400-ATED Dell 960GB SATA 6GBPS Read Intensive SSD.

Dell 400-ATED 960GB Read-Intensive SSD

The Dell 400-ATED is a certified enterprise solid state drive engineered for read-heavy workloads. With a 960GB capacity and SATA 6Gb/s interface, this 2.5-inch hot-plug SSD combines dependable performance, efficient power use and enterprise-grade reliability. Ideal for caching, large read databases, virtualization and content delivery, the 400-ATED provides a cost-effective storage tier for servers that prioritize read throughput.

Technical specifications

General product details

• Manufacturer: Dell
• Model / SKU: 400-ATED
• Product class: Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Form factor: 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF), hot-plug capable
• Interface: SATA 6Gb/s (SATA III)

Storage & memory

• Capacity: 960 GB
• NAND type: 3D TLC (Triple-Level Cell)
• Endurance class: Read-intensive
• DWPD: 1 drive-write per day

Performance metrics

• Drive transfer rate (external): 600 MB/s (theoretical link speed)
• Sequential read: Up to 500 MB/s
• Sequential write: Up to 490 MB/s

Compatibility & supported Dell PowerEdge models

The 400-ATED is validated for use across a broad range of Dell PowerEdge servers. Below is a comprehensive list of verified systems to help you choose the correct platform for deployment.

Supported PowerEdge systems

• PowerEdge C6420
• PowerEdge C6520
• PowerEdge C6525
• PowerEdge C6620
• PowerEdge HS5610
• PowerEdge M620
• PowerEdge R340
• PowerEdge R440
• PowerEdge R450
• PowerEdge R550
• PowerEdge R640
• PowerEdge R650
• PowerEdge R650xs
• PowerEdge R6515
• PowerEdge R6525
• PowerEdge R660
• PowerEdge R6615
• PowerEdge R6625
• PowerEdge R740
• PowerEdge R740xd
• PowerEdge R7425
• PowerEdge R750
• PowerEdge R750xa
• PowerEdge R750xs
• PowerEdge R7515
• PowerEdge R7525
• PowerEdge R760
• PowerEdge R760xs
• PowerEdge R7625
• PowerEdge R940

Dell 400-ATED 960GB 2.5-inch SATA SSD Overview

Understanding Enterprise-Grade Solid State Drives

Enterprise SSDs represent a significant advancement over consumer-grade solid state drives, engineered specifically for the demanding environments of data centers, servers, and business-critical applications. The Dell 400-ATED 960GB SSD stands as a prime example of this category, offering enhanced reliability, consistent performance, and advanced features that distinguish it from desktop-oriented solutions.

Key Enterprise Differentiators

Enterprise SSDs feature enhanced NAND quality with tighter binning, sophisticated wear-leveling algorithms, and over-provisioning strategies that extend drive lifespan. They also include comprehensive telemetry and monitoring through standards like S.M.A.R.T., providing IT administrators with detailed insights into drive health and performance characteristics.

Deep Dive: Dell 400-ATED 960GB SSD Specifications

Capacity and Form Factor

The Dell 400-ATED offers a 960GB capacity in the industry-standard 2.5-inch form factor, making it compatible with most server and storage systems designed for 2.5-inch drive bays. This capacity represents an optimal balance between storage density and cost-effectiveness for read-intensive applications, providing substantial space for operating systems, applications, and frequently accessed data.

Physical Dimensions and Compatibility

Measuring 100.2mm x 69.85mm x 7mm, this drive conforms to the standard 2.5-inch footprint while maintaining a low profile that fits both standard and slim storage enclosures. The 7mm height ensures broad compatibility with modern server configurations and storage arrays from major manufacturers including Dell PowerEdge servers and EqualLogic storage systems.

Interface and Performance Characteristics

Utilizing the SATA 6Gbps interface, the Dell 400-ATED delivers maximum theoretical transfer speeds of up to 600MB/s, fully leveraging the SATA III specification. While not matching the raw speed of NVMe drives, this interface provides excellent performance for applications where cost-effectiveness and compatibility with existing infrastructure are primary considerations.

Sustained Performance Metrics

As a read-intensive drive, the 400-ATED excels in sequential read operations while maintaining respectable write performance. The drive is engineered to deliver consistent I/O operations per second (IOPS) across varying workload conditions, with advanced garbage collection and background maintenance operations designed to minimize performance degradation over time.

NAND Technology: Triple-Level Cell (TLC) Architecture

The implementation of 3D TLC NAND flash memory represents the optimal balance between cost, capacity, and endurance for read-intensive workloads. Unlike consumer TLC implementations, enterprise-grade TLC in the Dell 400-ATED incorporates enhanced write amplification reduction techniques and sophisticated error correction to maximize lifespan while maintaining competitive performance.

