# Intel SSD 670P 1TB QLC NVMe Review (2026)

The Intel 670P 1TB is the mid-capacity option in Intel's third-generation QLC NVMe line, offering a strong price-to-capacity ratio with the newer SM2265G controller and 144-layer QLC flash.

Quick answer: The Intel 670P 1TB is a solid budget QLC NVMe SSD that delivers competitive read speeds and generous capacity at a low cost per GB. It is best suited for users who primarily read data -- game libraries, media consumption, OS drives -- rather than those who frequently write large files. For sustained write workloads, a TLC NVMe drive like the Kingston KC2500 or WD Blue SN570 is a better investment. At this capacity the 670P offers strong value, and the 370 TBW endurance provides peace of mind for typical consumer use.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2265G |
| Memory type | Intel 144L 3D QLC |
| DRAM cache | Nanya 256MB DDR3L |
| Sequential read | 3500 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 2500 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 220000 |
| Random write IOPS | 330000 |
| Endurance | 370 TBW |
| MTBF | 1200000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

At 3,500 MB/s sequential reads and 2,500 MB/s writes, the 1 TB 670P comes close to saturating the PCIe 3.0 x4 interface -- an impressive showing for a QLC drive. The read speed matches many mainstream TLC competitors, and the write speed is competitive with entry-level TLC NVMe drives as long as writes stay within the SLC cache.

Random IOPS land at 220,000 reads and 330,000 writes. The write IOPS figure is strong and reflects the SM2265G controller's improved handling of QLC flash. Read IOPS, while decent, trail TLC drives like the Samsung 970 EVO by a notable margin.

The QLC caveat: once the SLC cache is exhausted, write performance drops to the native QLC write speed, which is substantially slower than TLC. AnandTech's testing of the 2 TB model showed the 670P performed well in real-world traces where idle time allowed the cache to flush, but struggled under sustained heavy write workloads. The 1 TB model, with its 12 GB minimum cache, is more vulnerable to cache exhaustion than the 2 TB.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Intel rates the 670P 1 TB at 370 TBW over its 5-year warranty, equating to roughly 203 GB of writes per day. At 0.2 drive writes per day, this endurance is 85% higher than the older 660P at the same capacity (200 TBW) and close to the 0.3 DWPD typical of mainstream TLC drives. For consumers writing 20 to 50 GB daily, the endurance limit is far out of reach. Warranty service is through Intel's standard RMA process, limited by whichever comes first: the 5-year term or the TBW threshold.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 3,500 MB/s sequential reads
- 2,500 MB/s sequential writes
- 370 TBW endurance, improved over 660P
- DRAM cache (256 MB Nanya DDR3L)
- Single-sided M.2 2280 fits thin laptops
- 5-year warranty
**Cons:**

- QLC write speed drops after SLC cache fills
- 220,000 random read IOPS, below TLC competitors
- 0.2 DWPD endurance lower than TLC drives
- 12 GB minimum SLC cache is modest
- PCIe 3.0 only


## Verdict

The Intel 670P 1TB is a solid budget QLC NVMe SSD that delivers competitive read speeds and generous capacity at a low cost per GB. It is best suited for users who primarily read data -- game libraries, media consumption, OS drives -- rather than those who frequently write large files. For sustained write workloads, a TLC NVMe drive like the Kingston KC2500 or WD Blue SN570 is a better investment. At this capacity the 670P offers strong value, and the 370 TBW endurance provides peace of mind for typical consumer use.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Intel 670P 1TB good for gaming?

For game loading, the 670P 1 TB is excellent -- 3,500 MB/s reads and a generous SLC cache mean installed games load just as fast as they would on a TLC NVMe drive. The 1 TB capacity holds the OS plus 15 to 20 AAA titles. The QLC write penalty only affects game installation and updates, not loading or gameplay.

### What is the TBW endurance of the Intel 670P 1TB?

The 1 TB model is rated at 370 TBW over its 5-year warranty, which is 0.2 drive writes per day. This translates to about 203 GB of writes daily, far above typical consumer workloads of 20 to 40 GB per day. The endurance is 85% higher than the older 660P at the same capacity (200 TBW).

### How does the Intel 670P compare to the 660P?

The 670P is a substantial upgrade. It moves from 64-layer QLC on the SM2263 to 144-layer QLC on the SM2265G controller. At 1 TB, reads jump from 1,800 to 3,500 MB/s, endurance from 200 to 370 TBW, and the SLC cache is larger and smarter. The 670P also handles sustained writes better, though QLC native write speed remains slow relative to TLC.

### Does the Intel 670P 1TB have DRAM?

Yes. The 670P includes a 256 MB Nanya DDR3L DRAM chip for the flash translation layer. This is a dedicated DRAM cache rather than a host memory buffer. The DRAM helps maintain consistent random I/O performance, which matters more on QLC drives where native flash performance is slow.

### What happens when the SLC cache fills on the 670P 1TB?

Once the SLC cache is exhausted, writes go directly to QLC NAND at much lower speeds. The 1 TB model has a minimum SLC cache of 12 GB and a maximum of 140 GB on an empty drive. For most consumer workloads with idle time for background cache flushing, the cache rarely fills. Sustained large-file transfers (video files, disk images) will exceed the cache and expose the slower native QLC write speed.

### Is the Intel 670P 1TB compatible with PS5?

No. Sony requires PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs with at least 5,500 MB/s sequential reads. The 670P is a PCIe 3.0 QLC drive with 3,500 MB/s reads, which does not meet Sony's requirements.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/intel-670p-1-tb