A memory system includes: a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, the plurality of memory cells including a plurality of cache memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: track usage of a first subset of the plurality of cache memory cells operating in a single-level cell (SLC) mode, wherein the tracking includes monitoring for an idle time event; and designate a storage mode for a second subset of the plurality of cache memory cells based on the tracked usage of the first subset, wherein the storage mode determines a storage density to be used for data writes.