Great news for the PC world coming from Korean giant Samsung. The company did indeed just unveil a new series of 2.5-inch SSDs based on QLC memory that go to up to 4TB while keeping costs relatively low.
Samsung’s QLC memory uses high-density 4-bit multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash architecture, which is a lower quality technology and less performing than something like TLC or MLC memory.
Nonetheless, the Samsung 860 QVO series can provide sequential read and write speeds of up to 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s, so not too far from nowadays 3-bit MLC SSD, and that’s thanks to Samsung’s latest 4-bit V-NAND technology and the good MJX controller. Additionally, the drive also supports Intelligent TurboWrite technology to accelerate speeds for long period of time.
To keep reliability to acceptable levels, Samsung ensures up to 1,440 terabytes written (TBW) for the 4TB version, 720 TBW and 360 TBW for the 2TB and 1TB versions respectively, plus a three-year limited warranty (less than the usual 5 years).
Samsung 860 QVO Specifications
| Interface | SATA 6 Gbps |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Storage Memory | Samsung V-NAND 4-bit MLC |
| Controller | Samsung MJX Controller |
| DRAM | 4GB LPDDR4 for 4TB 2GB LPDDR4 for 2TB 1GB LPDDR4 for 1TB |
| Capacity | 4TB, 2TB, 1TB4 |
| Sequential Read/Write Speed | Up to 550/520 MB/s |
| Random Read/Write Speed | Up to 97K/89K IOPS |
| Management Software | Magician Software for SSD management |
| Total Bytes Written | 1,440TB (4TB) 720TB (2TB) 360TB (1TB) |
| Warranty | Three (3) Year Limited Warranty5 |
We saved the best part for last – pricing. Samsung’s new entry-level SSD lineup is indeed going to be more affordable than ever, with a starting price of $149.99 for the 1TB variant. Beware that’s MSRP price, it’ll actually be more affordable in online stores very quickly, floating around $100.
While the Samsung 860 QVO series is nothing special under the performance and durability standpoint, these SSD would definitely make a great secondary storage option (along with an M.2 drive) everybody can afford to add to our beloved Chinese laptops.
What do you guys think? Do you agree these could become to go-to drive to add storage for the cheap?
Alex
I’m confused. Can these be used as a main SSD drive, or is the speed/reliability an issue?
Pierpaolo
Yes they can. Speed will be good enough for most users, while reliability might be a problem for some as it could fail or corrupt data more easily. But if you don’t have anything “important” on it, then it’s probably not a real issue.
Brad
I doubt that is true. If it was they would sell NONE. Very little data is not “important” otherwise why would you store it at all?
Pierpaolo
Well, theoretically they are less reliable but it’s hard to tell how much without testing first hands. For the average user they’re probably fine, to others I’d mostly suggest it as a secondary drive. That’s just my opinion though.
Terry Chadban
Got this this morning from one of the discount houses here in Aus, co-incidence? 😉
https://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/Samsung-Cash-Back-Sale-SSD?sc_src=email_4483236&sc_lid=218370500&sc_uid=sJvNWS5eq2&sc_llid=29277&sc_eh=46138c8074383d611
Before you get too excited though, bear in mind that these are Australian jam-jar dollars, not real $US which are about a third more than ours! Still a lot cheaper than normal though.
Chris G
Very good prices, 1TB drivers etc.
Chris G
I’m all for this. I use 850 Evo’s in my dekstop even as a solution for data that’s not HDD slow. So would be great to pcik up a decent priced 2TB version. And still run my OS and apps all off a NVMe 970 Evo.
ice
QLC make sense on 2,5″ ssd as far as the sata3 connection is the bottleneck
I guess a new pcie nvram should come , featuring a sata like fisical connection
SO you can have both layout flexibility and room in your case/motherboard