We Found a Prototype 4 TB Intel QLC SSD
by Anton Shilov on June 9, 2018 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- SSDs
- Intel
- NAND
- Trade Shows
- QLC NAND
- Computex 2018
- Maxio Technology
- SMI
The storage industry is getting exciting again. In order to increase capacity of NAND SSDs, there are two different routes being taken: either increase the number of bits per cell from 3bpc (TLC) to 4bpc (QLC) for a 33% increase, or increase the number of TLC layers per chip from 64 layers to 96 layers for a 50% increase. Each method has benefits and issues, however we have been waiting for the two technologies to actually be found on upcoming drives (rather than just on a press release). As part of the show we found a 4 TB SATA-based drive using a Maxio Technology controller and Intel's latest QLC NAND flash. We also scored some data on the speeds, as well as the state of play of the technologies.
A Prototype 4TB Intel QLC SSD
Intel and Micron are currently shipping 3D QLC NAND-based SSDs to enterprise customers who may intend to use them for WORM (write-once read many) applications or as HDD replacements. While it was obvious that this type of flash memory will eventually find its way to consumer applications at some point, it looks like this will happen earlier than expected. Maxio Technology, a developer of SSD controllers, demonstrated a prototype of its SSD featuring Intel’s 3D QLC NAND memory.
Maxio’s prototype drive is based on the MAS0902A-B2C DRAM-less controller as well as Intel’s N18A 3D QLC memory. The controller features two processing cores and supports a number of Maxio’s proprietary technologies, including AgileECC 2, WriteBooster 2 (SLC caching), Virtual Parity Recovery, and so on. This controller is apparently one of the smallest around, as Maxio stated that it is built on GlobalFoundries' 40 nm process.
UPDATE 6/15: Maxio contacted us to correct its initial statement regarding the manufacturing technology used to make its controller. The company uses GlobalFoundries' planar 40 nm fabrication process to make the MAS0902A chip.
It is noteworthy that while Intel/Micron mentioned that their QLC NAND memory can handle around 1000 program/erase cycles, Maxio states that with its controller this number may not be that high. Maxio was keen to point out that this is a prototype drive using early memory, and it expects that the final version of the NAND to be a lot higher.
A side note about QLC: with more voltage levels per cell, it can be more difficult to read a cell due to voltage drift, and error correcting algorithms are in place to reduce signal bit errors caused by drift. When using cells that contain a higher number of bits, these algorithms have to work hardware to ensure data integrity, which can lead to higher power consumption or more transistors being needed in the controller. It can also have a knock on affect of reducing overall P/E cycles of the memory, which in part could be why this demo was not rated at the full 1000 cycles right now.
The current P/E rating, which may be good enough for high-capacity consumer SSDs where 0.3 DWPD is a typical rating for inexpensive SATA drives with 3D TLC NAND, may not be good enough for applications that require more writes (though, this is not a problem for WORM). Meanwhile, as Maxio and other developers of controllers are learning more about QLC, the endurance rating of memory with their controllers will increase.
From performance point of view, the 4 TB 3D QLC SATA SSD is on par with drives based on various types of 3D TLC NAND, which is not particularly surprising as modern SATA SSDs reach SATA limitations. When it comes to actual numbers, the SSD provides up to 562 MB/s sequential read speed and up to 530 MB/s sequential write speed. Meanwhile, for those who need higher performance, there is the MAS0901 controller that supports DRAM.
The 4 TB drive that Maxio is demonstrating is essentially a 2.5-inch PCB containing four multi-layer NAND memory packages that still feature an ES (engineering sample) status, so it is not like Maxio can ship this design straightaway. Anyhow, 4 TB of NAND in just four packages certainly look impressive.
Maxio sells turnkey SSD solutions, but not complete drives. Therefore, the company cannot make statements regarding retail availability of SSDs based on Intel’s N18A 3D QLC NAND memory and the MAS902A controller. In fact, it is not even completely clear how an SSD supplier would position such a product: 4 TB SATA drive is an overkill for consumers, whereas lower capacities may not look really attractive keeping in mind the current endurance rating of the N18A memory with the MAS0902A-B2C. Meanwhile, 4 TB is not necessary enough for an HDD replacement in datacenters. For what it’s worth, the demonstration of a QLC-based SSD indicates that the new type of memory is here and is heading to all market segments.
Update: Certain specifications about the Intel QLC that were initially published with this article have been removed at the request of Maxio Technology while the product is still in the prototype stages. When we get final numbers, we will publish a news story to confirm them.
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45 Comments
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IndianaKrom - Sunday, June 10, 2018 - link
Why stop at idle? The mechanical hard drives are the loudest part of my PC even at full load thanks to a custom loop water cooler. Fortunately they are just bulk/cool storage so most of the time they are spun down and the 1 TB SSD handles everything else.I suppose I could use a drive like this for my steam library where games could benefit from better loading times without tying up more expensive/reliable MLC on the primary drive. Games don't care if the random and or write performance is terrible, they are almost entirely sequential read by nature (which is why they work fairly well even on mechanical drives). Although since my internet is fast enough to download even 50 GB games in less than 15 minutes I don't need to store them all locally anyway, I can just grab them on demand.
Icehawk - Sunday, June 10, 2018 - link
If you are willing to pay there are up to 600W fanless PSUs, I have one in my 8800 machine and a 420W in the 3770. Combine that with all SSDs and the only noise I typically hear are the 970’s fans during gaming.I’d kill for this drive if it was cheapish, I always need more space and I won’t buy mech drives anymore except for bulk, offline storage - hard to pass on 8gb for $150 for backup purposes.
The_Assimilator - Sunday, June 10, 2018 - link
Fans in PSUs today are quieter than the rattling of mechanical hard drives, especially considering said fans don't even spin at all if you have a half-decent brand.Lolimaster - Monday, June 11, 2018 - link
If you hear the gpu fans then what's the point of going fanless in the 1st place. Yes, HDD's are the biggest offender in noise but a PSU? Even my cheapo Seasonic S12-II Bronze is basically silent when my HDD's are the main noise offender and even disconnecting them I only hear electric noise, not my PSU fans.Oxford Guy - Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - link
If you can hear one lady yelling at you why worry about two more?ImSpartacus - Saturday, June 9, 2018 - link
Yeah, I'd consider a 4TB drive if the cost/GB was competitive.Impulses - Monday, June 11, 2018 - link
I'd settle for slightly cheaper 2TB TLC SATA drives, I'm running 2x 1TB EVOs for my day to day stuff and when I bought them a couple years ago I thought 2TB would've easily dropped below $350 by now... But then the NAND shortage hit. At least they're finally coming down a little, MX500 and the WD/SD have been at $450 for a while now...Oxford Guy - Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - link
No. 640K is enough for anyone.Pork@III - Saturday, June 9, 2018 - link
What is the description of misery?- Intel ...
sheh - Saturday, June 9, 2018 - link
Yeah, QLC sounds scary.