5CC1X Dell 480GB SATA 6GBPS Mixed-Use Hot Swap SSD

Dell 5CC1X 480GB SATA 6Gbps Mixed-Use Hot-Swap SSD

The Dell 5CC1X 480GB is a 2.5-inch, hot-swappable SATA solid-state drive engineered for mixed-use data-center workloads where a balance of sustained performance, endurance, and cost-efficiency is required. Built to fit Dell PowerEdge platforms (Gen14/15/16 and comparable trays), this SSD combines TLC NAND density with enterprise-grade firmware tuned for consistent latency under mixed read/write activity, making it a practical choice for virtual machines, database caches, tiered storage, boot volumes, and general-purpose server acceleration.

These specifications make the Dell 5CC1X a balanced enterprise SSD that emphasizes predictable mixed-workload throughput while maintaining a lower acquisition cost than high-end NVMe drives.

Detailed performance characteristics

Sequential throughput

The SATA III interface and TLC controller configuration allow sequential throughput close to the theoretical limit of 6 Gbps SATA controllers. In practical terms, sequential read speeds approach 555 MB/s and writes near 530 MB/s — ideal for bulk data transfers, backups, and streaming workloads compared to traditional hard drives.

Random I/O and latency

The SSD architecture excels at random I/O operations. Random read IOPS often reach high tens of thousands at moderate queue depths, resulting in faster application response, improved VM performance, and reduced latency in database workloads. Write IOPS are lower due to TLC write amplification characteristics but remain stable under sustained load thanks to enterprise-grade wear-leveling algorithms.

Endurance, reliability, and drive life

Endurance is expressed as Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) and Terabytes Written (TBW). The Dell 5CC1X typically falls into the mixed-use endurance class, supporting multiple full-drive writes per day over a five-year service life. This balance allows it to handle read-heavy and moderate write workloads without significant wear degradation.

Mean time between failures (MTBF) & firmware resilience

Enterprise-grade SSDs like the Dell 5CC1X include robust error-correction mechanisms, advanced firmware-level wear management, and comprehensive SMART telemetry. These features work together to reduce the likelihood of uncorrectable errors and maintain data integrity throughout the drive’s life span.

Compatibility & targeted platforms

The 5CC1X is an OEM Dell part designed primarily for PowerEdge servers. Its 2.5-inch small-form-factor design and hot-swap tray ensure straightforward installation in Dell server environments. Verify controller and BIOS compatibility with your specific PowerEdge generation before deploying in production.

Use in non-Dell systems

Although optimized for Dell systems, the drive’s standard SATA 2.5-inch design ensures compatibility with other server brands and custom enclosures. Ensure your system’s drive trays and SATA backplane support standard 2.5-inch SATA drives and that vendor firmware does not enforce compatibility restrictions.

Workload suitability The 5CC1X excels

Virtualization

The balanced endurance and high IOPS make the Dell 5CC1X an excellent choice for virtualization platforms. It minimizes VM latency, supports simultaneous read/write requests efficiently, and offers reliable uptime under heavy consolidation.

Database acceleration and caching

For small-to-mid-size databases and caching layers, the drive provides consistent performance and adequate write endurance. It is suitable for transactional workloads, read caching, or as a mid-tier storage option in multi-layer architectures.

Boot/system & application volumes

The Dell 5CC1X is also a strong candidate for operating system and application drives in servers. It speeds up boot times, reduces patch deployment duration, and increases responsiveness for key management and monitoring services.

Installation, hot-swap behavior, and best practices

Installation in Dell PowerEdge systems is simple: insert the drive with its tray into the hot-swap bay until it clicks securely. When performing a live replacement, use system management tools to mark the drive offline before removal. Always confirm RAID controller firmware supports hot-swap procedures and follow Dell’s maintenance guidelines.

SMART attributes and telemetry

SMART data includes metrics such as wear-leveling count, reallocated sectors, and total bytes written. Monitoring these allows proactive replacement before degradation affects reliability. Integrate monitoring data into your system management console for fleet-level health tracking.

RAID considerations and capacity planning

RAID configuration impacts both performance and reliability. RAID 10 offers excellent redundancy and high throughput, while RAID 5/6 provides better storage efficiency but increases rebuild times. When using SSDs in RAID, enable controller-level TRIM support and plan overprovisioning for consistent performance.

Thermal and power considerations

SSDs like the Dell 5CC1X consume less power than HDDs and generate minimal heat. Nonetheless, in high-density arrays, maintaining sufficient airflow is critical. Monitor drive temperature regularly to avoid overheating, which can shorten lifespan or throttle performance.

Encryption, and data protection

Some 5CC1X variants may include self-encrypting drive (SED) features. For sensitive environments, verify encryption support before purchase. When decommissioning drives, use Dell’s recommended secure erase utilities to ensure compliance with data sanitization standards.