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| Brand | Samsung |
|---|---|
| Model | PM981 |
| Capacity | 512 GB |
| Usage Class | Client / Consumer |
| Host Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 |
|---|---|
| Total Interface Bandwidth | 8 Gb/s |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
|---|
| NAND Flash | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC |
|---|---|
| Drive Writes Per Day | 0.3 |
| Total Bytes Written | 300 TBW |
| Sequential Read | 3000 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Sequential Write | 1800 MB/s |
| Random Read IOPS | 270000 |
| Random Write IOPS | 42000 |
| Average Latency | 80 μs |
| Mean Time Between Failures | 1.5 Million Hours |
|---|---|
| Uncorrectable Bit Error Rate | 1.0×10⁻¹⁷ |
| Power Loss Protection | No |
| MPN | MZ-WLR7T6B |
|---|
Compared with the previous-generation MZ-WLR7T6B, the PM981 MZ-VLB5120 delivers a clear generational step up in PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe performance, reaching 3000/1800 MB/s sequential throughput and 270,000/42,000 IOPS for faster boot, launch, and read-intensive application response. Its 512 GB Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC design also provides a well-balanced client/OEM profile with 300 TBW and 0.3 DWPD, making it a stronger choice than its predecessor for sustained read-heavy notebook, desktop, and VDI image workloads where throughput per watt and predictable endurance matter.
With an endurance rating of 300 TBW and 0.3 DWPD, the MZ-VLB5120 is well suited for typical OS, office, and general business workloads, where daily write volumes are usually far below its rated limit. In practical terms, for use as a boot or system drive in normal client or light commercial environments, this level of endurance can support many years of reliable service without endurance-related concern. Its UBER rating of 1.0E-15 indicates a very low probability of unrecoverable read errors, helping support dependable data access in everyday operation, while the 1.5 million-hour MTBF further reflects strong baseline device reliability. This model does not include power-loss protection (PLP), so it is best deployed in systems with stable power or UPS support rather than write-critical enterprise caching scenarios where protection of in-flight data during sudden outages is required.
1. The PCIe 3.0 x4 interface provides a balanced enterprise transport layer that removes storage bottlenecks for virtualized servers, database nodes, and dense application hosts.
2. Its 3,000 MB/s sequential read performance speeds up large file access, helping analytics platforms, backup restores, and content delivery systems move data with less wait time.
3. With 270,000 random read IOPS, the drive can sustain highly fragmented, transaction-heavy workloads, making it well suited for boot storms, metadata access, and read-centric databases.
4. A typical latency of 80 µs helps applications respond more consistently under load, which is critical for VDI environments, web infrastructure, and latency-sensitive enterprise services.
5. The combination of 0.3 DWPD endurance and Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC makes it a cost-efficient choice for read-focused enterprise deployments that need solid reliability without paying for unnecessary write headroom.
Lower capacity reference: 256 GB Higher capacity reference: 1 TB At 512 GB, this model sits in the sweet spot of the series. Compared with the 256 GB option, it offers much better space headroom for OS images, application binaries, logs, and steady data growth, reducing the risk of early capacity pressure. Compared with the 1 TB version, it keeps acquisition cost and fleet-level budget under tighter control while delivering essentially the same enterprise-class read/write and random IOPS profile. It is especially well suited for a mid-sized virtualization cluster, such as hosting boot and utility volumes for about 40 to 60 virtual machines.
Q: Is MZ-VLB5120 suitable for a write-heavy database server?
A: Not ideally. MZ-VLB5120 is a 512GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD using Samsung 3-bit TLC NAND with 0.3 DWPD, making it better suited for read-focused or mixed workloads than sustained write-heavy databases.
Q: How many full drive writes per day can it actually endure over its warranty period?
A: Its endurance rating is 0.3 DWPD, meaning about 0.3 full drive writes per day. For a 512GB model, that is roughly 154GB daily on average, aligned with the 300TB TBW specification.
Q: Does it include power loss protection (PLP) and why is that critical?
A: No, it does not include power loss protection. PLP is critical in enterprise environments because it helps prevent in-flight data loss and metadata corruption during unexpected power interruption or system shutdown.
Q: What RAID level is recommended for this SSD?
A: For most business deployments, RAID 1 or RAID 10 is recommended to improve redundancy and maintain performance. RAID 5 may be less ideal here due to additional write overhead and modest endurance.