KIOXIA, Dell Unveil High-Capacity SSDs for AI-Scale Workloads

KIOXIA has introduced a new class of high-capacity, high-efficiency storage solutions in collaboration with Dell Technologies, targeting the performance and sustainability requirements of AI-scale workloads. The joint effort leverages KIOXIA’s LC9 Series 245.76-terabyte NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) to equip Dell systems with the ability to manage multi-petabyte datasets while modernizing infrastructure for generative AI and machine learning applications.

The LC9 Series delivers PCIe 5.0 performance in high-density form factors, including 2.5-inch, E3.S, and E3.L, offering up to 245.76 TB of flash-based storage per drive. This capacity represents a potential replacement for numerous traditional hard disk drives, which can be limited in speed, less power-efficient, and more costly to operate. By consolidating storage into fewer, higher-capacity SSDs, organizations can improve GPU utilization, free up drive bays, and reduce cooling requirements – translating into lower power consumption and a reduced data center footprint.

Dell Technologies Senior Vice President of Compute and Networking Arun Narayanan said the collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between the companies. He highlighted that pairing the LC9 Series with Dell PowerEdge servers delivers a high-capacity, power-efficient solution designed to handle advanced AI workloads, while helping optimize total cost of ownership and data center space.

The LC9 Series is built with KIOXIA’s eighth-generation BiCS FLASH 3D flash memory, incorporating 32-die QLC stacking and CMOS directly Bonded to Array (CBA) technology. This engineering enables compact, large-capacity SSDs suited to the demands of AI infrastructure – from training large language models to supporting inference pipelines such as retrieval augmented generation.

Neville Ichhaporia, Senior Vice President and General Manager of KIOXIA America’s SSD business unit, said enterprises are pushing the limits of their infrastructure to remain competitive in the AI era. He noted that the LC9 Series addresses storage bottlenecks, increases rack density, and enables sustainable, scalable systems that maximize GPU performance and power efficiency.