WUS5EA176ESP5E1 Sandisk 7.68TB PCI Express Gen4 SSD.

Product Overview of Sandisk 7.68TB PCIe NVMe SSD

The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 7.68TB Ultrastar SSD is a high-performance enterprise-grade solid-state drive designed for modern data-intensive workloads. With its PCI Express Gen4 and NVMe 1.4b interface, this SSD ensures exceptional speed, reliability, and endurance for demanding environments such as cloud datacenters, AI, and big data analytics.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Sandisk 
• Model Number: WUS5EA176ESP5E1
• Product Type: Solid State Drive (SSD)

Technical Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 7.68 Terabytes
• Interface Type: PCIe Gen4, NVMe 1.4b
• Form Factor: U.3 15mm
• Security Feature: Base (SE)
• Endurance Rating: 1 Drive Write Per Day (DWPD)
• Maximum Petabytes Written (PBW): 14.0 PB

Performance Highlights

Sequential Performance

• Maximum Sequential Read Speed: 6500 MB/s
• Maximum Sequential Write Speed: 1900 MB/s

Random Performance

• Random Read IOPS (4KiB): 705K
• Random Write IOPS (4KiB): 74K

Latency

• Read Latency: 115 µs
• Write Latency: 30 µs

Power Consumption

• Power Requirement: +12V, 3.3V (±10%)
• Active Power Usage: 16W – 18W (typical)
• Idle Power Consumption: 8W (average)

Compatibility and Supported Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows
• Windows Server Editions
• Linux Distributions

Ideal Use Cases and Applications

Data-Centric Environments

• Cloud and Hyperscale Datacenters
• Software-Defined Storage Solutions
• Big Data Analytics Platforms

Advanced Computing

• NoSQL and Distributed Databases
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
• Deep Learning and High-Performance Computing
• Data Archiving and Backup Storage

Key Benefits at a Glance

• High capacity of 7.68TB for large-scale data workloads
• Exceptional read/write speeds for faster data access
• Low latency and efficient power usage
• Compatible with major operating systems

Sandisk 7.68TB PCIe NVMe Ultrastar DC SN650 SSD

The Sandisk  WUS5EA176ESP5E1 7.68TB PCI Express NVMe Ultrastar DC SN650 represents a new generation of enterprise-grade solid-state storage designed for high-performance data center and hyperscale environments. Engineered with the latest PCIe Gen4 interface and NVMe 1.4b protocol, this Ultrastar drive delivers exceptional throughput, consistent latency, and superior reliability. Its 7.68TB capacity offers an excellent balance between performance, efficiency, and endurance for mission-critical workloads that demand nonstop availability and optimized power efficiency.

Built upon Sandisk’s heritage of innovation and proven engineering, the Ultrastar DC SN650 series pushes the boundaries of enterprise SSD technology by combining a high-speed PCIe Gen4 connection with advanced flash management and firmware algorithms. The U.3 15mm form factor provides broad compatibility with existing infrastructure while enabling seamless deployment in servers, cloud storage nodes, and scale-out architectures. Every aspect of this drive—from endurance to latency control—is designed to meet the rigorous demands of data-intensive applications and large-scale storage systems.

Enterprise-Level Design and Advanced Architecture

At its core, the Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 employs a meticulously designed architecture optimized for low latency and maximum throughput. Leveraging NVMe 1.4b technology, it eliminates traditional bottlenecks found in SATA or SAS interfaces, ensuring direct, streamlined communication between the storage and CPU. This results in faster data transactions, reduced queue depths, and enhanced responsiveness under heavy workloads. The integration of advanced flash management techniques further guarantees consistent performance even during sustained read and write operations.

The Ultrastar DC SN650 is built using enterprise-grade NAND flash memory designed to endure demanding write-intensive environments. With an endurance rating of 1 drive write per day (DWPD) and a total of 14 petabytes written (PBW), this SSD offers predictable reliability throughout its operational lifespan. This makes it ideal for continuous workloads in environments such as virtualized servers, AI/ML training clusters, and high-transaction databases that operate 24/7 without downtime.

Cutting-Edge PCIe Gen4 NVMe 1.4b Interface

The inclusion of a PCIe Gen4 interface in the WUS5EA176ESP5E1 elevates performance to an entirely new level compared to previous generations. PCIe Gen4 doubles the bandwidth available per lane, enabling faster data transfers and reduced latency across a wide range of applications. Combined with NVMe 1.4b’s efficient command set and low-overhead queuing system, this architecture allows simultaneous high-speed I/O operations that are essential for data centers running large-scale virtualization or real-time analytics.

Enterprises deploying the Ultrastar DC SN650 benefit from optimized command prioritization and advanced namespace management. These features improve storage flexibility by allowing administrators to tailor drive resources to specific workloads, thereby enhancing efficiency and maximizing hardware utilization. Furthermore, the NVMe protocol enables fine-grained control over data paths, improving performance consistency and reducing jitter in time-sensitive tasks.

