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| Brand | Samsung |
|---|---|
| Model | PM981 |
| Capacity | 256GB |
| Usage Class | Client |
| Host Interface | NVMe |
|---|---|
| Total Interface Bandwidth | 32 Gb/s |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
|---|
| NAND Flash | TLC V-NAND |
|---|---|
| Drive Writes Per Day | 0.32 |
| Total Bytes Written | 150 TBW |
| Sequential Read | 3000 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Sequential Write | 1300 MB/s |
| Random Read IOPS | 130000 |
| Random Write IOPS | 310000 |
| Average Latency | 50 μs |
| Mean Time Between Failures | 1.5 Million Hours |
|---|---|
| Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate | 1.0×10⁻¹⁷ |
| Power Loss Protection | No |
| MPN | MZVLV256HCHP |
|---|
The Samsung PM981 256GB (MZ-VLB2560) is a strong client/OEM NVMe upgrade for thin notebooks and performance desktops, combining TLC V-NAND with up to 3000/1300 MB/s sequential throughput and 130,000/310,000 IOPS to deliver notably faster boot, application launch, and scratch-disk response than SATA-class or older PCIe client SSDs. Compared with the previous-generation MZVLV256HCHP, MZ-VLB2560 provides a clear generational step up in NVMe platform performance and sustained write endurance, with 150 TBW and 0.32 DWPD making it the better fit for heavier daily multitasking and content-creation workloads.
With an endurance rating of 150 TBW and 0.32 DWPD, the MZ-VLB2560 is well suited for typical client and light mixed-use workloads, including OS, office applications, and general data access. In practical terms, this level of endurance is sufficient for use as a system drive for many years under normal daily write volumes, giving procurement confidence for standard deployment scenarios. From a reliability perspective, the specified UBER of 1.0E-15 and MTBF of 1.5 million hours indicate a mature, dependable storage platform for routine business use. This model does not include power-loss protection, so it is best matched to systems with stable power conditions or upstream power backup, while still providing solid reliability for non-cache-critical and read-focused environments.
1. The NVMe interface, paired with strong streaming bandwidth, accelerates large-block data movement for faster database warm-up, VM boot, and analytics job initialization.
2. Its high random read capability helps transaction-heavy platforms sustain responsive access under deep queue workloads such as virtualization, metadata lookup, and OLTP.
3. The endurance profile is best suited to read-centric enterprise deployments, offering cost-efficient reliability for content delivery, boot volumes, and scale-out storage tiers with moderate daily write pressure.
4. TLC V-NAND provides a balanced mix of capacity, power efficiency, and predictable performance, making it a practical fit for dense data center fleets that need enterprise economics without sacrificing stability.
5. The low typical latency improves QoS consistency, reducing tail-response delays that can otherwise impact real-time applications, user-facing services, and mixed-workload consolidation.
Lower-capacity reference: 128GB Higher-capacity reference: 512GB In this series, the 256GB MZ-VLB2560 sits at the sweet spot for mainstream enterprise deployment. Compared with the 128GB version, it gives much better headroom for OS images, logs, patch growth, and short-term workload bursts, reducing capacity pressure over time. Compared with the 512GB model, it keeps acquisition cost and replacement budget tighter while delivering essentially the same class of sequential throughput and random IOPS expected from the family. It is well suited for small to mid-size virtualization clusters, such as hosting boot volumes for about 40 to 60 lightweight application instances.
Q: Is MZ-VLB2560 suitable for a write-heavy database server?
A: MZ-VLB2560 is not ideal for a write-heavy database server. With 0.32 DWPD, 150 TBW, and no PLP, it is better suited for read-centric or light mixed-use workloads.
Q: How many full drive writes per day can it actually endure over its warranty period?
A: Based on the rated endurance, this SSD supports approximately 0.32 full drive writes per day. For a 256GB drive, that equals about 82GB of writes daily over warranty coverage.
Q: Does it include power loss protection (PLP) and why is that critical?
A: No, MZ-VLB2560 does not include power loss protection. PLP is critical in enterprise environments because it helps prevent in-flight data loss and reduces metadata corruption during unexpected outages.
Q: What RAID level is recommended for this SSD?
A: For this SSD, RAID 1 or RAID 10 is generally recommended when data protection and availability matter. RAID 0 may improve performance, but it provides no redundancy or fault tolerance.