Solidigm, a leading technology company, has introduced its impressive D5-P5336 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with an astounding storage capacity of 61.44TB. This latest invention not only breaks the boundaries of storage capacity but also positions itself as the largest SSD in the market. With a 16KB Indirection Unit, the D5-P5336 is ideally suited for mixed-load read-intensive storage workloads, cementing its place at the top of the largest SSD leaderboard.
While the D5-P5336 falls short of the 100TB NimbusData Exadrive, which operates on SAS/SATA technology, it offers superior performance at a higher cost. However, it’s worth noting that the Solidigm SSD is only available in the E1L and U.2 formats, popular in data centers but relatively rare in the end-user market. Nevertheless, tech-savvy individuals can construct their own custom U.2-friendly workstations using readily available parts.
One outstanding feature of the D5-P5336 is its ability to double the top-end capacity of SSDs, enabling administrators to incorporate an impressive two petabytes of storage in just 1U of rack space. A whole rack could potentially accommodate over 40PB of storage. Such unprecedented storage capacity opens up vast possibilities for data management and processing.
The D5-P5336 employs cutting-edge technology, utilizing 192-layer, QLC 3D NAND, and boasts a claimed endurance of 0.58 DWPD (drive write per day) with a lifetime endurance of 65.2PBW (petabyte written). It also comes with a generous five-year warranty, offering peace of mind to users.
Solidigm has published impressive performance metrics for the D5-P5336, showcasing sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,000MB/s and 3,300MB/s, respectively. In fact, the marketing presentation even suggests that Solidigm QLC matches TLC for the most part, solidifying its position as a high-performing storage solution.
Although the pricing details for the D5-P5336 remain undisclosed, it is expected to be reasonably priced. Its predecessor, the Solidigm SSD D5-P5316, also known as the Intel SSDPFWNV307TZ, is currently available for just over $2,000. Thus, it is anticipated that the 61.44TB drive will be priced at less than $6,000, breaking the $100/TB floor. This pricing strategy presents an excellent opportunity for individuals in need of substantial storage solutions.
Many workstation motherboards come equipped with two U.2 ports, meaning professionals with higher budgets can integrate a pair of 61.44TB P5336 SSDs into their pedestal PCs as secondary storage drives while utilizing faster boot SSD drives for primary storage purposes.
Solidigm’s recent release is just the beginning of what promises to be a wave of 50TB+ SSDs hitting the market by the end of this year. It is important to note that the D5-P5336 utilizes 192-layer components rather than cutting-edge QLC parts, suggesting that there is ample room for further development, improvement, and expansion.
Competitors such as Micron, Samsung, and Kioxia are also expected to release similar high-capacity products in the near future. The forthcoming Flash Memory Summit (FMS) at the Santa Clara Convention Center is likely to witness several announcements and product demonstrations, showcasing the latest advancements in the field.
Looking ahead, technologies like PLC (penta-level cell) and 400-layer NAND chips may be the key to breaching the 100TB barrier, with 122.88TB SSD drives anticipated as the next major milestone around 2024 or 2025. Of course, there is always the possibility of other revolutionary technologies, such as DNA storage or Silica-based drives, taking the storage industry by storm.
Solidigm’s pioneering efforts in the field of high-capacity SSDs are truly remarkable, and it is a testament to the rapid advancements and limitless possibilities in the world of storage technology. As storage demands continue to soar, these innovations will undoubtedly shape the future of data management and redefine storage capabilities.