Exceptional Performance Metrics

The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 offers outstanding sequential and random performance characteristics that meet or exceed modern data center requirements. With a maximum sequential read throughput of 6500 MB/s and a write throughput of up to 1900 MB/s, the drive ensures smooth and rapid data flow between compute resources and storage nodes. These capabilities translate into faster response times for cloud applications, database queries, and virtualized workloads, ensuring users experience minimal lag even under heavy concurrent access.

For random performance, the drive delivers up to 705,000 IOPS for read operations and 74,000 IOPS for write operations. These numbers reflect the drive’s ability to handle parallel operations efficiently, a critical factor for transaction-heavy systems and online platforms processing large volumes of real-time data. In addition, the drive’s low latency characteristics—115 microseconds for reads and 30 microseconds for writes—ensure predictable and consistent responses that enhance system reliability and user satisfaction.

Optimized Power Management and Energy Efficiency

Efficiency plays a crucial role in modern data center infrastructure, and the WUS5EA176ESP5E1 excels in this area. The drive’s intelligent power management system dynamically adjusts energy usage based on workload intensity, maintaining optimal performance while minimizing heat generation and energy waste. Operating on +12V and 3.3V power rails with typical active consumption between 16 and 18 watts and an idle average of 8 watts, the Ultrastar DC SN650 reduces total cost of ownership through improved power efficiency and lower cooling requirements.

The result is a storage solution that balances top-tier performance with environmental responsibility. This energy-conscious design enables data centers to scale more effectively while meeting stringent sustainability targets and reducing operational expenditures.

Enhanced Security and Data Protection Features

The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 comes equipped with Base SE (Security Enabled) support, ensuring essential data protection mechanisms are integrated at the hardware level. This includes capabilities for secure erase functions and compliance with enterprise-level data sanitization standards. Such measures guarantee that sensitive data can be safely removed before decommissioning or repurposing drives within a storage environment.

In addition to its security base, the drive incorporates advanced error correction and end-to-end data path protection. These technologies detect and correct potential bit errors during data transmission, preserving integrity across the full data path—from host to NAND flash. As a result, enterprises gain confidence knowing their mission-critical workloads remain intact and uncompromised, even in high-transaction or multi-tenant scenarios.

Compatibility and Integration

The U.3 15mm form factor of the WUS5EA176ESP5E1 ensures seamless integration with current enterprise infrastructure. Its standardized connector supports backward compatibility with U.2 systems when used with appropriate adapters, making it a flexible upgrade path for existing deployments. The drive’s firmware is optimized for compatibility with leading operating systems including Windows Server, major Linux distributions, and virtualization platforms such as VMware and KVM. This ensures rapid deployment without the need for extensive configuration changes.

The Ultrastar DC SN650 fits effortlessly into cloud environments, storage arrays, and scale-out clusters where balanced performance and endurance are key priorities. Whether used for boot drives, cache acceleration, or as primary data storage in hyperscale servers, its robust engineering ensures consistent performance and broad ecosystem compatibility.

Applications Across Modern Data Ecosystems

The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 is purpose-built for the evolving landscape of enterprise computing and cloud operations. It serves as an optimal choice for workloads that rely heavily on low-latency storage and consistent throughput. In cloud datacenters, this drive ensures smooth operation for distributed computing environments where scalability and reliability determine performance success. Its stable response times and high endurance make it suitable for shared resource pools that demand predictable quality of service.

In the world of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the drive’s combination of speed and capacity enables faster data ingestion and model training. By significantly reducing data access bottlenecks, the Ultrastar DC SN650 accelerates the development and deployment of intelligent systems. Additionally, big data analytics platforms benefit from the SSD’s rapid sequential and random access speeds, allowing quicker query responses and more efficient resource allocation during data-intensive processing.

Performance in Database and Virtualization Environments

The WUS5EA176ESP5E1 excels in database environments such as SQL and NoSQL systems, where consistent read and write performance is essential to maintaining transactional integrity. The drive’s low latency ensures that high-frequency queries and updates occur seamlessly, improving overall database efficiency. In virtualized infrastructures, it enables high-density VM deployments without performance degradation, supporting the demands of multi-user access and complex workloads simultaneously.

Its optimized I/O operations contribute to lower contention between virtual machines, ensuring each instance benefits from fast, predictable performance. This makes it ideal for enterprise private clouds and hybrid data architectures that prioritize performance scalability.

Reliability and Endurance for Continuous Operations

Built to Sandisk’s rigorous reliability standards, the Ultrastar DC SN650 series undergoes extensive validation and testing to ensure operational stability. With an endurance rating of 1 DWPD, this drive supports consistent write operations over its lifetime, which is essential for data center applications involving frequent updates, caching, or logging activities. Furthermore, its 14 petabytes written specification provides long-term dependability in high-demand environments, minimizing maintenance costs and downtime risks.

The firmware is fine-tuned to maintain performance consistency across the drive’s entire lifespan, reducing the risk of performance degradation under sustained workloads. Coupled with comprehensive SMART monitoring and diagnostic tools, administrators can easily track drive health metrics, identify anomalies, and predict potential issues before they impact system performance.

