SK Hynix’s New QLC Technology

For enthusiasts of SSDs, QLC (Quad-Level Cell) has often been synonymous with cost-cutting at the expense of performance and durability. Mind you, the newly announced 321-layer QLC flash memory chips from SK Hynix could flip this narrative.

These chips, boasting up to 100% faster transfer speeds and 56% improved write performance, will redefine consumer expectations from QLC. With each chip packing 2 Tb (256 GB) of memory due to these additional layers, they can offer higher capacity and lower costs, essential for modern gaming PCs.

You might find that many current SSDs feature around 200 layers; a jump to 321 layers represents a significant technological advancement. This translates to using fewer chips to achieve the same storage capacity, potentially lowering price points for gamers.

Read more about the promising performance boost:

• A 50% increase in planes per die allows for greater data transfer capabilities and more frequent read/write operations.
• Improvements in performance metrics: Data transfer speeds have doubled, with read capabilities growing by 18%.

For now, however, while these innovative flash chips are in mass production, they won’t hit consumer markets until next year. This places gaming PCs at the forefront of a storage revolution, where cheaper QLC drives could operate at speeds comparable to traditional TLC drives.

For more details on SK Hynix’s QLC chips, check out the official press announcement from SK Hynix here.