Overview of the Intel 660p SSD
The Intel 660p is a highly regarded Solid State Drive (SSD) that has gained a significant following among tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Engineered to deliver high performance while maintaining affordability, it has earned its place as one of the most popular choices in the market. In Pakistan, the Intel 660p is often sought after for its balance of speed, capacity, and price, making it a suitable option for gamers, professionals, and casual users.
Specifications of the Intel 660p
- Capacity Options: Available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants.
- Form Factor: M.2 2280, utilizing the NVMe interface for superior performance.
- Read Speed: Up to 1800 MB/s.
- Write Speed: Up to 1200 MB/s.
- Endurance Rating: Up to 300 TBW (Terabytes Written) depending on the model.
- Warranty: Typically comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
Price of Intel 660p SSD in Pakistan
The price of the Intel 660p in Pakistan can vary based on a number of factors. These include the capacity of the drive, the retailer, and existing market conditions. As of October 2023, here is a breakdown of the approximate prices for different capacities:
| Capacity |
Approximate Price (PKR) |
| 256GB |
8,500 – 10,000 |
| 512GB |
15,000 – 17,000 |
| 1TB |
26,000 – 30,000 |
| 2TB |
50,000 – 55,000 |
Factors Influencing Price
The cost of the Intel 660p SSD in Pakistan can fluctuate due to several factors:
- Currency Exchange Rates: As the prices of tech products are often affected by international market rates, changes in the Pakistani Rupee’s value can have a direct impact on SSD prices.
- Demand and Supply: Seasonal sales, discounts, or sudden spikes in demand can lead to variations in price. Popularity during events such as Black Friday or Eid can trigger price changes.
- Retailer and Location: Different retailers may set their prices based on inventory, shipping costs, and market strategies. Online platforms may offer special discounts compared to physical stores.
- Promotions and Bundles: Special promotional offers or bundled deals often affect the final purchase price.
Performance Analysis
The Intel 660p is equipped with QLC NAND (Quad-Level Cell) technology, allowing it to store four bits of data per cell. This technology offers higher capacities at lower price points, which is appealing for consumers who need storage without breaking the bank.
Real-world Performance
In practical use, users have reported that the Intel 660p offers satisfactory performance for everyday tasks, such as booting the operating system, launching applications, and transferring files. While it may not perform on the same level as some premium SSDs, it holds its own in most scenarios:
- Boot Time: Booting Windows on an Intel 660p is quick, often taking less than 20 seconds.
- File Transfers: Large file transfers are markedly faster compared to traditional HDDs, given its NVMe interface.
- Gaming: Load times in games are considerably reduced, allowing for a smoother gaming experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio.
- High read/write speeds suitable for most applications.
- Available in multiple capacities, accommodating various user needs.
- Warranty backing ensures reliability.
Cons
- QLC NAND may lead to performance throttling under heavy write workloads over extended periods.
- Performance may not match higher-end SSDs with SLC or MLC configurations.
Conclusion
In summary, the Intel 660p is a capable SSD that offers high performance and ample storage at an accessible price point in Pakistan. Its specifications make it ideal for a wide range of users, including gamers, content creators, and everyday computing tasks. Keeping in mind the varying prices based on different capacities and other factors mentioned above, this SSD remains a strong contender in the Pakistani market for those looking to upgrade or invest in solid-state storage. Given its excellent balance of speed, endurance, and affordability, the Intel 660p is definitely worth considering for anyone in the market for a new SSD.
If you’re considering making a purchase, be sure to compare prices from various retailers both online and in-store, and keep an eye out for promotional offers that might make this reliable SSD even more affordable.
