Why aren't all SSDs SLC (optionally)?

L

Luke M

Gawd
Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
619
Most SSDs are internally SLC/TLC or SLC/QLC (the SLC being used for a write cache). So why not allow the SSD to be formatted as 100% SLC? Should be a simple matter of firmware, yes?
 
Luke M said:
Most SSDs are internally SLC/TLC or SLC/QLC (the SLC being used for a write cache). So why not allow the SSD to be formatted as 100% SLC? Should be a simple matter of firmware, yes?
Click to expand...
That would drastically reduce the capacity, and MOST SSDs will operate as SLC until the current workload exceeds the SLC cache, which would be the capacity of the "SLC formatted drive" anyway. I think you could format the SSD to be 1/4th the maximum size and get nearly identical results as a special SLC mode.
 
The benefit would be consistent performance and endurance.

As far as capacity, at worst it would be 1/3 (TLC) or 1/4 (QLC). Maybe a little more. Consumer SSDs have reached a comfortable size so that's not an insane trade.
 
Some archival, ultra-durable, and "industrial" SSDs are pure SLC. But beyond just the capacity decrease, there is a large cost increase in using SLC compared to even MLC let alone TLC or a variant of QLC.
 
Teenyman45 said:
Some archival, ultra-durable, and "industrial" SSDs are pure SLC. But beyond just the capacity decrease, there is a large cost increase in using SLC compared to even MLC let alone TLC or a variant of QLC.
Click to expand...

It's expensive because it's a special SKU, not because it's complex. Straight SLC is simpler than SLC cache.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top