Kioxia Launches 245TB SSD – World’s Largest Storage Capacity
▼ Summary
– Kioxia has launched the LC9, a 245.76TB SSD—the highest-capacity storage device available—targeting AI training and hyperscale workloads.
– The drive uses proprietary 8TB NAND packages (32 devices per chip) and an NVMe 2.0-compliant controller with PCIe 5.0 x4 interface to achieve record density.
– Performance includes sequential read/write speeds of 12 GB/s and 3 GB/s, with random read/write IOPS of 1.3 million and 50,000, prioritizing capacity over speed.
– The LC9 features 0.3 DWPD endurance, advanced reliability protections (die-level recovery, power-loss safeguards), and supports AES-256 and post-quantum encryption.
– Kioxia will offer the LC9 in U.2, E3.S, and E3.L form factors (up to 245.76TB), with sampling underway and a planned showcase in August 2025.
Kioxia has shattered storage barriers with its groundbreaking 245.76TB SSD, now the world’s highest-capacity solid-state drive. Designed for data-intensive applications like artificial intelligence and hyperscale computing, this technological marvel packs unprecedented density into a single device. To visualize its capacity, imagine storing over 12,000 ultra-high-definition movies, each compressed to 20GB, on one drive.
Built around Kioxia’s proprietary BiCS8 2Tb 3D QLC NAND memory, the LC9 series achieves this feat by stacking 32 memory devices into an 8TB package, then integrating multiple packages onto an NVMe 2.0-compliant controller. The drive utilizes a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with dual-port capability, all housed in an E3.L form factor optimized for enterprise environments. This engineering milestone leverages advanced wafer processing techniques to maximize storage density while maintaining structural integrity.
Performance metrics reflect the drive’s focus on capacity over speed, delivering sequential read speeds up to 12 GB/s and write speeds of 3 GB/s. Random operations clock in at 1.3 million IOPS for reads and 50,000 IOPS for writes, aligning with expectations for high-density storage solutions. Endurance is rated at 0.3 drive writes per day (DWPD), balancing longevity with the demands of data center workloads.
Reliability features include die-level recovery, parity-based error correction, and safeguards against power interruptions. The drive also supports Flexible Data Placement (FDP), reducing write amplification to extend lifespan, particularly beneficial for database applications. Security measures meet CNSA 2.0 standards, offering AES-256 encryption and future-proofing with post-quantum cryptography algorithms.
Available in 2.5-inch U.2, E3.S, and E3.L form factors, the LC9 series scales down to 122.88TB for flexibility in deployment. While pricing remains undisclosed, these drives target hyperscale operators with custom volume-based agreements. Kioxia is currently sampling the technology with select partners ahead of its showcase at the 2025 Future of Memory and Storage conference.
(Source: TOMSHARDWARE)