63P4K Dell Certified SSD 7.68TB SAS 12GBPS Read Intensive TLC

Main Information about Dell 63P4K 7.68TB SAS SSD

Manufacturer and Identification

• Brand: Dell
• Part Number / SKU: 63P4K
• Category: Solid State Drive
• Subtype: 7.68TB SAS 12Gbps Enterprise SSD

Technical Specifications

Drive Architecture

• Model Type: Internal Solid State Storage
• Total Capacity: 7.68TB
• Flash Memory: V-NAND TLC
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch, 15mm SFF design
• Interface: SAS 12Gb/s

Reliability and Endurance

• Drive Endurance: Read-Intensive
• DWPD (Drive Writes per Day): 1 DWPD
• Security: Self-Encrypting (SED) hardware-based protection

Performance Metrics

Data Transfer Speed

• Sequential Read: Up to 2130 MB/s
• Sequential Write: Up to 2101 MB/s

Input/Output Operations

• Random Read: 470K IOPS
• Random Write: 110K IOPS

Server Compatibility

Supported PowerEdge Platforms

• PowerEdge C6600 / C6615 / C6620
• PowerEdge MX760c
• PowerEdge R440 / R450 / R550
• PowerEdge R650 / R650xs / R6515
• PowerEdge R660 / R6615 / R6625
• PowerEdge R740 / R740xd
• PowerEdge R750 / R750xa / R750xs / R7515
• PowerEdge R760 / R7615 / R7625
• PowerEdge R940
• PowerEdge T550
• PowerEdge XR7620

Powervault Compatibility

• Powervault MD2424

Dell 63P4K 7.68TB SAS-12GBPS Read Intensive SSD

The Dell 63P4K 7.68TB Self-Encrypting (SED) SAS-12GBPS Read Intensive 1 DWPD TLC 2.5-inch hot-plug certified solid state drive with tray is engineered for modern PowerEdge 14g, 15g, and 16g server platforms that demand high-capacity, secure, and efficient storage optimized for read-heavy workloads. This drive combines enterprise-grade SAS-12Gbps throughput with a 2.5-inch small form factor and advanced self-encryption technology to deliver a balance of capacity, performance, and data protection. Designed and certified specifically for Dell PowerEdge systems, the 63P4K drive supports rapid hot-swap replacement using the included tray and integrates with Dell's firmware, management tools, and RAID/host bus adapter ecosystems for seamless deployment in production environments.

Technical Specifications and Interface Details

The drive features a SAS 12Gbps interface, supporting enterprise host adapters and RAID controllers commonly found in server racks and storage arrays. At 7.68TB native capacity, the drive uses 3D TLC NAND configured for read intensive workloads with an advertised 1 drive write per day (1 DWPD) endurance, making it suitable for large datasets where reads dramatically outnumber writes. The 2.5-inch form factor (SFF) and hot-plug capability allow data center operators to maximize bay density while maintaining flexible serviceability. The certified tray provided with Dell 63P4K ensures mechanical compatibility with 14g/15g/16g PowerEdge chassis and guarantees that drive activity lights and locking mechanisms align with the server front panel and sled design.

Form Factor, Connectors, and Mechanical Design

The compact 2.5-inch SFF design reduces physical footprint without compromising capacity or thermal behavior. The drive's connector and pin-out meet SAS standards for backward compatibility with 6Gbps and 3Gbps controllers in mixed environments, though full performance is realized over native 12Gbps SAS links. The mechanical sled/tray is engineered to fit standard Dell hot-swap bays and supports the server’s insertion/ejection latch system. Shock and vibration tolerance are rated for enterprise use; the drive’s construction and mounting points are validated to survive typical rack-level shipping and on-rack vibration conditions.

