A Guide to Intel vs. Micron SSDs

In this article

• A Quick Background
• Technical Specifications Explained
• Model Comparisons
• Expanded Use Case Scenarios
• Performance in Different Environments
• Making Your Choice
• The Bottom Line

Curious about which solid-state drives (SSDs) are best for your business infrastructure? You’ve likely come across Intel and Micron as two of your options. These are the two main SSD brands we use in our cloud IaaS hardware. Both companies have strong reputations in the computer hardware world, but their SSDs have some differences that might matter for your business needs. Let’s break down what you need to know to help you make a good purchasing decision.

A Quick Background

Before we get into the comparison, it’s worth noting that Intel and Micron actually used to be partners in developing memory technology. They worked together for many years before going their separate ways in 2019. During their partnership, they developed 3D NAND technology, which is like building a skyscraper instead of a single-story house – it allows more storage to fit in the same space. This shared history means both companies have deep expertise in making storage devices, which explains why they’re both respected names in the industry.

Technical Specifications Explained

Let’s look at some key technical aspects that differentiate these drives, explained in everyday terms:

Storage Technology

Both companies use different approaches to how they organize data on their drives. Intel typically uses what’s called “Intel 3D XPoint” technology in their premium drives, which is akin to having a very efficient filing system. This technology allows the drive to find and access files more quickly than traditional storage methods.

Micron, on the other hand, uses advanced 3D NAND technology, which is excellent at storing large amounts of data reliably at a lower cost.

Read and Write Speeds

Think of read speeds as how quickly you can open a file, and write speeds as how fast you can save one. Intel’s premium drives typically offer read speeds up to 3500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2000 MB/s.

Micron’s drives often achieve similar read speeds but might have slightly lower write speeds in their mid-range models. However, for most business applications like opening documents, running programs, or accessing databases, both brands provide more than enough speed.

Endurance Ratings

Endurance is measured in something called TBW (Terabytes Written), which tells you how much data you can write to the drive before it starts to wear out. Think of it like the mileage rating on a car tire.

Intel’s enterprise drives often feature higher TBW ratings, sometimes up to 2,000 TBW for their top models. 

Micron’s business drives typically offer between 700 to 1,500 TBW, which is still plenty for most business uses. To put this in perspective, even a 700 TBW rating means you could write 380 GB of data every day for five years before reaching the limit.

Model Comparisons

Let’s talk about some specific models from both manufacturers and break down their performance in ways that matter for business users. These are the SSD models that we use in our hosted private cloud and bare metal hardware. We’ll look at real-world benchmarks and what they mean for your daily operations.

Micron 7450 MAX NVMe

The Micron 7450 MAX series represents Micron’s latest enterprise-grade technology. These drives are like the premium sedans of the storage world. They offer excellent performance while maintaining good value.

Key specifications:

• Sequential Read: Up to 6,800 MB/s (about 13 times faster than a typical hard drive)
• Sequential Write: Up to 5,800 MB/s
• Random Read (4K, QD32): Up to 1,000,000 Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS)
• Random Write (4K, QD32): Up to 600,000 IOPS
• Endurance: Up to 1.4 Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)
• Available Capacities: 400GB to 7.68TB

What these numbers mean for you:

• A high sequential read speed means opening large files, like databases or video projects, happens almost instantly.
• High random read/write speeds ensure smooth multitasking when multiple programs are accessing the drive.
• The 1.4 DWPD rating means you could rewrite the entire drive 1.4 times every day for five years without wearing it out.

Real-world performance:

• Database operations: Completes 100,000 small transactions in about 0.8 seconds
• File copying: Transfers a 50GB file in approximately 15 seconds
• System boot: Typically boots Windows in under 10 seconds

Intel DC P4610 NVMe

The Intel DC P4610 is more like a highly specialized sports car – it’s built for specific high-performance scenarios and excels in them.

Key specifications:

• Sequential Read: Up to 3,200 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 2,900 MB/s
• Random Read (4K): Up to 650,000 IOPS
• Random Write (4K): Up to 220,000 IOPS
• Endurance: Up to 3.0 DWPD
• Available Capacities: 1.6TB to 6.4TB

Real-world performance:

• Database operations: Handles 100,000 small transactions in about 1 second
• Sustained workload: Maintains consistent performance even after 24 hours of continuous use
• Power loss protection: Prevents data loss during unexpected power failures

Intel D3-S4610 SATA SSD

This model is your reliable truck – it might not be the fastest, but it’s incredibly dependable and perfect for specific uses.

Key specifications:

• Sequential Read: Up to 560 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 510 MB/s
• Random Read (4K): Up to 97,000 IOPS
• Random Write (4K): Up to 51,000 IOPS
• Endurance: Up to 3.0 DWPD
• Available Capacities: 240GB to 3.84TB

Real-world performance:

• File server operations: Handles multiple simultaneous users with consistent response times
• Write stability: Maintains consistent write speeds even when the drive is nearly full
• Power efficiency: Uses up to 45% less power than previous generations

Understanding the Numbers

When you see specifications like “IOPS” (Input/Output Operations Per Second), think of it as how many small tasks the drive can handle simultaneously. It’s similar to how many customers a store can serve at once. The higher the number, the better the drive handles multiple requests.

