lipflip – Kioxia has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its LC9 Series: a 245.76TB NVMe SSD, setting a new industry record for capacity. The drive is available in both 2.5-inch U.2 and EDSFF E3.L form factors, doubling the previous series maximum of 122.88TB. This launch positions Kioxia at the forefront of high-density storage solutions optimized for next-generation workloads.
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This storage innovation specifically targets data centers supporting large-scale AI training, vector databases, and retrieval-augmented generation. These workloads require high-capacity storage that can move large data sets efficiently. Kioxia designed the LC9 to minimize data transfer delays, ensuring optimal GPU utilization during intensive computational tasks.
Kioxia uses 32 stacked 2 Tbit BiCS FLASH QLC dies to power this breakthrough. The company builds them with its CMOS-direct-bonded-to-array (CBA) technology, integrating 8TB of storage into a single NAND package—marking an industry first. This approach significantly boosts density while preserving performance and reliability.
The SSD is powered by a PCIe 5.0 x4 dual-port NVMe 2.0 controller. It achieves sequential read speeds up to 12 GB/s and write speeds up to 3 GB/s. Kioxia balanced thermal and signal integrity challenges that come with high-density drives, particularly at this capacity.
Performance, Reliability, and Availability Details for Kioxia LC9 Series
The LC9 delivers strong random performance with 1.3 million IOPS for reads and 50,000 IOPS for writes. Its endurance rating sits at 0.3 drive writes per day (DWPD), which aligns with typical hyperscale use cases where high capacity and moderate write intensity dominate.
Reliability is enhanced with multiple safeguards. These include die-level data recovery, parity-based error correction, and robust power-loss protection. The drive also features Flexible Data Placement, a technology that reduces write amplification and improves drive longevity under real-world loads.
Kioxia’s advancements go beyond just capacity. The combination of PCIe 5.0, dual-port capability, and innovative NAND packaging make the LC9 a future-ready solution for enterprise environments. It addresses both performance and physical density demands in modern data centers.
Kioxia is currently sampling the 245.76TB LC9 with select strategic partners. The company expects to offer volume availability in several form factors: U.2 and E3.S variants will support up to 122.88TB, while the E3.L format will provide the full 245.76TB capacity. Kioxia will formally present these models at the Future of Memory and Storage conference in August 2025.
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With this release, Kioxia sets a new benchmark for solid-state storage and reinforces its position as a leader in enterprise flash memory. The LC9 Series reflects a strategic shift toward supporting the massive data throughput needs of AI, analytics, and cloud-scale infrastructures.