TLC Endurance Considerations

While TLC stores three bits per cell, potentially reducing write endurance compared to MLC or SLC NAND, Dell's enterprise implementation includes advanced wear-leveling algorithms, substantial over-provisioning, and intelligent write management that collectively extend the drive's usable lifespan well beyond consumer TLC alternatives.

Read-Intensive Workload Optimization

Defining Read-Intensive Applications

Read-intensive SSDs are specifically engineered for workloads where read operations substantially outnumber write operations, typically in ratios of 70/30 or higher. The Dell 400-ATED excels in these environments by optimizing internal processes for fast data retrieval while maintaining sufficient write capability for normal operational requirements.

Workload Endurance Ratings

The 400-ATED is rated for specific daily write workloads that align with read-intensive applications. With a total bytes written (TBW) rating significantly higher than consumer drives, it ensures reliable operation throughout its warranty period and beyond, even under continuous 24/7 operation in enterprise environments.

Ideal Use Cases and Applications

This drive category excels in numerous enterprise scenarios including web servers, content delivery networks, database query servers, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) boot images, and application servers where data is frequently read but updated less frequently. The performance characteristics make it particularly suitable for accelerating application response times and improving user experience.

Database and Application Server Implementation

In database environments, the Dell 400-ATED significantly reduces query response times for read-heavy operations while providing adequate performance for transaction logging and database updates. For application servers, it accelerates application loading and data access patterns where frequently used data remains relatively static between updates.

Enterprise Features and Reliability Engineering

Power-Loss Protection and Data Integrity

The Dell 400-ATED incorporates advanced power-loss protection circuits that ensure data in transit is safely written to non-volatile memory during unexpected power interruptions. This critical enterprise feature prevents data corruption and maintains filesystem integrity, making the drive suitable for applications where data consistency is paramount.

End-to-End Data Protection

Comprehensive data protection mechanisms include error correction code (ECC) throughout the data path, from host interface to NAND memory arrays. This end-to-end protection detects and corrects errors that may occur during data transmission or storage, ensuring the integrity of mission-critical business data.

Advanced Monitoring and Management

Enterprise storage administrators benefit from extensive monitoring capabilities through standards-compliant S.M.A.R.T. attributes tailored for enterprise requirements. These attributes provide early warning of potential issues, enabling proactive maintenance and replacement before failures impact business operations.

Dell-Specific Management Integration

When deployed in Dell PowerEdge servers or storage systems, the 400-ATED integrates seamlessly with Dell OpenManage and other management platforms, providing enhanced visibility into drive health, performance metrics, and compatibility status. This integration simplifies storage management in heterogeneous IT environments.

Comparative Analysis: Understanding SSD Tiers

Read-Intensive vs. Mixed-Use vs. Write-Intensive SSDs

Enterprise SSDs are typically categorized into three primary tiers based on their workload optimization. Read-intensive drives like the 400-ATED prioritize cost-effectiveness for read-dominant workloads, while mixed-use drives balance read and write performance for varied workloads, and write-intensive drives employ more durable NAND technologies for write-heavy applications.

Compatibility and Integration Considerations

Server and Storage System Compatibility

The Dell 400-ATED is engineered for broad compatibility with Dell PowerEdge servers, including the R-series, T-series, and MX-series, as well as Dell Storage platforms such as SC Series, PowerVault, and EqualLogic. Its standard SATA interface also ensures compatibility with many third-party servers and storage systems that support 2.5-inch SATA drives.

Operating System and Hypervisor Support

With standard AHCI interface compliance, the 400-ATED supports all major operating systems including Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, and other hypervisors without requiring specialized drivers. This universal compatibility simplifies deployment and maintenance across diverse IT environments.

Performance Characteristics and Real-World Applications

Latency and Throughput Optimization

The Dell 400-ATED is engineered to deliver consistently low latency for read operations, a critical characteristic for applications requiring rapid data access. Advanced queue management and command processing optimizations ensure that the drive maintains responsive performance even under heavy load conditions.

Quality of Service (QoS) Characteristics

Enterprise SSDs prioritize predictable performance through consistent Quality of Service metrics. The 400-ATED maintains tight latency distributions and predictable input/output operations, ensuring that applications experience minimal performance variance during peak usage periods.

Virtualization and Cloud Workloads

In virtualized environments, the Dell 400-ATED significantly improves VM boot times, application responsiveness, and overall density by reducing storage bottlenecks. For cloud service providers and enterprise private clouds, these drives offer an optimal balance of performance and cost for host operating system storage and frequently accessed VM images.

VDI Implementation Benefits

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure deployments benefit substantially from the read-optimized characteristics of the 400-ATED, particularly for linked clone environments and boot storms where multiple virtual desktops start simultaneously. The drive's ability to handle numerous concurrent read requests accelerates login times and improves user experience.