SLC Cache
SLC Cache
At 0% after formats, DRAMless SSDs lack a real cache. The 160GB storage uses overprovisioned TLC cells functioning like SLC—each cell can only be written to once instead of three. As the drive fills, it shrinks, but as long as you stay under 160GB, performance remains optimal. This trend is illustrated by TechPowerUp’s chart, showing how writing speeds peak until the drive is nearly full. Even though average write speeds match SATA 3, read and data latency are where NVMe truly excels. That’s the gap between CPU requests and SSD retrieval, especially noticeable in data-heavy tasks like machine learning and high-res video editing.
I wonder what factors influence the 2500 MB/s rate in that SLC cache. It seems the 980 SSD specifications aren't mentioned, so there might be differences in performance or testing conditions.
The specifications of an SSD are essentially just a bunch of irrelevant details. Many factors influence its performance, so focusing only on specs doesn’t help decide what’s truly dependable or cost-effective. Just skip the numbers and check real reviews instead.