Intel releases 670p SSDs with 144-layer QLC Nand memory

Intel has started selling its 670p SSDs. These are M.2 NVMe SSDs with capacities of 512GB, 1TB and 2TB, which use qlc-nand memory that consists of 144 layers. According to reviews, the SSDs perform well, but are too expensive.

Like the predecessors in the Intel 660p and 665p series, Intel’s new 670p SSDs use qlc nand memory. These are PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs with the M.2-2280 form factor, an SM2265G controller from Silicon Motion and 256MB dram. The ssds use part of the nand as an slc cache.

Compared to their predecessors, the new SSDs have an improved controller and NAND memory that consists of 144 layers. The SSDs are therefore faster, conclude AnandTech and ServeTheHome in reviews of the 2TB version.

However, according to both tech sites, Intel is pricing the 670p SSDs out of the market. Intel gives the variants of 512GB, 1TB and 2TB in the United States suggested retail prices of 90, 155 and 330 dollars. This makes the QLC SSDs more expensive than faster alternatives with TLC Nand memory.