Intel 660p Comparision
Comparison of Intel 660p with Other M.2 NVMe SSD Models
| Model |
Capacity |
Interface |
Form Factor |
Performance (Read/Write) |
Price in Pakistan (Approx.) |
Use Case |
| Intel 660p |
1TB, 2TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 1800/1800 MB/s |
PKR 16,000 (1TB), PKR 30,000 (2TB) |
General use, gaming, storage upgrade |
| Samsung 970 EVO Plus |
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 3500/3300 MB/s |
PKR 13,500 (250GB), PKR 18,000 (500GB), PKR 35,000 (1TB), PKR 65,000 (2TB) |
High-performance gaming, content creation |
| Western Digital Black SN750 |
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 3470/3000 MB/s |
PKR 14,000 (250GB), PKR 20,000 (500GB), PKR 36,000 (1TB), PKR 70,000 (2TB) |
Gaming, high-performance storage |
| Crucial P3 |
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 3500/3000 MB/s |
PKR 10,000 (250GB), PKR 15,000 (500GB), PKR 25,000 (1TB), PKR 45,000 (2TB) |
General use, gaming, data storage |
| Sabrent Rocket NVMe 4.0 |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 5000/4400 MB/s |
PKR 14,500 (256GB), PKR 20,000 (512GB), PKR 35,000 (1TB), PKR 80,000 (2TB), PKR 160,000 (4TB) |
High-end gaming, professional applications |
| ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 |
M.2 2280 |
Up to 3500/3000 MB/s |
PKR 12,000 (256GB), PKR 18,000 (512GB), PKR 32,000 (1TB), PKR 60,000 (2TB) |
Gaming, creative work, general use |
Intel 660p Overview
The Intel 660p series is known for balancing performance and price, making it an ideal choice for general use, gaming, and serving as a storage upgrade for existing systems. It utilizes QLC NAND flash technology, which helps keep production costs down while still offering solid performance metrics of up to 1800 MB/s for both read and write speeds. This makes the Intel 660p accessible to budget-conscious gamers and everyday users looking to enhance their computers’ capabilities.
Samsung 970 EVO Plus Overview
Praised for its performance, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus ranks among the top-performing SSDs in various reviews. With a max read speed of 3500 MB/s and a write speed of 3300 MB/s, it is an excellent option for enthusiasts, gamers, and those involved in content creation. However, the pricing is considerably higher than the Intel 660p. The Samsung 970 EVO Plus is often regarded as a premium product and is tailored for users demanding the best possible performance.
Western Digital Black SN750 Overview
The Western Digital Black SN750 also aims at the gaming market but competes directly with Samsung’s offerings. Up to 3470 MB/s read and 3000 MB/s write speeds make it ideal for gaming and multimedia applications, putting it in consideration for users who value both performance and reliability. Its pricing structure is slightly lower than Samsung’s storage options but higher than the Intel 660p, making it a respectable alternative.
Crucial P3 Overview
The Crucial P3 SSD offers great value, especially for less demanding users who still want good performance. With read speeds of up to 3500 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3000 MB/s, it competes well with both Intel’s 660p and other SSDs on the market but at a slightly lower price point. Therefore, it serves as an excellent middle ground—a no-nonsense choice for gamers and home users.
Sabrent Rocket NVMe 4.0 Overview
The Sabrent Rocket NVMe 4.0 is a next-generation SSD that utilizes PCIe 4.0 technology. With read speeds peaking at 5000 MB/s and write speeds at 4400 MB/s, it holds a significant performance advantage over the Intel 660p series. This model is designed primarily for gamers and professionals who require extreme speeds for high-performance tasks. However, the price reflects its standout performance.
ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro Overview
The ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro is also designed for high performance with similar speeds to the Samsung 970 EVO Plus. With its capacities ranging up to 2TB, it’s an appealing option for gamers looking to enhance their gaming rigs. The price is competitive but still on the higher end, depending on the capacity selected.
Conclusion
When comparing the Intel 660p to other high-performance SSD models, it’s important to factor in several elements like performance, pricing, and end-use scenarios. While the Intel 660p is great for budget-conscious buyers looking for solid performance without breaking the bank, alternatives like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus and WD Black SN750 cater to high-end users who need extra speed and reliability. Choices like the Crucial P3 and ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro serve to round out the market, each providing value and specific use-case advantages. Depending on budget, requirements, and preferred brand, there’s a solid choice for every kind of user.
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