KIOXIA has announced the launch of its 245.76TB NVMe SSD, the highest-capacity solid-state drive ever released.
This new model, part of the LC9 Series, is designed to address the growing data storage demands of generative AI, high-performance computing, and hyperscale infrastructure.
Unlike previous high-capacity drives that capped around 100TB, KIOXIA has more than doubled that figure.
The company achieved this by stacking 32 high-density memory packages, each holding 8TB, using its BiCS FLASH QLC NAND and CMOS bonded-to-array technology.
To put the capacity in context, a single LC9 SSD can store roughly 12,500 full-length 4K movies. This level of density could significantly reduce the hardware footprint required in enterprise data centers.
Designed for AI and Data-Intensive workloads.
The LC9 isn’t focused solely on speed; it’s optimized for high-volume, read-intensive tasks such as AI model inference, large language models (LLMs), and vector database management.
It supports PCIe 5.0, NVMe 2.0, and dual-port configurations and is compliant with OCP standards. The drive offers read speeds of up to 12 GB/s and write speeds of up to 3 GB/s, making it suitable for data lakes, inference engines, and cold storage solutions.
Despite using QLC NAND, which typically offers lower endurance, the LC9 is built for longevity in environments where data is accessed more than it is written. It supports 0.3 drive writes per day (DWPD), making it ideal for read-heavy applications.
Security and reliability features include AES-256 encryption, FIPS compliance, post-quantum cryptography (LMS), power-loss protection, and error correction. KIOXIA has also included Flexible Data Placement technology to reduce write amplification and extend drive lifespan.
The LC9 allows organizations to reduce the number of drives needed per rack, cutting down on power usage, cooling requirements, and physical space.
This efficiency contributes to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), a key factor for large-scale data operations.
Is the Drive Available for Purchase?
KIOXIA is currently sampling the drive with select cloud and hyperscale partners. The LC9 will be publicly showcased at the upcoming “Future of Memory and Storage” event from August 5–7 in Santa Clara, where more technical details are expected.
