The Intel SSD 670p is a reasonable choice for everyday computing, game storage and workloads dominated by reads or short writes—but it is less appealing for frequent, long file transfers. Its QLC NAND and SLC cache help it feel responsive in ordinary use; once a sustained write outgrows the available cache, performance can fall sharply. Whether it is a good buy now also depends on its current price versus suitable TLC drives, not its 2021 launch price.
What the Intel SSD 670p is
Intel announced the 670p in March 2021 as a client SSD for everyday computing and mainstream gaming. It uses 144-layer QLC NAND in an M.2 2280 form factor and connects over PCIe 3.0 x4 using NVMe. It was offered in 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB capacities. Intel’s description of the drive’s intended uses is product positioning, not a guarantee that it suits every gaming or workstation workload. Intel’s launch announcement and StorageReview’s specifications document the product.
QLC stores four bits per cell, allowing higher capacity per chip than TLC, which stores three. That capacity advantage comes with a trade-off: native QLC writes can be slow, so drives commonly use part of their NAND as faster SLC cache. The 670p’s peak write rating therefore describes a best-case rate, not a speed it can sustain indefinitely.
How fast is it in practice?
For system responsiveness, application launches, game reads and short transfers, the 670p can perform well. Independent reviews published in 2021 found competitive results in many tests, particularly for reads and bursts. Those reviews are useful for understanding the drive’s behavior, but they are not current head-to-head comparisons with drives sold today.
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#1 Best Overall
- 1B Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- Up to 3500 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. Up to 2500 MB/s Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
Peak specifications are not sustained-write promises
StorageReview lists family maximums of up to 3,500 MB/s sequential read and 2,700 MB/s sequential write, plus up to 310K random-read and 340K random-write IOPS for 4 KB operations. These are ratings, not results every user should expect in every workload. Intel’s specification sheet for the 1 TB model lists up to 3,500 MB/s read and 2,500 MB/s write. Capacity and test conditions matter, so compare like-for-like models and do not treat either figure as a continuous-write guarantee. Intel’s 1 TB specification sheet gives the capacity-specific figures.
What happens when the cache runs out
A large, uninterrupted transfer may exceed the cache available at that moment. In StorageReview’s particular 2 TB test context, the reviewer described write speeds falling after roughly 10–15 GB of continuous writing, from around 500 MB/s toward 100 MB/s. StorageReview used a modified process that partitioned 1% of the drive for its QLC workloads; its numbers are not a universal cache threshold or a guaranteed speed for every capacity, fill state or workload. PCWorld also observed slower writes after secondary cache was exhausted, including in a 450 GB single-file write. Tom’s Hardware reported strong burst behavior but identified sustained writing as a weakness, while noting dynamic cache behavior and recovery on the 2 TB model. StorageReview, PCWorld and Tom’s Hardware describe different review tests; their results should not be collapsed into one fixed slowdown point.
Rank #2
- 512MB Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- Up to 3000 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. Up to 1600 MB/s Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
Is the 670p good for gaming?
For a gaming PC, the 670p can be a sensible drive for the operating system and a game library if the price is attractive and the computer supports it. Games involve substantial reading, and typical play does not resemble repeatedly writing hundreds of gigabytes in one uninterrupted transfer. The drive’s strong burst and read behavior in 2021 reviews is consistent with that use.
It is a less compelling choice if your gaming workflow also involves frequent large game captures, moving huge libraries, or other sustained writes. In those cases, compare a suitable TLC SSD at the same capacity and current local price. Do not assume that “NVMe” or a headline sequential-write number alone predicts performance during a long transfer.
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- 2B Storage Capacity
- M2. 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Interface
- Up to 3500 MB/s Sequential Read Speeds. Up to 2700 MB/s Sequential Write Speeds. Intel QLC 3D NAND
Endurance and warranty
The 670p’s rated endurance increases with capacity: 185 TBW for 512 GB, 370 TBW for 1 TB and 740 TBW for 2 TB. TBW means terabytes written: a rated write limit associated with the warranty terms, not a countdown that predicts the exact date a drive will fail. Intel lists a five-year limited warranty. The endurance figures and warranty are reproduced in independent product specifications, including StorageReview’s specifications and ComputerBase’s 1 TB review.
Lower endurance ratings than many TLC alternatives matter most to people who write large amounts of data regularly. For ordinary client use, TBW alone is not a reason to predict failure or reject the drive; consider your workload and the alternative’s own endurance rating as well.
Rank #4
- Storage Capacity: 2TB.
- Form Factor: M.2 22 x 80mm.
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe.
- Sequential Read Speed (Up To): 3500 MB/s.
- Sequential Write Speed (Up To): 2700 MB/s.
Specifications by capacity
| Capacity | Rated endurance | Sequential read/write maximums stated in sources |
|---|---|---|
| 512 GB | 185 TBW | Family maximums listed by StorageReview: up to 3,500/2,700 MB/s; not a capacity-specific guarantee. |
| 1 TB | 370 TBW | Intel sheet and ComputerBase: up to 3,500/2,500 MB/s. |
| 2 TB | 740 TBW | Family maximums listed by StorageReview: up to 3,500/2,700 MB/s; not a capacity-specific guarantee. |
The drive family’s form factor and interface are M.2 2280 and PCIe 3.0 x4/NVMe. Maximums vary by capacity and conditions; a peak specification should not be read as a sustained-write result. Sources: StorageReview, Intel’s 1 TB sheet and ComputerBase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How it compared in 2021 reviews
The independent assessments were broadly conditional rather than unanimous endorsements. PCWorld found competitive results across its tests apart from a 450 GB single-file write, describing the drive as an excellent reader and a good writer while on cache; it questioned the drive’s relatively low TBW rating. ComputerBase’s June 2021 1 TB review found improvement over Intel’s 660p and 665p predecessors, but noted that the 670p did not always match inexpensive TLC drives and that write performance and price limited its appeal. Tom’s Hardware likewise praised application responsiveness and bursts while flagging sustained writes. These are reviews of 2021 products and prices, not evidence that the 670p beats current alternatives. PCWorld, ComputerBase and Tom’s Hardware provide the review context.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
What to check before buying
- Workload: If use is mostly reads and short mixed bursts, the 670p’s QLC trade-off is easier to accept. If you regularly write large files continuously, favor a drive with stronger sustained-write behavior.
- Comparable alternative: Compare the same capacity and current region-specific price against suitable TLC SSDs. The 2021 launch MSRPs—$89 for 512 GB, $154 for 1 TB and $329 for 2 TB—are historical US prices, not current buying guidance. PCWorld reported those launch MSRPs.
- Host compatibility: Check the computer’s documentation for an M.2 2280 slot that supports PCIe/NVMe, and confirm the specific capacity is supported. A physical M.2 slot alone does not establish interface support or clearance; compatibility with a particular laptop or motherboard has not been established here.
- Capacity-specific figures: Match the model capacity when comparing performance and TBW. Do not compare one drive’s best-case rating with another drive’s sustained test result.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
