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What is a 100TB SSD?
Pros and Cons of a 100TB SSD
Do I Need a 100TB SSD?

As we know, an SSD (Solid State Drive) is a storage device that utilizes flash memory to read and store data. SSDs have emerged as a faster and more capacity-packed alternative to traditional computer hard disk drives. But do you know how big the largest SSD in the world is? The answer is 100TB. In this article, we will delve into what a 100TB SSD is, its pros and cons, and whether or not you need a 100TB SSD. Keep reading to find out more.

This image depicts a new 100TB SSD.

Editor's pick

The 100TB ExaDrive DC seems to have caused a stir, so we've picked one review from another site:

As TechRadar put it, when Nimbus Data debuted the 100TB ExaDrive DC on March 19, 2018, it was the largest SSD by far.

What is a 100TB SSD?

Nimbus Data is an industry leader in applying flash storage to cloud infrastructure, AI, HPC, digital content, and database workloads, and has been pushing the boundaries of SSD capacity in recent years. In 2018, Nimbus Data released the 100TB ExaDrive SSD, which was (and still is) the world's largest and most efficient solid-state drive. This SSD was designed for enterprise systems or data centers by companies like Dell and Lenovo.

Here are the specifications for the 100TB ExaDrive SSD:

    • Dimensions: 3.5 inches / LFF (147.0 mm x 101.8 mm x 26.1 mm)
    • Interface: SATA-3, SAS-2 6.0 Gb/s
    • Sequential read speed: Up to 114,000 MBps
    • Sequential write speed: Up to 105,000 MBps
    • Power consumption: 7W/16W (idle/active)
    • Endurance: 5 years unlimited
    • Price: $40,000
    • Warranty: 5 years

After reading through all of that, I think the ExaDrive DC 100TB SSD will exceed your expectations for an SSD. It boasts sequential read and write speeds of up to 500 MBps and 114,000/105,000 IOPS. Users can choose between SATA or SAS interfaces, at the same price point, as long as it suits their system. Additionally, the ExaDrive 100TB SSD comes with a generous 5-year warranty and guarantees unlimited drive writes per day.

If you'd like to order one of these amazing 100TB SSDs, you can reach Nimbus Data at (888) 646-2878 or (650) 442-1375.

 Tools Edit Review
We are witnessing history in the making: SSDs are on track to supersede HDDs. With astounding capacities and fast sequential read/write speeds, a 100TB SSD can replace five or more 18TB HDDs while delivering higher performance for less power.

"The Pros and Cons of 100TB SSDs"

Now that you know what a 100TB SSD is, we'll list some pros and cons of such an SSD in the table below:

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Six times the capacity of the largest HDD.
  • Faster read and write speeds.
  • 85% lower power, cooling, and energy costs per terabyte.
  • Designed to fit directly into existing 3.5-inch HDD slots.
  • Available only by special order.
  • 3.5-inch form factor won't fit in most laptops.
  • Priced at $40,000 – the cost of a new car.

In short, the ExaDrive DC 100TB has several times the capacity of the largest hard disk currently on the market. With an average lifetime of 2.5 million hours between failures, it represents a superb balance of capacity, performance, and energy efficiency. According to Nimbus, its new drive could store 20 million songs or download 20,000 movies.

Editor's Rating

Let's hear what people think about the eye-watering price of the ExaDrive DC 100TB SSD:

As PC Gamer puts it, $40,000 is a bit steep, if a touch cheaper than the base price of a 2020 Lexus ES luxury sedan.
Tools
A 100-TB SSD is both powerful and portable, but it comes at a price: $400 per terabyte. That may be worth it for some data centers or enterprises.

Do I need a 100TB SSD?

After getting a glimpse of the power of a 100TB SSD, many users start wondering if they need a 100TB SSD. Well, it actually depends on how you plan to use a 100TB SSD:

For ordinary users

No, you don't need this. Your computer can't even fit a 100 TB SSD because regular laptops and desktops use 2.5-inch HDDs, while the 100 TB one is 3.5 inches in size. Most laptops and desktops in the market come with a 1 TB hard drive. The Nimbus 100 TB SSD can hold 100 times that amount. It's not necessary for the average user.

For data-center companies,

Chances are, you probably do. If you represent a data center or own a supercomputer, the ExaDrive 100TB SSD is perfect for you, and here's why. The ExaDrive 100TB SSD uses four flash controllers and 3D MLC NAND chips, allowing for faster data transfer and storage. It helps organizations reduce server sprawl, increase storage efficiency, and lower data center operating costs by up to 75%.

Editorial review

If you're still wondering “Do I need a 100TB SSD?” you can read the comments below:

As you can tell from the review, it's bigger than your average SSD, thanks to its 3.5-inch form factor, as opposed to the more common 2.5-inch hard disk drive size you'd find in a laptop. Nothing has come close to challenging its supremacy since.
Tool
Most computer users don't need a 100-TB SSD for everyday use; 1 TB is ample for most. There are high-capacity workhorse SSDs, such as the Seagate 60-TB SSD and the Samsung 16-TB SSD, but these are aimed at the enterprise market. For general use, we recommend a 1- to 4-TB SSD from Seagate or Samsung.

Conclusions

As mentioned, the ExaDrive 100TB SSD is the world's largest and most efficient solid-state drive. This article will delve into all the information you need to know about the ExaDrive 100TB SSD, including its specifications and features. We will discuss the pros and cons, highlighting the high price point compared to other products and its inability to fit in standard laptops. Ultimately, we conclude that the 100TB SSD is aimed at data-centric enterprises rather than average computer users. Our aim is for you to have a better understanding of the 100TB SSD after reading this article.

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