Differences Among SSD NAND Flash Memory: QLC/SLC/MLC/TLC
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- Differences Among SSD NAND Flash Memory: QLC/SLC/MLC/TLC

Summary
Some users may confuse about that why SSD with same capacity but are expensive than others? Similar to race cars, it is all about what is under the hood.

Automatic 4K alignment Improves SSD performance during system migration.
Support GPT and MBR Automatically adapt to the suitable partition format.
Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy various files in different file systems.
Back up quickly Back up files at up to 3,000MB/min.
Overall backup schedule Support system redeployment/system backup/partition backup/disk backup/disk clone.
Automatic 4K alignment Improve SSD performance
Support GPT and MBR Intelligently adapt to a partition format
Support NTFS and FAT32 Redeploy files in different file systems
Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!The Anatomy of an SSD
The Anatomy of an SSD
B. DDR Memory: Small amount of volatile memory (requires power to maintain data) used to save cache information for future access. Not available on all SSD.
C. Controller: The main connector between the NAND flash and your computer.

What is NAND Flash Memory?
What is NAND Flash Memory?

Single Level Cell - SLC
Single Level Cell - SLC
Pros:
- The fastest NAND flash memory in reading/writing.
- Has the longest lifespan and charge cycles over any other type of flash.
- Being most accurate when reading/writing.
Cons:
- The most expensive type of NAND flash.
- Often provided in smaller capacities.
Recommended for:
Industrial use and workloads that require heavy reading/writing cycles such as servers.
Multi Level Cell - MLC
Multi Level Cell - MLC
Pros:
- Lower production cost and provides larger SSD capacities.
- More stable than TLC flash.
Not so durable and reliable as SLC or enterprise SSDS.
Recommended for:
Everyday consumer use, gamers, etc.
Triple Level Cell - TLC
Triple Level Cell – TLC
Pros:
Lower production cost leads to a cheaper SSD choice in SSD market.
Cons:
- The life span of TLC is much shorter than that of SLC and MLC.
- The read/write speed is the slowest among all flash types.
Recommended for:
Everyday consumer use, web/email machines, netbooks, and tablets.
Quad Level Cell – QLC
Quad Level Cell – QLC
Advantages:
- Writing and accessing can be processed by fewer driver software than the other 3 types of NAND flash memory.
- More storage capacity, higher storage density and lower price.
1. The Life Span of QLC has been Expended

2. The Transmission Speed of QLC SSD is not so Poor
SSD Brand & Model | Continuous Reading Speed | Continuous Writing Speed |
---|---|---|
Intel 660p 542GB QLC SSD | 1500 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Crucial P1 500GB QLC SSD | 1900 MB/s | 950 MB/s |
Conclusion
Conclusion
NAND Flash | SLC - Single Level Cell | MLC - Multi-Level Cell | TLC - Triple Level Cell | QLC – Quad Level Cell |
---|---|---|---|---|
Read/Write Cycles | 90,000-100,000 | 8,000-10,000 | 500-1000 | 1000 |
Bit Per Cell | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Writing Speed | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Endurance | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Cost | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Usage | Industrial/Enterprise | Consumer/Gamer | Consumer | Users has a huge demand on data storage |
SSD Brand & Model | NAND Flash Memory Type | Reading Power Consumption | Reading Power Consumption/hour | Writing Power Consumption | Writing Power Consumption/hour |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Digital S240G1G0A 240GB | SLC | 2.000 W | 0.002000 kW·h | 2.5 W | 0.002500 kW·h |
Samsung 970 PRO 512GB | MLC | 5.200 W | 0.005200 kW·h | 5.2 W | 0.005200 kW·h |
Kingston A1000 480GB | TLC | 0.458 W | 0.000458 kW·h | 0.908 W | 0.000908 kW·h |
Intel SSD 660p 542GB | QLC | 0.100 W | 0.000100 kW·h | 0.1 W | 0.000100 kW·h |
Part 8: Price of Hard Disk with 4 Different NAND Flash Memory
Part 8: Price of Hard Disk with 4 Different NAND Flash Memory
SSD Manufacturer and Model | NAND Flash Memory | Price on Amazon ($) | Dollars/GB |
---|---|---|---|
Western Digital S240G1G0A 240GB | SLC | $42 | $0.18 |
Silicon SP240GBSS3S56B25AZ 240GB | SLC | $89.99 | $0.37 |
Samsung 970 PRO 512GB | MLC | $167.99 | $0.33 |
Kingston KC1000 480GB | MLC | $204.99 | $0.43 |
Intel DC S3520 480GB | MLC | $320 | $0.67 |
Kingston KC400 512GB | TLC | $99.99 | $0.2 |
Intel 600P M.2 2280 512GB | TLC | $100 | $0.2 |
Lexar NS100 480GB | TLC | $85.99 | $0.18 |
Intel SSD 660p 542GB | QLC | $89.99 | $0.17 |
Crucial P1 500GB | QLC | $89.99 | $0.18 |
ADATA SU630 480GB | QLC | $57.99 | $0.12 |
Source: Amazon, Jan, 2019/1/7

Provides multiple functions like backup, restore, clone, system migration.
Clone all data (including system) in HDD to smaller SSD or larger HDD. Disk could boot PC after clone finished.
Supports to migrate Windows to SSD with a few clicks.
4K alignment will be processed when clone disk, migrate system, restore disk or system.
Backup & restore system/disk/folder. Auto backup plans are available.
Provides functions like backup, restore, clone, system migration.
Clone all data (including system) in HDD to smaller SSD or larger HDD.
Backup & restore system/disk/folder. Auto backup plans are available.
Compatible with: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP / 2008 / 2012(32bit/64bit) / Server 2008