Samsung recently released their latest storage solution, the Samsung 870 QVO SATA SSD series. It’s basically an improved or enhanced version of its 860 QVO predecessor. A new controller and 2nd generation QLC NAND flash is what the new 870 QVO SSD series are made of. But how does this new drive compare against its predecessor, the 860 QVO, and the much older but still popular 860 EVO? Let’s find out below.
UPDATE: Check out our Samsung 870 QVO 1TB SSD Review here
Samsung 870 QVO vs 860 QVO and EVO SATA SSD Series
In this comparison, we’ll be dividing the comparison into several groups. I’ll discuss first the controller, NAND flash type and capacities available in each series. Next, let’s talk about the difference in their performance. And finally, and perhaps the most crucial deciding factor, is the price.
Note that we have yet to get our hands on a Samsung 870 QVO SSD at the time of writing. So, most of the data shown here are from Samsung’s specifications sheet. However, we did previously review the QVO and EVO series here. Additionally, I was able to read some of the early reviews of the 870 QVO; basically, confirming my speculations and expectations.
Controller, NAND Flash and Capacity Differences
The Samsung 870 QVO features a new Samsung MKX controller paired with a 4bit MLC V-NAND flash. It’s predecessor, the Samsung 860 QVO, also uses a 4bit MLC V-NAND flash, but it is using an older MJX controller. Meanwhile, the 860 EVO also uses an MJX controller, but is paired with a better 3bit MLC NAND flash.
I noticed that Samsung uses the terms “4bit MLC” and “3bit MLC” instead of QLC and TLC. Perhaps they are trying to avoid using the term “QLC” since many are aware that the QLC NAND flash is the slowest type. TLC or 3bit MLC is above QLC; then MLC or 2bit on second spot; and the fastest is SLC or 1bit single-level cell.
Moving on, the Samsung 870 QVO is available in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB capacities; while both the 860 QVO and 860 EVO are available up to 4TB capacities.
Warranty and Endurance
When it comes to warranty, Samsung offers a 3-year limited warranty for both the 870 QVO and 860 QVO SSD series. Meanwhile, the 860 EVO comes with a longer 5-year warranty period.
The Samsung 860 EVO SSD excels in both warranty period and Total Bytes Written as well. Having a TLC NAND flash, the 860 EVO has a higher endurance compared to the 870 QVO and 860 QVO. You can see that from the table below.
Samsung 870 QVO vs 860 QVO and EVO Performance
If you are familiar with the different types of SSDs and different NAND flash memory, I’m sure by now you have an idea which SSD series is faster. Like I mentioned earlier, TLC NAND flash are typically faster than QLC NAND flash. Below are the drives respective sequential and random read and write speeds.
However, Samsung has a trick called Intelligent TurboWrite technology. Thanks to this technology, the Samsung’s QLC-based SSD is able to achieve SLC or TLC-level of performance. But for a limited size only, depending on the capacity of the drive’s TurboWrite size.
Below is a table showing each SSD series’ total TurboWrite size and the next graph shows the performance of the drive after the TurboWrite allocation has been exhausted. The total TurboWrite is the sum of the SLC buffer (typically 6GB or less) and the “Intelligent” TurboWrite region ranges from 36GB to 72GB on a 1TB to 4TB SSD capacity.
As you can see from the table above, after the total TurboWrite allocation has been exhausted, the sequential write speed drops. The Samsung 860 EVO doesn’t seem to be affected much after the cache has been exhausted. However, we can see a significant drop on the 870 QVO and 860 QVO’s write speed after TurboWrite.
That drop is really significant, to the point that after the cache has been exhausted, it almost feels like you are copying files to a hard disk drive rather than an SSD. Yes, that was my experience when I transferred my game folder, with a size of almost 1TB, to a Samsung 860 EVO QVO SSD.
Pricing and Availability
At the time of writing, the Samsung 870 QVO is still very new to the market. I can see that retail prices are still equivalent to MSRP; which is $129.99 for the 1TB, $249.99 for the 2TB and $499.99 for the 4TB. The 870 QVO 8TB comes with an MSRP of $899.99, but it will not be available until August.
Meanwhile, both the 860 QVO and 860 EVO has been in the market for quite some time now. Prices are already adjusted since their respective series was launched. However, at the time of writing, it seems that the 860 QVO is a bit cheaper compared to the 870 QVO, while the 860 EVO are still more expensive than the 870 QVO (depending on the capacity).
Samsung 870 QVO SSD Series available on Amazon.com here and Newegg.com here
Samsung 860 QVO SSD Series available on Amazon.com here and Newegg.com here
Samsung 860 EVO SSD Series available on Amazon.com here and Newegg.com here
TL; DR – So Which One to Buy?
If you are after for value (price/GB) and not speed, the obvious choice would be the 870 QVO or the 860 QVO. As long as you do not exhaust the allocated TurboWrite capacity, you will not experience the significant drop in performance.
However, if you are looking for a balance of speed, performance and reliability, the 860 EVO SSD series would be the obvious choice. The 860 EVO has a much stable read/write speed, longer endurance rating and longer warranty period. Not to mention, the 860 EVO is available in M.2 form factor as well.
Note: Article originally published on July 2, 2020
The sequential write test above does not list the 860 EVO drive capacity as tested. I must assume it was the 1TB variant as it is unlikely for the sequential write MB/s to go 𝐮𝐩 after exhausting its buffer. Although the results in this test conflict slightly with the results in your 860 QVO/EVO/PRO comparison article, the 860 EVO 2TB and 4TB drives in that test showed no change in sequential write speed after turbowrite. With this in mind, why did transferring a 1TB of game installs to the 860 EVO seem to slow after turbowrite? I can only speculate, but were you compressing it as well? Or filling a drive to capacity?
Cheers!
Hi Ethan, just to be sure we are on the same page. The numbers on the graphs above are numbers based on their specs sheet. Those are theoretical numbers and I think they have the same “up to” speed regardless of the capacity.
We haven’t tested the drive yet when this article was published. And we don’t have a 2TB or 4TB 860 EVO drives as well. We only tested the 1TB capacity.
For the actual results of the 870 QVO, you can check out our review.
Whereas the numbers you see on the 860 QVO/EVO/PRO are the results that we got based on our tests. That article was published last year.
What “1TB of game installs to the 860 EVO” are you referring to? Cause I checked the article, and I didn’t made any 1TB of copy test game installs.
Regardless of the SSD model or file (type) copied, after Turbowrite is exhausted, write speed will drop since the allocation is already exhausted. It’s on the specs sheet of the Samsung drives. Sequential write speeds drops significantly after TurboWrite allocation is exhausted.
In the performance section you say,
“Yes, that was my experience when I transferred my game folder, with a size of almost 1TB, to a Samsung 860 EVO SSD.”
Ah yes, missed that one, I thought it was on another article. Anyway, answer is the same. Turbowrite is/was exhausted, that’s why speed went down.
Is that a typo though and should read QVO rather than EVO? In the preceding paragraph you say the 860 EVO doesn’t seem to be affected much after the cache has been exhausted.
No it’s not a typo, the 860 EVO is really better than both the QVO SSDs. It doesn’t suffer after turbowrite is exhausted. As you can see from the graph, its theoretical speed is still around 500MB/s-550Mb/s. Meanwhile, both QVO went down to 80MB/s-160MB/s.
Then yes, that is a typo and the paragraph should read “Yes, that was my experience when I transferred my game folder, with a size of almost 1TB, to a Samsung 860 QVO SSD.”
I stand corrected! Yes, it should be QVO 😅