345-BLWQ Dell 61.44TB Pcie Gen4 4.0 X4 Nvme U.2 SSD.

345-BLWQ Dell 61.44TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe U.2 SSD Overview

The 345-BLWQ Dell 61.44TB PCIe Gen4 4.0 x4 NVMe U.2 2.5 Inch Enterprise Class QLC 3D NAND SSD represents a breakthrough in high-capacity, high-performance enterprise storage tailored for next-generation Dell PowerEdge servers. Designed with U.2 interface compatibility, this solid-state drive leverages the latest PCIe Gen4 x4 technology to deliver lightning-fast data transfer speeds and enterprise-grade endurance. It offers unmatched storage density, reliability, and scalability for data-intensive applications in mission-critical environments such as data centers, cloud computing infrastructures, and AI workloads.

Unprecedented Storage Capacity: 61.44TB in a 2.5-Inch Form Factor

With an impressive 61.44 terabytes of storage capacity packed into a compact 2.5-inch U.2 form factor, this enterprise SSD sets new standards in storage density. It empowers organizations to consolidate workloads, reduce rack space requirements, and achieve exceptional storage efficiency. Ideal for environments where storage per square inch is critical, the 345-BLWQ Dell SSD is designed to minimize footprint without compromising on performance.

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

Compatibility is key when it comes to enterprise-grade hardware. The 345-BLWQ is engineered specifically for seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th generation servers. It supports Dell’s advanced RAID configurations, thermal management features, and firmware integration tools. Administrators can deploy this SSD with confidence, knowing that it has been rigorously tested to deliver optimal performance in supported PowerEdge platforms such as R740, R750, R760, and similar high-performance Dell servers.

High-Speed Data Throughput with PCIe Gen4 x4

Built on the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, the 345-BLWQ SSD provides significantly improved bandwidth and lower latency compared to previous PCIe generations. Users can expect:

• Sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s
• Sequential write speeds of up to 4,000 MB/s
• Reduced latency for mission-critical transactions
• Faster boot times and application load performance

These capabilities make it ideal for use cases such as real-time analytics, video editing, AI training, and virtualized environments.

Enterprise-Class QLC 3D NAND Architecture

The Quad-Level Cell (QLC) 3D NAND architecture employed in the 345-BLWQ Dell SSD allows for massive storage scalability at a lower cost-per-gigabyte than traditional MLC or TLC SSDs. By stacking memory cells vertically and storing four bits per cell, QLC NAND makes ultra-high-capacity SSDs both feasible and economical for enterprise use cases. Despite QLC's generally lower endurance compared to MLC or TLC, the 345-BLWQ is fortified with firmware-level enhancements and write-leveling algorithms that significantly extend its usable lifespan under real-world workloads.

Advanced ECC and Endurance Management

Enterprise environments demand reliability, and the 345-BLWQ delivers with comprehensive Error Correction Code (ECC) algorithms and wear-leveling technologies. These features ensure data integrity and long-term durability, even under intensive read/write operations. Coupled with power-loss protection and end-to-end data path protection, this SSD is purpose-built to meet the needs of enterprises that cannot afford downtime or data loss.

Use Cases for the 345-BLWQ Dell NVMe SSD

Data Center Consolidation and Virtualization

The 345-BLWQ SSD is ideal for virtualized server environments where multiple VMs operate simultaneously. Its high throughput and low latency contribute to enhanced VM performance, reduced I/O bottlenecks, and improved overall server efficiency. This makes it a top choice for hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) and cloud service providers looking to consolidate server footprints while maximizing storage per node.

AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data Workloads

The need for rapid data processing in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications is well-matched with the 345-BLWQ’s blazing-fast read/write speeds. It enables quicker model training, real-time inference, and seamless data ingestion from massive datasets. The large capacity also ensures local storage of entire datasets, minimizing reliance on slower network-attached or cloud storage.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Financial Modeling

Financial institutions and research organizations that run complex algorithms and simulations require high-speed storage to eliminate I/O wait times. The 345-BLWQ SSD ensures uninterrupted, fast access to modeling data, simulations, and real-time risk calculations. The PCIe Gen4 interface is particularly effective in parallel processing environments common in HPC workloads.

Media, Content Creation, and Archival Storage

For media houses and content creators managing ultra-high-resolution video files, the 345-BLWQ offers both the capacity and speed to facilitate efficient editing, transcoding, and storage. Its ability to store petabytes of raw or edited footage across fewer drives makes it a cost-effective choice for studios and post-production teams.

Form Factor and Thermal Management

U.2 2.5-Inch Standard Form Factor

Designed in the 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe form factor, the 345-BLWQ is backward compatible with most enterprise server trays and hot-swap bays. U.2 connectivity allows for easy scaling within existing infrastructure, providing high performance in a space-saving footprint. This also enables easier servicing, upgradeability, and SSD swapping in live environments.

Thermal Optimization and Operational Temperature Range

To maintain peak performance and avoid thermal throttling, the SSD includes a sophisticated thermal control architecture. With support for active and passive cooling, the 345-BLWQ can operate within an enterprise-grade temperature envelope (typically 0°C to 70°C operating range), ensuring consistent speeds under sustained loads.

Security and Firmware Features

End-to-End Data Protection

Data protection is a key feature in enterprise environments. The 345-BLWQ SSD integrates end-to-end data protection mechanisms including:

• Power-loss protection (PLP)
• Data path integrity verification
• Self-monitoring and diagnostic logging

These features ensure data remains secure and intact, even in the event of unexpected power interruptions or system failures.

Secure Firmware Management

The drive supports firmware-level secure boot mechanisms and digital signature verification to prevent unauthorized firmware tampering. Dell’s iDRAC and OpenManage tools provide comprehensive firmware lifecycle management, simplifying large-scale deployments and firmware upgrades.

SED (Self-Encrypting Drive) Capabilities

Select configurations of the 345-BLWQ may offer Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) support compliant with TCG Opal standards, ensuring that sensitive enterprise data is protected at rest with AES 256-bit encryption.

Comparative Advantages Over SATA and SAS SSDs

Unlike SATA or SAS-based SSDs, the PCIe Gen4 NVMe interface used by the 345-BLWQ offers superior speed and IOPS. SATA typically maxes out at 550 MB/s, and SAS at 1200 MB/s, while PCIe Gen4 can achieve speeds up to 7000 MB/s. This massive performance leap positions NVMe as the new standard for enterprise performance storage.

Reduced Latency and Increased IOPS

NVMe drives have significantly lower protocol overhead than SATA or SAS, allowing for faster command execution and higher Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS). This translates into dramatically improved system responsiveness and shorter data access times for enterprise applications.

Scalability and Reliability in Data Centers

In hyperscale data center environments, storage scalability and reliability are paramount. The 345-BLWQ is engineered with features such as:

• Smart health monitoring
• Predictive failure analysis
• Firmware rollback safeguards
• Support for multi-tenancy environments

This ensures data center operators can deploy the drive in large-scale environments with confidence, backed by Dell’s support and reliability.

Power Efficiency and Lower TCO

Despite its massive capacity and high performance, the SSD maintains excellent power efficiency. Its reduced power consumption per terabyte contributes to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), especially when scaled across hundreds or thousands of drives in a hyperscale environment.

Integration with Dell Management Software

Dell provides robust management and automation tools to monitor and control hardware assets, including:

• Dell iDRAC (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller)
• Dell OpenManage Enterprise
• Lifecycle Controller and OMSA

These platforms support the 345-BLWQ drive for health checks, firmware upgrades, SMART data logging, and predictive analytics — simplifying IT operations and minimizing human error.