Performance Characteristics for Read-Intensive Workloads

Optimized for read-intensive applications, the Dell 63P4K excels when used in content delivery, caching layers, virtualization read caches, large-scale file serving, and analytics where high sequential and random read throughput deliver direct user and application benefits. The SAS-12Gbps interface provides headroom for low-latency operations, lower queuing delays, and consistent I/O response under mixed I/O patterns. While configured for 1 DWPD endurance to match its read-centric role, the drive still implements advanced NAND management, wear-leveling, and error correction routines to preserve long-term data integrity and predictable performance over its service lifespan.

Latency, IOPS, and Real-World Throughput

Latency characteristics of the 63P4K are tuned for enterprise workloads, with sustained low-latency reads even under concurrent access from multiple host threads. Random read IOPS performance is geared to support high-concurrency applications such as database query workloads and virtual machine boot storms, while sequential throughput handles large dataset streaming and backup read operations efficiently. Because the drive operates within the SAS protocol, queued command handling and error recovery are robust, enabling predictable tail latency which is critical for SLAs and user-facing services.

Endurance, Reliability, and Data Integrity

The 1 DWPD rating for TLC NAND reflects a careful trade-off between cost per gigabyte and lifetime write endurance, making the 7.68TB Dell 63P4K ideal for workloads where reads dominate and writes are moderate. Enterprise-class features such as end-to-end data path protection, powerful ECC algorithms, bad block management, and background media scanning help prevent silent data corruption and extend usable life. SMART reporting and internal telemetry enable administrators to monitor wear indicators and proactively retire drives before data loss becomes likely, thereby minimizing unplanned downtime.

SMART Telemetry, Monitoring, and Predictive Replacement

Integrated SMART attributes provide the observability required for modern predictive maintenance workflows. Dell’s firmware and management stack can surface drive health metrics, temperature trends, error counts, and allocation of spare blocks to centralized monitoring tools. This telemetry allows IT teams to schedule replacements, firmware updates, and capacity planning with minimal operational disruption, reducing the chance of emergency rebuilds that stress RAID arrays and slow overall system performance.

Security: Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) Capabilities

Security is a first-class element of the 63P4K with onboard self-encryption (SED) that protects data at rest without impacting host performance. Hardware-based cryptographic engines perform full-disk encryption transparently, ensuring that data remains unreadable if a drive is removed or stolen. Key management compatibility with industry practices, support for secure erase routines, and alignment with enterprise policies help organizations meet regulatory and compliance requirements for data protection. For environments that require isolated key handling, the drive can be integrated with server-based or external key management solutions that follow KMIP or other standards, delivering flexible deployment models for enterprise security teams.

Secure Erase, Crypto-Erase, and Regulatory Compliance

The drive supports fast cryptographic erase options that render the encryption keys unrecoverable, providing a rapid and secure means to sanitize storage prior to decommissioning or redeployment. This capability reduces the time and complexity associated with drive lifecycle transitions and helps organizations comply with data privacy regulations that mandate secure disposal of personal and sensitive data. When deployed in regulated industries, the self-encrypting features reduce the administrative burden of tracking media and documenting sanitization procedures.

Compatibility and Dell PowerEdge Certification

Compatibility with Dell PowerEdge 14g, 15g, and 16g server families is a core advantage of the Dell 63P4K drive. Certification means the drive has passed mechanical, electrical, firmware, and interoperability tests for those server generations, reducing the risk of incompatibilities that can delay rollouts. Certified drives are validated against Dell RAID controllers, HBA firmware versions, backplane configurations, and chassis cooling profiles. This ensures that administrators deploying the 63P4K into existing PowerEdge fleets will benefit from predictable integration and supported firmware update pathways through Dell support channels.

Controller, RAID, and Backplane Considerations

To achieve optimal performance, pair the 63P4K with a controller or HBA that supports SAS 12Gbps and has been validated by Dell. Hardware RAID controllers with battery or flash-backed cache will influence write behavior and rebuild speeds, while software RAID solutions can exploit the drive’s throughput for high-density storage pools. Backplane design and cabling must maintain signal integrity for 12Gbps SAS lanes; certified trays and sleds help ensure the mechanical and electrical fit that maintains reliable connections across rack mounts and hot-swap operations.