SLC vs MLC SSDs

I used to think high-end, enterprise-level SSDs are made from SLC instead of MLC, because SLC offers greater endurance.

Why then does Intel 750 use MLC? Is my understanding that SLC offers greater endurance wrong?

Thanks.

I used to think high-end, enterprise-level SSDs are made from SLC instead of MLC, because SLC offers greater endurance.

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That was the thought a few years ago but then enterprise MLC was created with similar endurance to SLC and was cheaper to make allowing for larger drives at a lower cost than what SLC offered.


Also the Intel 750 isn't really what Intel calls as enterprise-level however even Intel's Enterprise SSDs have all moved to MLC.

Intel/Enterprise SSDs - Newegg.com

Well 100K writes to 10K writes is a hug difference but these days with multi level caching and stuff, it might work. I still prefer the way micron did it where it works as an SLC drive until it gets to 45% full when it switches to MLC modes.Cost would not really double for SLC and get 10 times the endurance. So it will all depend on the use. Enterprise dont mean much other than higher costs. Most use SSD's to cache data so MLC drives wont really work. The costs less than double but over 10 times the endurance and far higher performance means it is still not cost effective as such. Must be a marketing gimmick of some sort. I also noticed that even though both SLC and MLC chips are the same, cost for MLC was 5 times higher. When it should be 2 times higher and in reality should not even be as much since MLC chips have to be tested to see if they hold the charge needed to detect multi level charges which SLC chips dont need.

SLC costs 2 to 4 times as much as MLC.

SSDs are obsoleting out so fast that MLC lasts long enough to be replaced by the next worthy upgrade that comes out.

Yes SLC has greater endurance, but it also costs more. Any other replies to the contrary is marketing fluff.

I'm not aware of any major players investing in SLC any more. 'tis a shame.

evilsofa said:

SLC costs 2 to 4 times as much as MLC.

SSDs are obsoleting out so fast that MLC lasts long enough to be replaced by the next worthy upgrade that comes out.

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what it is...is that we have TRIM, reduced write amplifications, 1TB vs 60GB and several other things that have made MLC acceptable in enterprise stuff (except in weird niche areas where SLC is still used).