The Intel SSD 660p SSD Review: QLC NAND Arrives For Consumer SSDs

Mixed Random Performance

Our test of mixed random reads and writes covers mixes varying from pure reads to pure writes at 10% increments. Each mix is tested for up to 1 minute or 32GB of data transferred. The test is conducted with a queue depth of 4, and is limited to a 64GB span of the drive. In between each mix, the drive is given idle time of up to one minute so that the overall duty cycle is 50%.

The mixed random I/O performance of the Intel SSD 660p is clearly above the other low-end NVMe drives we've tested, or the Crucial MX500 SATA drive. It scores closer to a mid-range NVMe SSD. After filling the drive, performance is cut in half, leaving it performing near low-end NVMe drives like the Phison E8-based Kingston A1000 and below the MX500.

Power Efficiency in MB/s/W	Average Power in W

The power efficiency of the 660p during the mixed random I/O test is unimpressive but doesn't stand out as being significantly worse that other low-end NVMe drives even when the test is run on a full drive.

Intel SSD 660p 1TBIntel SSD 600p 512GBIntel SSD 760p 512GBKingston A1000 960GBToshiba RC100 480GBHP EX920 1TBOCZ RD400 1TBPhison E12 960GBPlextor M9PeGN 1TBSamsung 970 EVO 1TBSilicon Motion SM2262EN 2TBToshiba XG5 1TBWD Black 1TB (3D NAND)Crucial MX500 1TBIntel SSD 660p 1TB (Full drive)

The Intel SSD 660p shows very slow performance growth throughout most of the test, but it picks up speed reasonably well toward the end as the workload shifts toward pure writes, and the SLC cache handles things well. When the drive is full, the reduced capacity of the SLC cache prevents speed from increasing much.

Mixed Sequential Performance

Our test of mixed sequential reads and writes differs from the mixed random I/O test by performing 128kB sequential accesses rather than 4kB accesses at random locations, and the sequential test is conducted at queue depth 1. The range of mixes tested is the same, and the timing and limits on data transfers are also the same as above.

The Intel SSD 660p performs better than other entry-level NVMe SSDs or SATA drives when the mixed sequential I/O test is run on a mostly empty drive with a large SLC cache. After the drive is filled, performance drops down to slightly ahead of the 600p and Crucial MX500.

Power Efficiency in MB/s/W	Average Power in W

The power efficiency of the Intel SSD 660p during the mixed sequential I/O test is decent when operating entirely out of the SLC cache, and on par with most other low-end NVMe drives when the 660p is full.

Intel SSD 660p 1TBIntel SSD 600p 512GBIntel SSD 760p 512GBKingston A1000 960GBToshiba RC100 480GBHP EX920 1TBOCZ RD400 1TBPhison E12 960GBPlextor M9PeGN 1TBSamsung 970 EVO 1TBSilicon Motion SM2262EN 2TBToshiba XG5 1TBWD Black 1TB (3D NAND)Crucial MX500 1TBIntel SSD 660p 1TB (Full drive)

When the test is run on a mostly-empty 660p the performance shows a very typical bathtub curve and no sign of the SLC cache running out. When the drive is full, performance decreases steadily as the proportion of writes increases.