Sequential speeds (measured in MB/s) are similar to how fast a truck can drive on a highway – it’s the speed when handling large, continuous files. Random speeds are more like city driving with lots of stops and starts – they matter more for everyday computing tasks.

Performance Comparison in Common Tasks

Let’s see how these drives perform in everyday business scenarios:

Large File Operations (50GB Video File):

• Micron 7450 MAX NVMe: ~15 seconds to transfer
• Intel DC-P4610 NVMe: ~22 seconds to transfer
• Intel D3-S4610 SATA: ~95 seconds to transfer

Database Operations (1 million small records):

• Micron 7450 MAX NVMe: ~8 seconds to process
• Intel DC-P4610 NVMe: ~10 seconds to process
• Intel D3-S4610 SATA: ~25 seconds to process

Virtual Machine Performance:

• Micron 7450 MAX NVMe: Can handle up to 8 concurrent VMs with minimal performance impact
• Intel DC-P4610 NVMe: Optimal for 6-7 concurrent VMs
• Intel D3-S4610 SATA: Best suited for 3-4 concurrent VMs

Unique Features Comparison

Micron 7450 MAX series:

• Integrated power loss protection
• End-to-end data path protection
• Adaptive thermal monitoring
• Firmware-based read disturb management

Intel DC-P4610:

• Enhanced power loss protection
• End-to-end data protection
• Temperature monitoring
• Built-in XOR engine for RAID configurations

Intel D3-S4610:

• Power loss protection
• Built-in error correction
• Temperature monitoring
• Simplified RAID configuration

Expanded Use Case Scenarios

Let’s explore specific business scenarios to help you figure out which drive might work best for your situation:

Creative Design Studios

If you run a design studio working with large video files and graphics:

• Intel’s higher-end drives would be ideal for video editing and rendering, as they maintain consistent performance even when handling very large files.
• The higher endurance ratings become important when you’re constantly saving and updating large project files.
• The faster write speeds can greatly reduce time spent saving large design files.

Small Accounting Firms

For accounting offices handling multiple client databases:

• Micron’s drives offer excellent value while providing the reliability needed for financial software.
• The read speeds are particularly important for quickly accessing client records and running reports.
• The moderate endurance ratings are more than sufficient for database operations and daily backups.

Medical Practices

Healthcare environments have unique needs:

• Intel’s drives with their higher reliability ratings are well-suited for storing sensitive patient records.
• The consistent performance helps with running multiple pieces of medical software simultaneously.
• The extended warranty and reliability features provide peace of mind for critical medical data.

Real Estate Offices

For real estate businesses handling property listings and client documents:

• Micron’s drives offer a good balance of performance and value for storing property photos and documents.
• The read speeds help quickly access and display high-resolution property images.
• The moderate endurance ratings easily handle daily document creation and storage needs.

Software Development Companies

For development teams working with code and testing environments:

• Intel’s drives excel at handling numerous small file operations typical in development.
• The higher endurance ratings support frequent compilation and testing cycles.
• The consistent performance helps maintain productivity during intensive development periods.

Performance in Different Environments

Understanding how these drives perform in different situations can help make your decision clearer:

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

If your business uses virtual desktops:

• Intel drives typically handle multiple simultaneous users more smoothly.
• Their consistent performance helps maintain a good user experience even under heavy load.
• The higher endurance ratings become important with multiple users accessing the same drive.

Cloud Storage Servers

For businesses running their own storage servers:

• Micron’s drives offer excellent value for building large storage arrays.
• Their power efficiency helps reduce operating costs in server environments.
• The good balance of performance and cost makes them ideal for scaling storage solutions.

Point of Sale Systems

For retail business systems:

• Both brands offer specialized drives for high-transaction environments.
• Intel’s drives typically offer better power loss protection, preventing data loss during power outages.
• Micron’s drives provide good value for systems that don’t require constant writes.

Making Your Choice

When deciding between Intel and Micron SSDs for your business, consider these factors:

Budget Considerations

If you’re upgrading multiple computers, Micron often provides better value while still maintaining good performance. A typical 1TB Micron business SSD might cost 20-30% less than a comparable Intel drive.

However, if your budget allows and system reliability is crucial, Intel’s premium options might be worth the extra investment, especially considering the longer warranty periods and higher endurance ratings.

Performance Needs

For most everyday business tasks, both brands will perform well. You’ll notice little difference in typical office work, email, and web browsing. The difference becomes more noticeable in specialized situations, like running databases or handling very large files continuously.

Intel’s drives typically maintain more consistent performance under heavy workloads, while Micron’s drives might show slight variations in speed during extended use.

The Bottom Line

For most businesses, either brand will serve you well. Here’s a simple way to decide:

Choose Intel if:

• Your business can’t afford any downtime
• You need the longest possible warranty
• You’re handling sensitive data that requires the highest reliability
• Your workload involves constant reading and writing of data
• You’re running critical business applications

Choose Micron if:

• You’re working with a tighter budget
• You want good performance without premium prices
• Your storage needs are primarily read-oriented
• You’re looking for the best value for everyday business use
• You’re building a large storage system where cost per gigabyte is important

Both brands make quality products, and for most business uses, you’ll be happy either way. The most important thing is to choose a drive that fits your budget and meets your basic storage needs. Consider your needs and use case from the scenarios we’ve talked about here to make the best decision for your business.