345-BLNP Dell 61.44TB PCIe Gen4 4.0 X4 Nvme U.2 SSD

High-Capacity Dell 345-BLNP 61.44TB NVMe U.2 SSD Overview

The 345-BLNP Dell 61.44TB NVMe U.2 2.5-inch Solid State Drive represents a major leap forward in enterprise storage, delivering high-speed data throughput, remarkable capacity, and ultra-efficient IOPS performance. Engineered specifically for Dell PowerEdge servers in the 14G, 15G, 16G, and 17G generations, this solid-state drive combines the latest PCIe Gen4 x4 interface with QLC (Quad-Level Cell) 3D NAND technology to meet the demands of today's enterprise data centers, cloud storage infrastructures, and edge computing environments.

PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface for Maximum Throughput

Leveraging the full power of the PCIe Gen4 4.0 x4 interface, the 345-BLNP delivers up to twice the data bandwidth compared to previous PCIe Gen3 SSDs. This translates into faster sequential read and write speeds, reduced latency, and optimized response times for high-volume transactional workloads. With read speeds exceeding 6,500MB/s and write speeds approaching 4,000MB/s, this enterprise-grade SSD is ideal for I/O-intensive applications like real-time analytics, AI/ML model training, and high-frequency trading platforms.

U.2 Form Factor for Optimal Compatibility

The 2.5-inch U.2 form factor ensures seamless integration with Dell's modern rackmount and tower server architectures. Unlike M.2 or add-in card (AIC) formats, U.2 drives like the 345-BLNP are hot-swappable, providing the flexibility and uptime critical for enterprise operations. This makes it a preferred solution for environments requiring high-availability (HA) storage configurations, RAID arrays, and large-scale virtual machine clusters.

Advanced QLC 3D NAND Technology

At the heart of the Dell 345-BLNP lies quad-level cell (QLC) 3D NAND flash, which allows for higher storage density and reduced cost per gigabyte. While traditional TLC NAND stores three bits per cell, QLC technology stores four, enabling a dramatic increase in capacity without sacrificing footprint. Ideal for read-intensive workloads such as media streaming, object storage, backup and archival solutions, and large file repositories, QLC NAND is redefining what's possible in high-capacity SSD deployments.

Tailored for Dell PowerEdge 14G, 15G, 16G, and 17G Servers

Dell has optimized the 345-BLNP NVMe SSD to work seamlessly with its PowerEdge server families, including R640, R740, R750, R760, R840, R940, T640, MX740c, MX840c, and others. Featuring direct compatibility with Dell firmware, thermal monitoring, and remote management via iDRAC, the drive ensures peak performance, system-level validation, and end-to-end lifecycle support.

Hot-Swap Tray Included for Easy Deployment

This NVMe SSD includes a Dell-certified hot-swap tray, pre-installed and ready for insertion into a compatible server chassis. This simplifies the installation process, eliminates the need for third-party adapters, and ensures mechanical integrity and airflow alignment inside high-density enclosures. Whether scaling out hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) or deploying software-defined storage (SDS), this plug-and-play tray feature streamlines deployment.

Key Features and Benefits of the Dell 345-BLNP 61.44TB U.2 NVMe SSD

• Massive 61.44TB storage capacity for high-density data environments
• PCIe Gen4 x4 interface for industry-leading data transfer speeds
• Enterprise-grade QLC 3D NAND flash for efficient storage scaling
• Optimized for Dell 14G-17G PowerEdge servers with native firmware support
• U.2 2.5-inch form factor with hot-swap capability for ease of maintenance
• Thermal throttling and power-loss protection (PLP) for data integrity
• Ideal for read-heavy workloads, cold data storage, and cloud infrastructures

Workload Optimization: Use Cases and Application Scenarios

The 345-BLNP is purpose-built for environments that demand high capacity and reliability with moderate write endurance. Common use cases include:

• Cloud Object Storage: Large-scale S3-compatible storage clusters
• Data Lakes and Analytics: Centralized data repositories for query processing
• Video Surveillance: High-resolution archival of continuous camera feeds
• Backup and Disaster Recovery: Long-term storage tiers in DR setups
• Media Streaming: High-volume content delivery networks (CDNs)

Reliability and Enterprise Endurance Metrics

Even with its QLC architecture, the Dell 345-BLNP SSD incorporates advanced controller algorithms and firmware that ensure high reliability, endurance, and minimal bit error rates. Built-in error-correcting code (ECC), end-to-end data protection, and power-loss data protection safeguard against data corruption and unexpected shutdowns. The drive is rated for hundreds of drive writes per year (DWPD), tailored specifically for write-light, read-intensive operations.

