345-BHRT Dell 3.84TB PCIe NVMe U.2 SFF RI SSD

Specification of Dell 345-BHRT Enterprise-Class SSD

• Manufacturer: Dell
• Model Identifier: 345-BHRT
• Drive Category: High-performance Solid State Drive

Advanced Storage Specifications

• Total Capacity: 3.84 Terabytes
• Interface Protocol: PCIe Gen4 NVMe
• Drive Format: U.2
• Flash Architecture: Triple-Level Cell (TLC) 3D NAND

Flash Memory Technology

• Memory Type: TLC NAND Flash
• Layered NAND Structure: 3D Lithography for enhanced density
• Optimized for endurance and sustained throughput

Connectivity & Performance

• Interface Standard: PCI Express 4.0
• NVMe Protocol: Accelerated data access with reduced latency
• Form Factor: U.2 for enterprise-grade compatibility

Server Compatibility Matrix

• PowerEdge C-Series: C6420, C6525, C6620
• PowerEdge R-Series: R440, R640, R6415, R650, R650xs, R6515, R6525
• Next-Gen R-Series: R660, R660xs, R6615, R6625, R670
• High-Density R-Series: R740xd, R7415, R7425
• Performance R-Series: R750, R750xa, R7515, R7525
• Latest R-Series: R760, R760xa, R760xd2, R7615, R7625, R770
• Mission-Critical R-Series: R840, R940, R940xa, R960
• Tower Servers: T550, T560
• Accelerated Compute: XE8640, XE9640, XE9680
• Edge-Optimized: XR7620

Key Benefits for Enterprise Deployments

• Massive 3.84TB capacity for data-intensive workloads
• PCIe 4.0 interface ensures rapid data transfer rates
• NVMe protocol minimizes bottlenecks and boosts IOPS
• U.2 form factor integrates seamlessly into Dell PowerEdge infrastructure
• 3D TLC NAND delivers balanced performance and durability

Optimized for Dell PowerEdge Ecosystem

• Validated across multiple PowerEdge generations
• Ideal for virtualization, database acceleration, and cloud-scale deployments
• Supports mixed-use environments with consistent throughput

Reliability & Endurance

• Engineered for 24/7 enterprise workloads
• Thermal management and power loss protection features
• Long lifecycle NAND for reduced maintenance cycles

Deployment Scenarios

• Data center storage expansion
• High-speed caching layers
• Mission-critical application hosting
• Virtual machine storage backends

345-BHRT Dell 3.84TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe U.2 2.5-Inch Read Intensive SSD Overview

The Dell 345-BHRT 3.84TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe U.2 SSD is a high-capacity, enterprise-grade solid-state drive engineered for read-intensive workloads. Designed to meet the demands of modern data centers, this SSD leverages the PCIe Gen4 interface and NVMe protocol to deliver exceptional throughput, low latency, and consistent performance. Its U.2 2.5-inch form factor ensures compatibility with a wide range of Dell PowerEdge servers and storage arrays, making it a versatile solution for scalable infrastructure.

Key Features of the Dell 345-BHRT NVMe SSD

• Massive 3.84TB storage capacity optimized for read-heavy applications
• PCIe Gen4 x4 interface for double the bandwidth of Gen3 SSDs
• NVMe protocol for reduced latency and improved IOPS
• U.2 2.5-inch form factor for hot-swap compatibility in enterprise servers
• Advanced error correction and end-to-end data protection
• Power loss protection and thermal throttling safeguards

Performance Characteristics

Read-Intensive Workload Optimization

This SSD is classified as "Read Intensive," meaning it is optimized for environments where data is read far more frequently than written. Ideal for boot volumes, media streaming, web hosting, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), the 345-BHRT delivers high sequential read speeds and consistent random read IOPS. Its endurance rating is tailored to support thousands of daily read cycles while maintaining data integrity and reliability.

Sequential and Random Read Performance

With PCIe Gen4 bandwidth, the 345-BHRT achieves sequential read speeds exceeding 7,000 MB/s and random read IOPS in the hundreds of thousands. This level of performance significantly reduces application load times, accelerates database queries, and enhances virtual machine responsiveness.

