mainstream QLC SSD (1 TB) :Conclusion:QLC vs 3D NandWe will go in in-depth technical details and see how these technologies differ from each other, what relation they share and some other technical stuff. At the end of the post, we will also share a list of storage solutions based on these technologies. So without any more delay, let us begin.3D Nand:In 3D Nand flash memory, cells are stacked in multiple vertical layers. 3D Nands were designed to resolve problems we faced in old 2D or planar Nand technology. It allows storage solutions to achieve better densities while keeping the cost low. The main difference between planar and 3D Nand technology is that Planar NAND uses single memory cell layer, unlike 3D Nand, which comes with multiple layers.Advantages of 3D Nand:It delivers more capacity compared to Planar Nands. For M.2 SSDs, you can get up to 3.5 TB of storage, and on standard 2.5-inch SSDs, you get up to 10 TB of superfast storage.It boosts up speed & performance in both terms of I/O and random read & writes. Moreover, it features fast 4KB read mode.The new sleep feature in Nand technology cuts of power to inactive dies, even if there are active dies in the same package, which helps improving power efficiency3D Nand – Key Specifications:TechnologyMLCTLCDensity32 GB48 GBProcess Node3D3DBits 2 / cell3 / cellPage Size18592 bytes18592 bytesPage Per Block10241536Block Size 18592 KB27888 KBBlock x Plane548 x 4548 x 4Prog (TYP / MAX)1300 / 2500 us1630 / 5000 usP/E Cycle3K + read retry3K + read retryECC / Codeword72b / 1 KB BCH / LDPCLDPC /72-bit BCHBERS (TYP / MAX)15 / 45 ms15 / 45 msR (TYP)77 us100 usSNAP 40 us53 usONFI Compliance4.04.0V-CQC1.2, 1.8 V1.2, 1.8 VPackagesDieBGATSOPDieBGATSOP Package Options 48 pin TSOP(SDP, DDP)–BGA Package OptionsBGA 132(SDP, DDP, QDP, 8DP, 16DP)BGA 132(SDP, DDP, 3DP, QDP, 8DP, 16DP)3D Nand – Applications:Enterprise StorageCloud StorageConsumer StorageClient SSDsEmbeddedMobileAutomotiveQLC (Quad Level Cell):The QLC Nand flash storage allows the consumer to store read-centric workloads quick and easy in large values. The QLC speeds up the process for both accessing and serving the data, which ultimately leads to the better user experience. It will be an upgrade over MLC and TLC NANDs. Compared to TLC, QLC offers 33% more data density for each cell. Following are some key advantages of this storage technology:Advantages of QLC Nand:Compared to traditional HDDs, QLC storage takes fewer drives for delivering read centric and performance intensive workloads. It helps to reduce the overall size of a data store.Compared to traditional HDDs in same performance bracket, QLC SSDs consumes three times less power while delivering high performance I/O per driveThe reduced data consumption leads to reduced operating temperature hence improves coolingAs discussed, it is the way to compact compared to conventional storage solutions and takes up to 41% less physical space and offers more density3D Nand – Applications:Real-Time analytics / Big DataBusiness Intelligence, Decision support systemActive archives, Large block storageRead-intensive artificial intelligenceMachine and deep learningContent delivery, Video on demand, Content streamingNoSQL DatabasesPerform quick user authenticationTop 3D Nand SSDs:Since 3D Nand technology is pretty mature, there are quite a lot of options to choose from. You can easily find top quality SSDs in your target performance and price bracket easily. Anyways, following is a list of some of the best options available out there in the market:WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD – 500 GB – 6 Gb/s:Check on AmazonOverviewCapacity 500 GBInterface Serial ATA 600(6 Gb/s)Internal Data Rate 560 MB/s on reading530 MB/s on writeDrive Transfer Rate 600 MB/s (External)Expansion / Connectivity1x SATA 6 Gb/sCompliant Standards SMARTHard DriveForm Factor M.2 2280Features 3D NAND TechnologyDEVSLP SATA Lower Power ModeSSD Endurance 200 TBType Internal Hard DriveStorage Interface Serial ATA 600Data Transfer Rate 600 MB/sInternal Data Rate 560 MB/sEnvironmental ParametersStorage Temperature-67 F – 185 FOperating Temperature 32 F – 158 FPower Consumption (2050 mW) Active(3350 mW) Read(52 mW) Sleep(56 mW) WriteVibration Tolerance Operating 5 G Acceleration10-2000 Hz frequency rangeNon-Operating4.9 G Acceleration7-800 Hz frequency rangeDimension & WeightDimension 0.9 x 0.1 x 3.1 inchesWeight 0.25 ozService & SupportBrand WDProduct Line / ModelWD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSDWDS500G2BOBPackage Quantity 1 UnitWarranty 3 years of limited warranty from the manufacturerWD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD – 500 GB – 6 Gb/s:OverviewCapacity 