KIOXIA Introduces Industry-Leading 245.76 TB NVMe SSDs Designed for Generative AI and Data-Centric Workloads
KIOXIA America, Inc. has announced a groundbreaking addition to its KIOXIA LC9 Series enterprise SSD lineup: the industry’s first 245.76 terabyte (TB) NVMe™ SSD, available in both 2.5-inch and Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) E3.L form factors. This milestone solidifies the KIOXIA LC9 Series as the highest-capacity PCIe 5.0 enterprise SSD on the market, offering unparalleled performance and efficiency tailored to the demands of generative AI environments. The new capacity complements the previously announced 122.88 TB model, further expanding options for organizations seeking scalable, high-performance storage solutions.
Generative AI applications place extraordinary demands on storage infrastructure. These workloads require the ability to store vast datasets for training large language models (LLMs), as well as creating embeddings and vector databases that support inference through retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). Such tasks necessitate storage solutions with massive capacity, exceptional speed, and superior power efficiency—criteria that the KIOXIA LC9 Series meets and exceeds.
Cutting-Edge Technology Powers Unmatched Performance
At the heart of the KIOXIA LC9 Series is a 32-die stack of 2 terabit (Tb) BiCS FLASH™ QLC 3D flash memory, enhanced by KIOXIA’s innovative CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology. This advanced memory architecture enables an industry-first achievement: packing 8 TB into a compact 154 BGA package. The breakthrough was made possible through advancements in KIOXIA’s high-precision wafer processing, material design, and wire bonding technologies, showcasing the company’s leadership in flash memory innovation.
The combination of BiCS FLASH™ QLC 3D memory and CBA technology ensures that KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs deliver the speed, scale, and density required to meet the next wave of AI-centric workloads. These drives are designed to excel in data lakes, where rapid ingestion and processing of massive datasets are critical. Unlike traditional HDDs, which often create bottlenecks and leave costly GPUs underutilized, KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs provide dense storage in a compact footprint. Each 245.76 TB drive can replace multiple power-hungry HDDs, offering superior performance, reduced power consumption, fewer drive slots used, and more efficient cooling—all of which contribute to significantly lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).
Key Features of the KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs
The KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs boast a range of features designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern data centers:
- Capacities: Up to 245.76 TB in 2.5-inch and E3.L form factors; up to 122.88 TB in 2.5-inch and E3.S form factors.
- Performance Specifications: Designed to PCIe® 5.0 (max. 128 GT/s Gen5 single x4, dual x2), NVMe 2.0, and NVMe-MI™ 1.2c standards.
- Open Compute Project (OCP): Supports OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD specification v2.5 (not all requirements).
- Flexible Data Placement (FDP): Minimizes write amplification and extends SSD lifespan.
- Security Options: Includes SIE, SED, and FIPS SED configurations to safeguard sensitive data.
- Future-Ready Security: CNSA 2.0 signing algorithm adopted, with designs incorporating future quantum security standards.
Optimizing IT Infrastructure for the AI Era
“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 center architecture, we’re delivering breakthrough technology that enables our customers to optimize their IT infrastructure investments—pushing boundaries in performance, efficiency, and scale.”
The KIOXIA LC9 Series is uniquely positioned to address the challenges posed by generative AI and other data-intensive applications. By providing high-capacity, high-speed storage with exceptional power efficiency, these SSDs empower organizations to maximize GPU utilization, accelerate data processing, and reduce operational costs. This makes them ideal for hyperscale data centers, cloud service providers, and enterprises tackling complex AI and machine learning workloads.
Sampling and Showcase at Future of Memory and Storage 2025
The KIOXIA LC9 Series SSDs are currently sampling to select customers and will be showcased at the Future of Memory and Storage 2025 conference, scheduled to take place from August 5–7 in Santa Clara. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore how these cutting-edge drives are redefining the possibilities of enterprise storage, enabling organizations to unlock the full potential of generative AI and other data-driven innovations.
A Leap Forward for Enterprise Storage
The introduction of the KIOXIA LC9 Series represents a significant leap forward in enterprise storage technology. By delivering the industry’s first 245.76 TB NVMe SSD, KIOXIA is addressing the growing demand for storage solutions capable of supporting the immense data requirements of generative AI and other high-performance computing applications. With its unmatched capacity, advanced features, and focus on efficiency, the KIOXIA LC9 Series sets a new standard for scalability and performance in the data center.
As the landscape of AI and data analytics continues to evolve, KIOXIA remains at the forefront of innovation, providing the tools necessary to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The KIOXIA LC9 Series not only pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in storage but also empowers organizations to build smarter, faster, and more efficient IT infrastructures. For businesses seeking to stay ahead in an increasingly data-driven world, the KIOXIA LC9 Series offers a transformative solution that combines capacity, speed, and sustainability like never before.
About KIOXIA America, Inc.
KIOXIA America, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of KIOXIA Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid-state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today’s breakthrough BiCS FLASH™ 3D technology, KIOXIA continues to pioneer innovative memory, SSD and software solutions that enrich people’s lives and expand society’s horizons. The company’s innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH, is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, automotive systems, data centers and generative AI systems.
