What’s the difference between SLC, MLC, TLC and 3D NAND?
What is NAND?
NAND is a non-volatile flash memory which can hold data even when it’s not connected to a power source. The ability to retain data when the power is turned off makes NAND a great option for internal, external and portable devices. USB drives, SSDs and SD cards all utilize flash technology, providing memory for devices such as your mobile phone or digital camera.
There are several types of NAND on the market. In simplest terms, what separates each type is the number of bits that can be stored per cell. The bits represent an electrical charge which can only hold one of two values, 0 or 1, on/off.
The key differences between the types of NAND are the cost, capacity, and endurance. Endurance is determined by the number of Programme-Erase (P/E) cycles a flash cell can undergo before it starts to wear out. A P/E cycle is the process of erasing and writing a cell and the more P/E cycles that the NAND technology can sustain the better the endurance of the device.
Common types of NAND flash storage are SLC, MLC, TLC and 3D NAND. This article discusses the different characteristics of each type of NAND.
SLC NAND Pro: Highest endurance - Con: Expensive and low capacities Single-level cell (SLC) NAND stores only 1 bit of information per cell. The cell stores either a 0 or 1 and as a result, the data can be written and retrieved faster. SLC provides the best performance and the highest endurance with 100,000 P/E cycles so it will last longer than the other types of NAND. However, its low data density makes SLC the most expensive type of NAND and therefore not commonly used in consumer products. It is typically used for servers and other industrial applications that require speed and endurance.
MLC NAND Pro: Cheaper than SLC - Con: Slower and less endurance than SLC Multi-level cell (MLC) NAND stores multiple bits per cell, although the term MLC typically equates to 2 bits per cell. MLC has a higher data density than SLC so can therefore be produced in larger capacities. MLC has a good combination of price, performance, and endurance. However, MLC is more sensitive to data errors with 10,000 P/E cycles and therefore has a lower endurance compared to SLC. MLC is usually found in consumer products where endurance is less important.
TLC NAND Pro: Cheapest and high capacities - Con: Low endurance Triple-level cell (TLC) NAND stores 3 bits per cell. By adding more bits per cell, this reduces the cost and increases the capacity. However, this has negative effects on performance and endurance, with only 3,000 P/E cycles. Many consumer products will use TLC as it is the cheapest option.
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