KIOXIA America, Inc. has expanded its high-capacity KIOXIA LC9 Series enterprise SSD lineup by introducing the industry’s first 245.76 terabyte (TB) NVMe SSD in a 2.5-inch and Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) E3.L form factor. This new capacity and form factor option complements the previously announced 122.88 TB (2.5-inch) model and is purpose-built for the performance and efficiency demands of generative AI environments.
Generative AI places unique demands on storage, including the need to store vast datasets for training large language models (LLMs), and to create embeddings and vector databases that support inference through retrieval augmented generation (RAG). These workloads require storage solutions with large capacity, high speed, and exceptional power efficiency.
Featuring a 32-die stack of 2-terabit (Tb) BiCS FLASH QLC 3D flash memory with innovative CBA (CMOS directly bonded to Array) technology, KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs deliver the speed, scale, and density required to support the next wave of AI-centric workloads. This combination of advanced memory architecture and CBA technology enables 8 TB in a small 154 BGA package – also an industry first. This milestone was made possible with advancements in Kioxia’s high-precision wafer processing, material design, and wire bonding technologies.
KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs are well-suited for data lakes, where massive data ingestion and rapid processing are essential. Unlike HDDs, which often bottleneck performance and leave costly GPUs underutilised, KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs enable dense storage in a compact footprint. By delivering up to 245.76 TB, each drive can replace multiple power-hungry HDDs, offering superior performance, lower overall power consumption, fewer drive slots used, and more efficient cooling, which would significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs Features Include:
- Up to 245.76 TB in 2.5-inch and E3.L form factors
- Up to 122.88 TB available in 2.5-inch and E3.S form factors
- Designed to PCIe 5.0 (max. 128 GT/s Gen5 single x4, dual x2), NVMe 2.0, and NVMe-MI 1.2c specifications
- Open Compute Project (OCP) Datacenter NVMe SSD specification v2.5 support (not all requirements)
- Flexible Data Placement (FDP) helps minimise write amplification and extend SSD lifespan
- Security options: SIE, SED, FIPS SED
- CNSA 2.0 signing algorithm adopted, designed with future quantum security standards in mind
“KIOXIA has a long history of advancing flash storage, and the KIOXIA LC9 Series continues that legacy by setting a new benchmark for capacity and innovation in the SSD space,” said Neville Ichhaporia, senior vice president and general manager of the SSD business unit at KIOXIA America, Inc. “As generative AI reshapes data centre architecture, we’re delivering the kind of breakthrough technology that enables our customers to optimise their IT infrastructure investments – pushing boundaries in performance, efficiency, and scale.”
KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs are now sampling to select customers and will be featured at the Future of Memory and Storage 2025 conference, taking place August 5–7 in Santa Clara.
For more information, please visit the Kioxia website.
More related news:
Kioxia Expands 8th Gen BiCS FLASH SSD Line for AI and HPC-Driven Data Centres
Kioxia Commences UFS Ver. 4.0 Flash Memory Cards Mass Production
