Samsung demonstrates 256TB SSD for data centers

Samsung has demonstrated a data center SSD with a capacity of 256TB. The SSD uses 3D QLC NAND memory. However, the manufacturer shares few concrete details about the drive in question.

Samsung demonstrated its 256TB during the Flash Memory Summit in California. The drive uses Samsung’s 3D QLC NAND memory with four bits per cell, which enables a relatively high data density. Samsung already showed a 128TB SSD with QLC NAND during the Flash Memory Summit last year.

The manufacturer says that the 256TB SSD consumes about seven times less power than eight separate 32TB SSDs, which together also provide 256TB. Samsung shares few technical details about the SSD. It is also unknown if and when the SSD will actually become available to customers. If that happens, the SSD will mainly be intended for hyperscalers and data centers.

In addition to its 256TB SSD, Samsung also announced a PM9D3a SSD for data centers at FMS 2023. This series has a PCIe 5.0 interface and will be available in capacities from 3.84 to 30.72TB. Samsung reports that the SSD achieves up to 2.3 times faster sequential read speeds than the current PM9A3, which achieved sequential read speeds of 6.9GB/s. In theory, the new SSD would achieve speeds of around 16GB/s. Random write speeds are doubled, according to Samsung. These SSDs will soon be available in different form factors. However, the manufacturer does not mention prices.

Samsung at the Flash Memory Summit 2023. Source: Samsung