Intel 545S SSD Review: 64‑Layer 3D NAND Performance and Benchmarks

Last year Intel announced the upcoming 545S SSD series, and today the company quietly released the first 512 GB 2.5‑inch model, which uses a 64‑layer TLC 3D NAND flash.

The Intel 545S series employs a brand‑new 64‑layer TLC 3D NAND. This initial version focuses on a 512 GB 2.5‑inch SATA drive, with Intel promising additional capacities ranging from 128 GB to 2 TB and an M.2 form factor. As a SATA SSD, it is positioned as a lower‑power, higher‑performance replacement for traditional HDDs.

The 64‑layer TLC 3D NAND provides up to 20 % higher die density and greater capacity per wafer. Broad industry validation ensures compatibility with most computers, and Intel supplies end‑to‑end data protection via hardware and its Data Migration software.

The drive carries a five‑year warranty and is priced at US$179 for the 512 GB model.

Design and Build

The SSD features a wrinkle‑free aluminum case with the Intel logo on the top side and a label on the bottom indicating series, capacity, model, and serial number.

Opening the case shows two Intel NAND packages mounted on the top side of the PCB.

The opposite side of the PCB holds two additional NAND packages and an SMI 2259 controller.

Consumer Synthetic Benchmarks

All synthetic SSD tests were run on a StorageReview HP Z640 workstation, comparing the Intel 545S against several competing drives (see image).

All IOMeter numbers are reported in binary MB/s.

In the 2 MB sequential test the Intel 545S achieved 504.42 MB/s read (second‑best) and 445.97 MB/s write.

The 2 MB random test showed 438.91 MB/s read and 426.06 MB/s write.

In the 4 KB random test the drive recorded 38.39 MB/s read and 100.28 MB/s write (peak 117.78 MB/s).

IOPS results were 9,829 read (second‑best) and 25,672 write.

In the 4 KB write‑latency test the average latency was 0.039 ms, but the maximum latency spiked to 28.9 ms, considerably higher than competing drives.

In a 100 % write 4 KB workload (1 QD to 64 QD) the Intel 545S delivered between 26 K and 75 488 IOPS.

Mixed server workloads (queue depths 1–128) placed the drive in the middle of the pack, with peak scores ranging from 46 534 IOPS (database profile) to 45 625 IOPS (workstation profile).

Consumer Real‑World Benchmarks

Synthetic results are useful, but real‑world performance can differ. The SSD was therefore tested with StorageMark 2010 HTPC, productivity, and gaming traces.

In the HTPC trace (720p/480p video playback, iTunes downloads, and a 1080i capture) the Intel 545S achieved 7 739 IOPS, 353.31 MB/s throughput, and 0.988 ms average latency (second‑best throughput, third‑best latency).

The productivity trace (three‑hour office workload with Outlook, browsers, Office, PDF, music streaming) caused the drive to lock up repeatedly; Intel confirmed a firmware bug and promised a fix.

In the gaming trace (Steam‑based GTA IV, Left 4 Dead 2, Mass Effect 2) the SSD delivered 9 246 IOPS, 486.93 MB/s, and 0.819 ms average latency, giving the best latency and second‑best throughput among the tested drives.

Conclusion

The Intel 545S is Intel’s newest SATA SSD built on 64‑layer TLC 3D NAND. Currently only a 512 GB 2.5‑inch model is available at US$179, with larger capacities and M.2 versions promised. It offers respectable average performance, decent sequential speeds, and strong latency in gaming, but its overall throughput is modest and the firmware instability makes it unsuitable for production use until a fix is released.

Pros

Low entry price and solid performance for the cost.

Cons

Poor overall performance, unstable firmware that can cause system lock‑ups.

Bottom Line

Once the firmware issue is resolved, the Intel 545S should be a good HDD replacement for most consumers.