Latency and Throughput

NVMe architecture minimizes latency by eliminating legacy SATA bottlenecks. The drive’s controller and firmware are optimized for parallel command execution, ensuring ultra-low latency and high throughput even under heavy load conditions.

Interface and Form Factor

PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface

The PCIe Gen4 interface offers up to 16 GT/s per lane, doubling the bandwidth compared to PCIe Gen3. This translates to faster data access, reduced wait times, and improved overall system efficiency. The x4 lane configuration ensures balanced performance across multiple cores and threads.

U.2 2.5-Inch Form Factor

The U.2 interface allows for hot-swappable deployment in enterprise chassis. Its 2.5-inch form factor is compatible with Dell PowerEdge servers equipped with U.2 backplanes, enabling seamless integration into existing infrastructure. The form factor also supports better thermal dissipation and mechanical stability.

Compatibility and Integration

Certified for Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 345-BHRT SSD is fully certified for use in Dell PowerEdge platforms, including R650, R750, R7525, and other Gen14/Gen15 models. Dell firmware ensures optimal performance, compatibility, and support for RAID configurations and lifecycle management tools.

Hot-Swap and RAID Support

Thanks to its U.2 interface, the drive supports hot-swap functionality, allowing for non-disruptive replacement and upgrades. It is compatible with Dell PERC RAID controllers, enabling flexible RAID configurations such as RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 for redundancy and performance tuning.

Endurance and Reliability

Read-Intensive Endurance Rating

The 345-BHRT is rated for up to 1 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) over a 5-year warranty period, translating to approximately 7,000 TBW (Terabytes Written). This endurance is ideal for read-centric workloads where write operations are minimal but reliability is paramount.

Advanced NAND Flash Technology

Built with high-quality 3D TLC NAND, the SSD balances cost-efficiency with performance. The NAND architecture supports wear-leveling, bad block management, and error correction to extend drive lifespan and maintain consistent performance.

Power Loss Protection

Integrated capacitors provide power loss protection, ensuring that in-flight data is safely written to NAND in the event of unexpected shutdowns. This feature is critical for maintaining data integrity in mission-critical environments.

Security and Data Protection

End-to-End Data Path Protection

The SSD includes end-to-end data path protection, which verifies data integrity from the host to the NAND and back. This reduces the risk of silent data corruption and ensures accurate data retrieval.

Secure Erase and Sanitization

The 345-BHRT supports secure erase commands compliant with NIST standards, allowing for complete data sanitization before decommissioning or repurposing. This is essential for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data.

Thermal Management and Power Efficiency

Dynamic Thermal Throttling

To prevent overheating, the SSD employs dynamic thermal throttling mechanisms that adjust performance based on temperature thresholds. This ensures sustained operation without compromising reliability.

Low Power Consumption

Despite its high performance, the drive maintains low active and idle power consumption, contributing to overall energy efficiency in data center environments. This helps reduce cooling requirements and operational costs.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

The 345-BHRT excels in VDI environments where rapid boot times and high read throughput are essential. It supports hundreds of virtual desktops with minimal latency, improving user experience and system responsiveness.

Media Streaming and Content Delivery

For media-rich applications, this SSD ensures fast access to large files and uninterrupted streaming. Its high sequential read speeds make it ideal for content delivery networks (CDNs) and media servers.

Web Hosting and Cloud Applications

In cloud-native and web hosting scenarios, the drive supports fast page loads, quick database queries, and reliable uptime. Its read-intensive optimization aligns perfectly with the demands of SaaS and PaaS platforms.

Comparison with Other Dell NVMe SSDs

Versus Write-Intensive Models

Unlike write-intensive SSDs such as the Dell 345-BHRX, the 345-BHRT prioritizes read performance and endurance efficiency. While write-intensive models offer higher DWPD ratings, they come at a higher cost and are better suited for transactional databases and logging systems.

Versus Mixed-Use SSDs

Mixed-use SSDs balance read and write workloads but may not achieve the same peak read performance as the 345-BHRT. For environments with predictable read-heavy patterns, the 345-BHRT offers superior cost-to-performance ratio.