Dell 345-BLCP 240GB SATA 6GB/s M.2 Enterprise Class 64-layer TLC SSD

Overview of Dell 345-BLCP 240GB SATA 6GBPS SSD

The Dell 345-BLCP 240GB SATA 6Gbps M.2 2280 Solid State Drive represents a next-generation storage innovation designed for Dell PowerEdge servers. Engineered with enterprise-class endurance, reliability, and performance, this SSD delivers rapid data access, low latency, and efficient throughput for read-intensive and mixed workloads. Featuring advanced 64-layer Triple Level Cell (TLC) 3D NAND flash technology, it ensures stable, consistent performance even under heavy server operations.

Key Highlights  

• Manufacturer: Dell
• Part Number: 345-BLCP
• Product Type: Internal SSD

Technical Specification

• Storage Capacity: 240GB
• Drive Type: Enterprise-Class Internal SSD
• Flash Type: 64-layer TLC 3D NAND
• Interface: SATA III (6Gbps)
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Key Interface: B+M Key

Key Advantages

• Enhanced endurance for continuous data workloads
• Efficient 3D NAND design improving stability and thermal performance
• Reduced latency during intensive read/write cycles
• Optimized bandwidth for enterprise applications
• Reliable data retention under consistent operational loads

Built for Continuous Uptime

• Designed for 24/7 operational reliability in enterprise data centers
• Lower power consumption than traditional HDDs
• Minimized thermal footprint for improved system cooling
• Stable performance under varying workloads

Performance and Efficiency  

• Quick system startup and reduced boot times
• Improved I/O operations for database and virtualization workloads
• Reliable transfer speeds under heavy usage
• Energy-efficient operation for reduced data center costs
• Balanced performance for read-heavy and mixed-use environments

Compatibility and Integration Benefits

• Plug-and-play M.2 interface for fast deployment
• Seamless integration with Dell server infrastructure
• Reduced maintenance due to durable NAND architecture
• Scalable storage for future data growth

Energy-Saving Benefits

• Lower power usage compared to HDDs
• Reduced data center cooling requirements
• Optimized for sustained efficiency during 24/7 operation
• Minimized environmental footprint

TLC matters

3D TLC NAND: density and cost efficiency

The 64-layer TLC 3D NAND used in the 345-BLCP balances storage density and cost. TLC stores three bits per memory cell, which increases capacity per die and lowers cost per GB compared with SLC/MLC options. The 3D (stacked) architecture further increases density and improves endurance characteristics per dollar compared to older planar NAND generations. For enterprise deployments where capacity and price point are key — especially for boot and read-mostly workloads — a 64-layer TLC SSD is often the most pragmatic choice.

Enterprise-class firmware and validation

OEM Dell drives typically ship with controller and firmware tuned for server use — power-loss protections, enterprise-level wear-leveling and SMART telemetry integration — which helps them behave predictably in automated server environments and during system-wide firmware and OS updates. Using a Dell-labeled drive also preserves OEM support paths and firmware compatibility for integrated management tools. 

Compatibility & BOSS card integration

What "for BOSS Card" means

The phrase “for BOSS Card” indicates the drive is intended to be installed in Dell's BOSS (Boot Optimized Storage Solution) controller, a small RAID or software-managed storage adapter that accepts two M.2 SATA modules to provide mirrored boot devices or other optimized OS boot topologies. The 345-BLCP is marketed specifically as the M.2 SATA option that pairs with that Dell hardware.  

Dell-provided compatibility  

Dell’s official BOSS documentation notes that certain BOSS controllers are tested and validated only with the M.2 drives shipped with the controller. While many users have successfully run third-party M.2 SATA drives on BOSS cards, the vendor caution is important for production environments: if you need supported, certified hardware to preserve Dell support, use the drives Dell specifies. For customization or lab use, other SATA M.2 modules may work, but Dell support may be limited.  

Where the Dell 345-BLCP excels

Although SATA M.2 does not match NVMe’s peak throughput or low-latency characteristics, an enterprise SATA M.2 drive such as the 345-BLCP still delivers significantly better response times and random I/O performance compared with mechanical boot volumes. Typical deployments include:

Performance tuning tips

1. Enable the AHCI / SATA controller mode expected by the BOSS card and OS — mismatches can degrade performance.
2. Keep overprovisioning in mind: leave a small percentage of the drive free for internal controller operations (e.g., 5–10%).
3. Use vendor firmware updates where available — Dell-supplied firmware is tuned to the server’s thermal and I/O profile.
4. Monitor SMART attributes and drive health through Dell OpenManage or other enterprise monitoring tooling to spot wear or degraded performance early.

Enterprise expectations

Enterprise-class SSDs are designed around predictable behavior over lifetime: consistent performance under sustained workloads, firmware features to handle power events gracefully, and SMART information to give administrators advance warning of problems. While TLC-based parts have lower raw endurance than SLC/MLC alternatives, enterprise firmware, over-provisioning and conservative write amplification control can produce lifetime behavior adequate for boot and read-focused workloads typical of BOSS card usage. 

Security & data protection

Data integrity features

Enterprise SSDs typically include features such as power-loss protection (PLP) logic, robust ECC, and secure erase support. While specific hardware-level protections vary by vendor and model, the Dell 345-BLCP is marketed as an enterprise component, so expect firmware features that prioritize data integrity in server environments. Always validate the presence of any required cryptographic erase or encryption features prior to relying on them for compliance workloads.

Encryption & secure erase

If encryption-at-rest is required in your environment, determine whether the drive supports TCG Opal or controller-based encryption; otherwise, implement host-side encryption using your OS or management tools. For secure decommissioning, use vendor-recommended secure erase workflows and document the process to meet audit requirements.

OEM vs. third-party drives

OEM Dell modules such as the 345-BLCP are convenient because they often ship with Dell-specific firmware signatures and are cataloged for support. Third-party M.2 SATA modules may function identically in practice but could lack compatibility guarantees; if you operate under strict support SLAs, OEM drives reduce the risk of unsupported configurations.  

Comparison and alternatives

SATA M.2 vs NVMe M.2

The 345-BLCP is a SATA-based M.2 drive. SATA M.2 is generally limited to ≈600 MB/s theoretical throughput due to the SATA interface; NVMe (PCIe) drives offer several times higher throughput and much lower latency. Choose SATA where budget and OEM compatibility matter more than raw throughput — for example, boot volumes and low-to-moderate I/O system partitions — and NVMe when high transaction rates or data-plane throughput are required.