NVMe server SSDs are drives for servers and workstations that need fast data access: databases, virtualisation, caching and heavy file workloads. Our range has over 150 models, mostly in U.2 and 2.5-inch form factors with PCI Express 4.0 and 5.0 interfaces. Leading brands include KIOXIA, SAMSUNG, Micron, Western Digital and Solidigm.
How to choose an NVMe server SSD
Interface and form factor. Most server NVMe drives are U.2 or 2.5-inch and fit into front drive bays, so first check which connectors your server backplane provides. Our range includes PCI Express 5.0 and 4.0 drives, with just one PCI Express 3.0 model and one M.2 model. A PCIe 5.0 drive will also work in an older slot, but the server then limits its speed.
Capacity. Drives range from 800 GB and 960 GB up to 15 TB, and 1.92, 3.84 and 7.68 TB are the capacities that appear most often. An array of several smaller drives often gives more parallelism and better fault tolerance than one large drive, so think about your RAID layout before settling on a size.
Performance. Sequential read speeds in our range run from 4500 to 14000 MB/s, and random 4 KB read figures span from 1 million to 3.3 million IOPS. Databases and virtual machines depend more on IOPS and low latency, while large files and backups benefit from sequential speeds. Check the write figures too, as they are noticeably lower than the read speeds.
Endurance and protection. Server drive endurance is rated in TBW or DWPD. Read-intensive models suit caching and content storage, while mixed-use models cope better with constant writes. Most enterprise drives include power-loss protection, but confirm it in the manufacturer's specification.
Brands we carry
- KIOXIA: the former Toshiba memory business, makes its own NAND flash and has the largest number of models in our range.
- SAMSUNG: produces both the flash memory and the controllers in its drives, and offers dedicated datacentre lines.
- Micron: one of the few companies that manufactures both NAND and DRAM memory in its own fabs.
- Western Digital: known for the Ultrastar datacentre drive family inherited from HGST.
- Solidigm: formed when Intel's NAND and SSD business was taken over, so it continues many Intel datacentre drive designs.
- HP Enterprise, Lenovo: drives branded by server makers for their own systems, useful when validated compatibility matters.
Also in our range: SanDisk, GOODRAM, HP, Kingston and SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR (SAMSUNG products).
Frequently asked questions
How does an NVMe server SSD differ from a regular PC SSD?
An NVMe server SSD is built for continuous heavy workloads, so its endurance, stability and consistency of latency are usually better than a consumer drive's. Many have power-loss protection and come in the U.2 format, which suits swapping drives in a server without shutting it down.
Can a U.2 drive be used in an ordinary PC?
Yes, but only if the motherboard has a U.2 connector or you use an adapter from an M.2 or PCIe slot. You also need to plan cooling and power, as server drives expect strong airflow.
Is PCIe 5.0 worth choosing over PCIe 4.0?
PCIe 5.0 is worth it when the server supports the standard and the workload can use the extra bandwidth. In our range PCIe 5.0 drives reach read speeds of up to 14000 MB/s, while PCIe 4.0 drives often sit at around 7000 MB/s. For many database and virtualisation tasks, PCIe 4.0 is already enough.
What capacity of NVMe server SSD should I choose?
Choose capacity based on your actual data volume, leaving a sizeable margin of free space for growth. In our range 1.92, 3.84 and 7.68 TB drives are the most common, and 15 TB models are available for larger storage needs.