500 GBInterface M.2 CardSerial ATA 600Encryption Algorithm256 bit AESMTBF 1800000 secHardware EncryptionYes Details TCG Opal Encryption 2.0Nand Memory Type Single Level Cell (SLV)Expansion / Connectivity 1x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 CardCompliant Standards SMARTHard DriveForm Factor M.2 2280Features 3D NAND TechnologyActive Garbage CollectionPower Loss Data ProtectionUpgradable FirmwareAdaptive Thermal ProtectionDevice Sleep SupportError Correction CodeMicrosoft eDrive CompatibleMultistep Data Integrity AlgorithmRedundant Array of Independent NANDTRIM SupportDynamic Write AccelerationSSD Endurance 180 TBType Internal Hard DriveStorage Interface Serial ATA 600Data Transfer Rate 600 MB/sInternal Data Rate 560 MB/s (read)510 MB/s (write)4 KB Random Read950004 KB Random Read90000Environmental ParametersStorage Temperature–Operating Temperature 32 F – 158 FPower Consumption –Dimension & WeightDimension 0.9 inches x 3.1 inchesWeight –Service & SupportBrand CrucialProduct Line / ModelCrucial MX500Package Quantity 1Warranty 5 Years of limited warranty from the manufacturerWD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD – 500 GB – 6 Gb/s:OverviewCapacity 128 GBInterface SATA 6 Gb/sMTBF 2000000 secNand Memory Type 3D Triple-level cell (TLC)Compliant Standards –Hard DriveForm Factor M.2 2280Features DRAM CacheDev-Sleep ModeIntelligent SLC CachingLDPC Error Correction CodeSMI ControllerSSD Endurance –Type Internal Hard DriveStorage Interface Serial ATA 600Data Transfer Rate 600 MB/sInternal Data Rate 560 MB/s (Read)520 MBs (Write)Environmental ParametersStorage Temperature-40 F – 185 FOperating Temperature 32 F – 159 FPower Consumption –Shock Tolerance Operating 1500 G Acceleration0.5 ms Shock DurationNon-Operating–Dimension & WeightDimension 0.9 x 3.1 x 0.1 inchesWeight 0.28 ozService & SupportBrand ADATAProduct Line / ModelADATA UltimateSU 800Package Quantity 1Warranty 3 years of limited warrantyBest QLC SSDs:Unfortunately, the QLC technology has not yet matured as much as other standards like MLC and TLC have (which are used for 3D Nand SSDs). However, Intel has taken the initiative to launch the first ever QLC SSD available openly for sale. Samsung has also announced about their upcoming SSDs based on this technology. For now, here is a quick look at this one and only QLC SSD available out there on online stores by Intel:Intel SSD 660P Mainstream QLC SSD (1 TB) :Check on AmazonIntel SSD 660p is getting pretty popular as a mainstream storage solution for the impressive capacity, the performance it offers in real-world workloads while keeping the power efficiency at its finest. Technically, you will only be paying around 0.20 bucks per GB of storage. And for your surprise, there is not a single storage solution available in the same performance bracket that gets any closer to this figure. Still, it is pretty new in the market and lacks testing/benchmarks from a trusted source. We will recommend going for some other high endurance solution which will last better under heavy workloads. Regardless, the following is a quick look at some facts and figures:OverviewBrand IntelSeries 660pModelSSDPEKNW010T8X1Type Internal SSD (Solid State Drive)Product Type Mainstream (Consumer)DetailsForm Factor M.2 2280Capacity1 TBMemory Components3D NANDInterface PCIe 3.0 x4PerformanceRead (Sequential)1800 MB/s MaxWrite (Sequential)1800 MB/s Max4 KB Random Read 150000 IOPS Max4 KB Random Write 220000 IOPS MaxMTBF1600000 hoursEnvironmental ParametersPower Consumption40 mW (Idle)100 mW (Active)TemperatureOperation: 0 C ~ 70 CStorage: -55 C ~ 95 CHumidity5 – 95%Shock Resistance 1000 G / 0.5 ms (Operational)1500 G / 0.5 ms (Idle)Vibration Resistance2.17 G at 5 – 700 Hz (Operational)3.13 G at 5 – 800 Hz (Idle)Dimension & WeightDimension2.38 x 22 x 80 mmWeight~ 10 gWarranty & SupportType Limited Warranty on Parts and LaborDuration5 years of warranty from the manufacturerConclusion:We hope this post helps you to understand everything related to these storage technologies and all the differences they share. As QLC technology gets more mature and more products are made mainstream for general users, we will keep updating you with all the latest information and products available.For now, feel free to ask any questions or suggestion in the comment section below. We post such stuff regularly, so make sure you subscribe to this blog as well, if you haven’t done already. See you until next post, Thanks for visiting us! Affiliate Disclosure: Faceofit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Share What's your reaction? Excited 3 Happy 1 In Love 0 Not Sure 0 Silly 0
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