VXTPX Dell 1TB 7.2K RPM SAS-6GBPS SFF 64MB Buffer Hard Disk Drive

VXTPX Dell Compellent 1TB 7.2K RPM SFF Overview

The VXTPX Dell Compellent 1TB 7.2K RPM 64MB Buffer SAS-6GBPS SFF with tray is a purpose-built enterprise-class 1TB SAS hard disk drive designed for use in Dell Compellent storage arrays, specifically the SCV2020 and SC4020 series. This category covers the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacements, compatible third-party equivalents, and factory-refurbished options of the 2.5" small form factor (SFF) SAS HDD that deliver reliable capacity, robust endurance, and predictable performance for mixed-workload SAN environments.

Key Features & Benefits

Enterprise-Grade Mechanical and Interface Design

The drive features a 7,200 RPM spindle speed paired with a SAS-6Gbps (Serial Attached SCSI) interface, which provides low-latency access and efficient throughput for block-storage workloads. The 64MB cache (buffer) improves read/write burst performance and helps smooth out short-term load spikes common in virtualized and multi-tenant environments.

Compact 2.5" SFF Form Factor with Tray Included

The SFF (2.5") profile enables higher drive density within Dell Compellent shelves and drawer-based enclosures. Each listing in this category typically includes the matching drive tray / carrier, ensuring direct plug-and-play compatibility with SCV2020 and SC4020 drive bays and eliminating the need to reuse trays from older drives.

Designed for Dell Compellent Storage Arrays (SCV2020 & SC4020)

Compatibility is the cornerstone of this category. Drives are verified to work with Dell Compellent SCV2020 and SC4020 series controllers and firmware. That compatibility includes power/thermal profiles and SES (SCSI Enclosure Services) reporting that the array's management software expects, which reduces drive rejection rates and eases array maintenance.

Performance Characteristics

Measured sequential throughput and typical random IOPS are workload-dependent. The combination of 7.2K RPM mechanics and the 64MB buffer favors sequential and moderate-random workloads. When compared to 10K or 15K RPM SAS drives, this 7.2K HDD provides a cost-effective balance of capacity and performance, making it suitable for capacity tiers, warm storage, and cost-conscious primary tiers where extreme latency is not required.

Compatibility

Exact Dell Compellent Models

The drives in this category are targeted for direct fit and operation in Dell Compellent arrays, especially the SCV2020 and SC4020 series. Installers should confirm that the array firmware accepts third-party or aftermarket drives (some arrays will flag or restrict unsupported drives depending on firmware policies). Where possible, use OEM-labeled or Dell-validated replacements to avoid compatibility flags.

Firmware and SES Reporting

Dell Compellent arrays rely on specific SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) and drive firmware behavior for accurate health reports, capacity mapping, and temperature/power telemetry. Drives that match expected SES descriptors and firmware revision ranges tend to integrate with minimal intervention. This category includes drives that have either OEM Dell firmware or compatible firmware that mirrors Dell's status reporting.

Use Cases

Large-Scale Capacity Expansion

Organizations that need to increase usable capacity in SCV2020 or SC4020 enclosures can deploy multiple 1TB SFF drives in dense arrays to expand tiered pools. Because these drives are SFF, more physical drives fit per shelf compared to 3.5" drives, delivering higher capacity per rack U when combined with SSD tiers for hot data.

Refurbishment & Spare Pools

This category also covers factory-refurbished and tested drives that are ideal for building spare pools. Maintain a pool of pre-configured, tray-included spares to reduce array downtime during drive replacements.

VXTPX Dell Compellent 1TB SAS HDD Compares

Compared to 3.5" NL-SAS 1TB Drives

2.5" SFF drives typically offer denser packaging and often lower latency due to reduced rotational inertia despite similar capacities. However, 3.5" drives sometimes provide higher capacity options per disk; choose SFF for density-oriented Compellent shelves.

Compared to SSDs and Hybrid Deployments

SSDs provide drastically higher IOPS and lower latency but at a significantly higher cost per GB. The VXTPX 1TB 7.2K SAS drive is ideal for capacity tiers where cost-per-GB is the priority while SSDs or 10K/15K SAS drives serve hot or latency-sensitive tiers.