Samsung Introduces 870 EVO SATA SSDs: 128L TLC With an…

Samsung is launching the newest iteration of their mainstream client TLC-based SATA SSDs. The new 870 EVO brings the identical generational updates to Samsung’s 3D NAND and SSD controller that we noticed with final yr’s 870 QVO. The up to date EVO SATA SSD arrives three years after the launch of the Samsung 860 EVO and 860 PRO.

The 870 EVO makes use of the identical sixth-generation Samsung V-NAND (3D NAND) that debuted within the high-end 980 PRO NVMe SSD. Officially, that is “1xx layers”, however all indicators level to it being 128L 3D NAND. This might sound unimpressive when Micron and SK hynix have already introduced their 176-layer 3D NAND, however Samsung’s NAND manufacturing course of is arguably extra superior: they’re nonetheless capable of manufacture all 128L in a single batch, whereas the competitors have all lengthy since adopted string stacking to separate the method into two batches (eg. two teams of 88 layers).

The 870 EVO makes use of the identical Samsung MKX controller we first noticed with the 870 QVO. Samsung nonetheless hasn’t shared what’s improved with this technology of controller, however we get a little bit of a touch from the truth that they declare the 870 EVO affords a 38% enchancment to queue depth 1 random learn latency in comparison with the 860 EVO. Since Samsung has beforehand shared that their 128L 3D TLC solely affords a 10% enchancment in uncooked learn latency, it appears to be like just like the up to date controller could also be an even bigger issue within the drive’s total efficiency improve. Either approach, a 38% enchancment in one of many few efficiency metrics that SATA SSDs have any room to enhance on is a daring declare.

Samsung did not give us the total detailed spec sheet, however among the many primary specs there aren’t any surprises. Peak throughput is as ordinary restricted by the SATA interface. Write endurance remains to be 0.three drive writes per day with a 5 yr guarantee. The capability choices nonetheless run from 250GB to 4TB. Launch MSRPs are considerably greater than present avenue costs for the 860 EVO and are nicely into NVMe worth territory, however we anticipate the 870 EVO’s costs to come back down pretty quickly given the general state of the market with a little bit of an oversupply for NAND flash reminiscence.

We haven’t got a full evaluation of the 870 EVO prepared in the present day as a result of the timing is fairly awkward. It’s a bit cheeky of Samsung to launch this drive simply two enterprise days after the tip of CES, and with solely per week of advance discover. We additionally hadn’t began operating SATA drives by our new 2021 SSD take a look at suite, so the previous a number of days have saved our new testbeds busy testing the 870 EVO and numerous different SATA drives to match in opposition to. Preliminary outcomes present that the 870 EVO improves efficiency throughout the board for our AnandTech Storage Bench hint assessments, although with slight will increase in energy consumption. Samsung’s declare of 38% higher QD1 random learn efficiency additionally appears to be like to be an exaggeration, however we’ll be again later this week with a full evaluation of the take a look at outcomes.

We additionally have not heard any new official info from Samsung about an 870 PRO to spherical out this technology of SATA drives, however they did point out an 870 PRO in passing in a e-newsletter final fall. Since their…