MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 Samsung PM9A3 PCI-E 4.0 X4 U.2 Read Intensive 1.92TB SSD

Samsung PM9A3 Enterprise U.2 NVMe SSD

The Samsung MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 PM9A3 represents the pinnacle of enterprise-grade storage technology, engineered specifically for data center environments requiring exceptional performance, reliability, and power efficiency. This 1.92TB U.2 form factor SSD leverages the PCI Express 4.0 x4 interface to deliver unprecedented read/write speeds that significantly outperform previous generation SATA and SAS solutions. Designed as a read-intensive drive, it excels in scenarios where fast data access and retrieval are paramount, making it an ideal solution for server boot drives, database caching, content delivery networks, and virtualized environments.

High Performance

Operating within the MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 NVMe 1.4 specification framework, the PM9A3 achieves remarkable sequential read speeds of up to 6,900 MB/s and sequential write speeds reaching 2,000 MB/s. Its random performance is equally impressive, capable of handling up to 900,000 IOPS for read operations and 160,000 IOPS for write operations. These performance metrics ensure that storage is never the bottleneck in high-demand enterprise applications, enabling faster processing of transactions, quicker response times for users, and improved overall efficiency for data-intensive workloads.

Key Specifications

Form Factor

The drive utilizes the U.2 (2.5-inch) form factor with a 15mm z-height, making it compatible with standard enterprise server bays and storage enclosures. This industry-standard form factor ensures easy integration into existing data center infrastructure without requiring specialized hardware or adapters. The physical dimensions are precisely engineered to meet enterprise requirements for density and thermal management.

Interface and Protocol Compatibility

Utilizing a PCI Express 4.0 x4 interface, the PM9A3 doubles the bandwidth available compared to PCIe 3.0 solutions. This interface operates through the NVMe 1.4 protocol, which includes enhancements for enterprise environments such as improved queueing mechanisms, better power management, and advanced error reporting. The drive maintains backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0 systems, though at reduced performance levels commensurate with the older interface's capabilities.

U.2 Connector Pinout and Signaling

The U.2 connector provides four PCIe lanes, SMBus for management, and additional pins for power delivery and drive activity indication. This standardized connector ensures reliable electrical connectivity while supporting hot-plug capabilities essential for enterprise maintenance and upgrades without system downtime.

Capacity and NAND Flash Technology

With a formatted capacity of 1.92TB, the PM9A3 utilizes Samsung's sixth-generation V-NAND (3D NAND) technology with a TLC (Triple-Level Cell) architecture. This advanced NAND design provides an optimal balance between storage density, performance, and endurance. The MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 1.92TB capacity point is specifically engineered for enterprise workloads, offering sufficient space for operating systems, applications, and frequently accessed data while maintaining consistent performance throughout the drive's lifespan.

Over-Provisioning and Spare Area

The drive features intelligent over-provisioning that allocates additional NAND capacity beyond the advertised 1.92TB to enhance performance consistency and extend the drive's operational life. This spare area assists with wear leveling, garbage collection, and bad block management, ensuring that the drive maintains its performance characteristics even under sustained write workloads.

Performance Specifications in Detail

Sequential Read and Write Performance

The MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 PM9A3 achieves sequential read performance of up to 6,900 MB/s, enabling rapid access to large files, databases, and multimedia content. Sequential write performance reaches 2,000 MB/s, facilitating efficient data ingestion, backup operations, and content creation workflows. These speeds represent a significant improvement over SATA SSDs (typically limited to 550 MB/s) and previous generation NVMe drives, substantially reducing data transfer times and improving overall system responsiveness.

Random I/O Performance Metrics

For random operations, which are critical for database applications and virtualized environments, the drive delivers up to 900,000 random read IOPS and 160,000 random write IOPS at queue depths optimized for enterprise workloads. This high IOPS capability ensures that the storage subsystem can handle numerous simultaneous requests without creating bottlenecks, supporting more users and applications per server.

Latency Characteristics

The drive exhibits exceptionally low latency for both read and write operations, typically measuring under 100 microseconds for reads and under 15 microseconds for writes. This low latency is crucial for applications requiring immediate data access, such as financial trading systems, real-time analytics, and high-frequency transaction processing.

Advanced Data Protection Features

The drive incorporates multiple layers of data protection, including end-to-end data path protection, power-loss protection with integrated capacitors, and advanced error correction codes (ECC). These features work together to prevent data corruption during transfers, maintain data integrity during unexpected power loss, and correct bit errors that naturally occur during NAND flash operation.

Power-Loss Protection Mechanism

Integrated tantalum capacitors provide sufficient hold-up time during power loss events to complete in-progress writes and flush volatile cache data to non-volatile NAND memory. This power-loss protection ensures data consistency and prevents corruption, even during unexpected power interruptions common in data center environments.

Power Efficiency

Active and Idle Power Consumption

The MZQL21T9HCJR-00AD3 PM9A3 is engineered for power efficiency, consuming approximately 7-9 watts during active operation and less than 5 watts during idle states. This efficient power profile helps reduce overall data center energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining high performance levels. The drive supports multiple power states as defined in the NVMe specification, allowing it to dynamically adjust power consumption based on workload demands.

Power Management States

The drive implements NVMe power states, including operational states (PS0) through various lower power states (PS1-PS4), allowing the system to balance performance requirements with power savings. These states can be managed by the host system based on workload patterns, optimizing energy usage without compromising performance when needed.

NVMe Management Interface

The drive supports the NVMe-MI (Management Interface) over SMBus, enabling out-of-band management independent of the host operating system. This capability allows remote monitoring and management through baseboard management controllers (BMCs), facilitating integration into large-scale data center management frameworks.

Security Features and Encryption

To protect sensitive data, the PM9A3 includes hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1667 standards. This encryption occurs in real-time at the hardware level with minimal performance impact, ensuring data security without compromising speed. The drive supports secure erase commands that quickly and securely render all data unrecoverable when redeploying or retiring the drive.

Workload Optimization and Use Cases

Read-Intensive Workload Characteristics

As a read-optimized drive, the PM9A3 excels in applications where read operations significantly outnumber write operations. Typical read/write ratios for supported workloads range from 70/30 to 90/10, making it ideal for scenarios where data is frequently accessed but updated less frequently. This optimization allows Samsung to deliver higher performance and endurance at a more competitive price point compared to mixed-use or write-intensive alternatives.

Database Caching and Indexing

In database applications, the drive can serve as a high-performance tier for frequently accessed data, indexes, and transaction logs. The low latency and high IOPS capabilities accelerate query response times and improve overall database performance, particularly for read-heavy operations such as reporting, analytics, and content retrieval.

Virtualization and Cloud Applications

For virtualized environments, the PM9A3 provides the consistent performance required to support multiple virtual machines concurrently. Its high IOPS capability ensures that storage I/O remains responsive even when numerous VMs are competing for resources, improving virtual machine density per host and enhancing the user experience for cloud-based applications.

Server and Storage System Compatibility

The U.2 form factor and standard NVMe protocol ensure broad compatibility with enterprise servers and storage systems from major manufacturers including Dell, HPE, Cisco, Supermicro, and others. System compatibility should be verified with specific server manufacturers, though most modern enterprise platforms with U.2 bays support this drive either natively or with minimal configuration.