# Intel 665P 1TB — Second-Gen QLC NVMe SSD (2026)

The Intel 665P 1TB is Intel's second-generation QLC NVMe drive, upgrading to 96-layer NAND for better performance and 50% higher endurance over the 660P.

Quick answer: The Intel 665P 1TB is a competent QLC NVMe drive that improved on the 660P's weaknesses with better endurance and a more flexible SLC cache. However, it has been discontinued and replaced by the significantly faster 670P. The 665P only makes sense as a used-market find at a discount. For a similar price, the Intel 670P 1TB offers 3,500/2,700 MB/s speeds and 370 TBW — making it the clearly superior choice for new purchases.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2263EN |
| Memory type | Intel 96L 3D QLC |
| DRAM cache | DDR3L |
| Sequential read | 2000 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 2000 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 250000 |
| Random write IOPS | 250000 |
| Endurance | 300 TBW |
| MTBF | 1200000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

The Intel 665P 1TB is rated at up to 2,000 MB/s sequential reads and 2,000 MB/s sequential writes, with random performance up to 250K IOPS for both reads and writes. These represent a modest improvement over the 660P's 1,800/1,800 MB/s, with the biggest gains in mixed workloads and sustained writes.

The dynamic SLC cache is the 665P's key improvement over the 660P. The cache scales based on free space, providing more burst write headroom on partially-filled drives. TweakTown's testing showed the 665P completing a 100GB mixed-file write 2.85x faster than the 660P — a significant real-world improvement. Game level loading times were also competitive with TLC drives.

After the SLC cache exhausts, direct-to-QLC write speeds drop to roughly 185-320 MB/s depending on the workload. This is better than the 660P's ~100-150 MB/s but still a noticeable limitation for large file transfers. For typical consumer workloads — OS boot, application launches, game installs — the cache handles the majority of writes without issue.

The 665P draws 100 mW active and 40 mW idle, making it power-efficient for laptop use. The single-sided PCB (at 1TB) is compatible with thin-and-light laptops.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Intel backs the 665P 1TB with a 5-year limited warranty and a 300 TBW endurance rating. The 300 TBW is a 50% improvement over the 660P 1TB's 200 TBW, reflecting the 96-layer NAND's improved endurance characteristics. At 30 GB of writes per day, that translates to roughly 27 years of theoretical endurance. The 5-year warranty is the practical limiting factor.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 5-year warranty
- 300 TBW endurance — 50% better than 660P
- Dynamic SLC cache improves burst writes
- 2,000/2,000 MB/s sequential speeds
- Power efficient — 100 mW active
**Cons:**

- Discontinued — replaced by 670P
- Sustained write speed drops after cache exhaustion
- Outclassed by 670P at similar price
- Only available in 1TB and 2TB
- QLC NAND limits write-heavy workloads


## Verdict

The Intel 665P 1TB is a competent QLC NVMe drive that improved on the 660P's weaknesses with better endurance and a more flexible SLC cache. However, it has been discontinued and replaced by the significantly faster 670P. The 665P only makes sense as a used-market find at a discount. For a similar price, the Intel 670P 1TB offers 3,500/2,700 MB/s speeds and 370 TBW — making it the clearly superior choice for new purchases.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the Intel 665P have DRAM?

Yes. The 665P has DDR3L DRAM for FTL mapping. The exact capacity is not publicly specified by Intel, but it is sufficient for maintaining consistent random I/O performance.

### Is the Intel 665P good for gaming?

Yes. The 2,000/2,000 MB/s speeds are adequate for gaming, and the dynamic SLC cache handles game installs well. TweakTown's testing showed competitive game level loading times. The 1TB capacity holds 15-20 AAA games. For a budget gaming drive, it is serviceable.

### What is the TBW endurance of the 665P 1TB?

Intel rates the 665P 1TB at 300 TBW. This is 50% higher than the 660P 1TB (200 TBW) but lower than the 670P 1TB (370 TBW). At 30 GB of writes per day, it would take roughly 27 years to reach the limit.

### How does the 665P compare to the 670P?

The 670P is significantly faster: 3,500/2,700 MB/s vs 2,000/2,000 MB/s. The 670P also has higher endurance (370 TBW vs 300 TBW) and a newer controller. The 665P has been discontinued. Choose the 670P unless the 665P is substantially cheaper on the used market.

### Is the 665P still worth buying?

Only at a significant discount on the used market. The 670P offers substantially better performance and endurance at a similar price point. If you already have a 665P in your system, it is a perfectly adequate NVMe drive — but do not seek out a new one.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/intel-665p-1-tb