Thermal Management and Monitoring

Equipped with advanced temperature sensors and dynamic thermal throttling, this SSD maintains optimal operating conditions even in 24/7 mission-critical workloads. Integration with Dell’s OpenManage and iDRAC remote console enables real-time health monitoring, performance diagnostics, and proactive issue detection across your entire infrastructure.

Comparing Dell 345-BLNP Against Other Enterprise SSDs

When compared to other enterprise-class SSDs—such as Intel P5510, Samsung PM1735, or Western Digital Ultrastar DC SN640—the 345-BLNP stands out due to its unique combination of extremely high capacity, QLC NAND pricing efficiency, and full stack Dell server support. While the endurance levels may not match those of TLC-based drives, the 345-BLNP excels in environments where data is written infrequently but accessed regularly.

Performance vs. Capacity Tradeoffs

Although QLC NAND does not match TLC or MLC in terms of write endurance, the Dell 345-BLNP strategically leverages onboard DRAM and SLC cache to buffer write operations. This results in improved short-term write performance while maintaining the long-term advantages of high capacity per dollar. For Tier 2 storage and archival nodes, this balance is often optimal.

QLC vs. TLC for Enterprise Use

QLC flash storage like that in the Dell 345-BLNP has matured significantly, now featuring firmware-level enhancements such as wear leveling, bad block management, and predictive failure analytics. This allows it to serve more demanding environments than previous generations, while delivering substantial TCO benefits in terms of power consumption, cooling, and physical footprint reduction.

Integration with Enterprise Storage Infrastructure

The 345-BLNP fits perfectly into SAN, NAS, and hyper-converged platforms based on Dell hardware. Whether used in conjunction with VMware vSAN, Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct (S2D), or Red Hat Ceph, this SSD enhances performance for scalable workloads. The support for NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) further extends its value in disaggregated storage environments.

Server Models with Native NVMe U.2 Support

• Dell PowerEdge R650, R750, R750xs
• Dell PowerEdge T550, T640
• PowerEdge MX740c / MX750c modular platforms
• Dell R940xa and HPC clusters with U.2 backplane
• Edge and Micro Data Center deployments with U.2 NVMe slots

Benefits of Dell Firmware Integration

Firmware-level optimization ensures that the Dell 345-BLNP communicates efficiently with system BIOS and RAID controllers. Features like Secure Erase, firmware upgrades via Lifecycle Controller, and predictive failure alerts improve uptime and reduce administrative overhead. This seamless integration also facilitates full support under Dell ProSupport and enterprise warranty programs.

Environmental and Compliance Standards

The 345-BLNP SSD adheres to strict environmental and safety standards, including RoHS, CE, FCC, and TUV certifications. Power-efficient operation reduces carbon footprint while maintaining high performance per watt. As part of Dell’s commitment to sustainable IT, these drives support low idle power states and contribute to overall data center energy optimization goals.

Power Efficiency and Operating Conditions

Designed for enterprise uptime, the 345-BLNP maintains stable performance across a temperature range of 0°C to 70°C. Power draw remains within optimal server PSU load thresholds, ensuring compatibility with dense rack setups. Drive-level power loss protection further secures data even during unexpected power events.

The 345-BLNP Dell 61.44TB NVMe SSD

Whether you're upgrading your current PowerEdge fleet or building a new server environment, the Dell 345-BLNP provides a future-proof solution to enterprise-scale storage challenges. By leveraging PCIe Gen4, QLC NAND, and seamless PowerEdge compatibility, IT teams can reduce storage complexity, improve TCO, and accelerate time to insight.

Certified and Tested for Enterprise Workloads

All 345-BLNP drives undergo rigorous Dell factory validation, burn-in testing, and firmware integrity checks. This ensures maximum reliability under sustained enterprise workloads. Each unit is backed by Dell's enterprise support services and optional next-business-day replacement coverage.