Thermal and Environmental Resilience

Thermal efficiency is another cornerstone of the WUS5EA176ESP5E1’s design. Its internal components and heat dissipation structures are engineered to operate reliably under varying temperature and workload conditions. This allows the drive to maintain optimal speeds without throttling, even during peak demand. The SSD’s robust build quality ensures operational stability in dense rack-mounted systems where airflow can be limited.

The drive’s design also emphasizes environmental durability, with components rated for extended operational cycles. Its ability to maintain performance under pressure makes it a trusted solution for enterprise deployments that require uninterrupted uptime and consistent data accessibility.

Scalability and Future-Proof Infrastructure Integration

As enterprises continue transitioning toward digital-first strategies, storage scalability has become paramount. The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 offers an ideal balance of capacity and performance, enabling organizations to scale horizontally without compromising on speed or reliability. Its U.3 interface supports modern server backplanes designed for Gen4 architectures, ensuring that it remains compatible with the next wave of enterprise infrastructure advancements.

The drive’s modular deployment flexibility allows it to be implemented in various configurations, from all-flash arrays to tiered storage architectures. When combined with Sandisk’s enterprise management software, administrators can orchestrate complex storage pools, monitor drive behavior, and optimize workloads to achieve maximum efficiency.

NVMe Quality of Service (QoS) Optimization

The NVMe architecture in the WUS5EA176ESP5E1 includes robust Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms that regulate I/O prioritization to maintain consistent latency. This ensures time-sensitive applications, such as financial transaction systems or streaming analytics, receive guaranteed performance levels regardless of workload fluctuations. By minimizing latency variance, the Ultrastar DC SN650 provides superior determinism—a key requirement for enterprise service-level agreements (SLAs).

The drive’s multi-queue capability allows thousands of simultaneous I/O commands to be processed in parallel, reducing queue contention and maximizing throughput across multi-core processors. This design approach ensures that the storage subsystem never becomes a bottleneck, even under extreme operational stress.

Cloud Datacenter Applications and Edge Computing

Beyond core data centers, the Ultrastar DC SN650 extends its advantages to edge computing environments. As enterprises distribute workloads closer to end-users, the need for reliable, high-performance local storage grows. The WUS5EA176ESP5E1’s compact U.3 design and robust endurance make it suitable for edge servers handling real-time analytics, IoT data processing, and content delivery.

In cloud service providers’ infrastructure, the drive’s combination of throughput and efficiency ensures smooth scaling for shared hosting and multi-tenant workloads. The ability to deliver consistent QoS across distributed nodes reduces latency for cloud applications, ensuring end-users experience seamless interaction even under peak load conditions.

Data Integrity and Enterprise Reliability Engineering

Sandisk’s focus on enterprise reliability is evident throughout the WUS5EA176ESP5E1’s design. From its end-to-end data path protection to enhanced ECC (Error Correction Code), the drive safeguards every bit of data it stores or transfers. Each firmware component undergoes rigorous validation testing to ensure error-free performance even under extreme operating conditions.

The Ultrastar DC SN650 also incorporates power loss protection mechanisms that prevent data corruption during unexpected shutdowns or power fluctuations. This ensures that transactions in progress are securely written to non-volatile memory, protecting critical data assets from loss or damage. Such reliability features are fundamental for financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare applications where data accuracy is non-negotiable.

Sandisk’s Commitment to Enterprise Innovation

Sandisk continues to lead in enterprise storage innovation, and the WUS5EA176ESP5E1 exemplifies this dedication. Every component of the Ultrastar DC SN650 series is developed with long-term scalability, operational reliability, and technological forward-compatibility in mind. The result is a storage device capable of meeting today’s performance standards while being ready for tomorrow’s advancements in AI, data analytics, and cloud computing.

By integrating cutting-edge interface technology, intelligent power management, and robust data integrity mechanisms, Sandisk ensures the Ultrastar SSD line remains at the forefront of enterprise storage solutions. The WUS5EA176ESP5E1 continues this legacy by providing the ultimate combination of speed, endurance, and dependability for mission-critical operations.

Industry Impact and Future Readiness

The Sandisk WUS5EA176ESP5E1 7.68TB PCI Express NVMe Ultrastar DC SN650 1.4b U.3 15mm SE SSD is not just a storage device—it is an integral part of the evolving digital ecosystem. As enterprise workloads grow in scale and complexity, this SSD ensures infrastructure resilience, data consistency, and future-proof scalability. Whether implemented in large-scale data centers, high-frequency trading platforms, or distributed cloud networks, its capabilities redefine what businesses can achieve with flash-based storage.

As organizations adopt hybrid cloud strategies and AI-driven analytics, the demand for reliable, high-performance SSDs like the Ultrastar DC SN650 will continue to rise. Its performance, efficiency, and durability make it a cornerstone technology for the next generation of enterprise computing infrastructure, ensuring that data remains accessible, protected, and ready to fuel innovation at every level of operation.