Data Center SSD Market

Market Overview

The global data center SSD market size was valued at USD 37.24 billion in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 133.07 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period (2024–2032). The growth of the global data center SSD market has been driven by the huge amount of data generated owing to the rapid proliferation of the internet and smartphones in recent years. Moreover, the primary stakeholders in this market are developing innovative and more efficient data center SSDs, which are estimated to create opportunities for global market growth.

A Data Center SSD (Solid State Drive) is a storage device specifically designed for use in data centers, offering high performance, reliability, and endurance. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs utilize flash memory to store data, resulting in faster data access and transfer speeds. Data Center SSDs typically feature advanced technologies such as wear leveling, error correction, and power loss protection to ensure data integrity and prevent loss. These drives are optimized for heavy workloads and constant usage, making them ideal for cloud computing, big data analytics, and virtualization applications. With their superior speed and durability, Data Center SSDs enhance overall system performance and contribute to the efficiency and reliability of data center operations.

Highlights

• PCIe dominates the type segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Data Center SSD Market Drivers

Exponential Data Growth

The exponential growth of digital data, driven by factors such as the rapid Internet growth and smartphones leading to the growth of IoT devices, social media, and e-commerce applications, is a primary driver for the Data Center SSD market. The Cisco Annual Internet Report predicts that by 2023, the global internet user base will reach 5.3 billion, constituting 66% of the world's population. This represents a rise from the 3.9 billion users that made up 51% of the world's population in 2018. This is anticipated to lead to an increased volume of data produced, indicating a favorable outlook in the science platform market.

As organizations accumulate enormous amounts of data, traditional storage solutions struggle to keep pace with the demand for faster access and processing. SSDs offer higher storage densities and faster data access than HDDs, making them indispensable for handling the immense volumes of data generated and stored in modern data centers. This data explosion necessitates storage solutions that efficiently manage the ever-increasing data loads while maintaining optimal performance and reliability, positioning SSDs as a critical component in addressing the storage needs of data-intensive applications.

Global Data Center SSD Market Restraint

Capacity Limitations 

Capacity limitations in the data center SSD market refer to the comparatively lower storage capacities offered by SSDs than traditional HDDs. Despite their superior performance, SSDs often provide less storage space per unit of cost. This constraint becomes particularly pronounced in data centers requiring vast storage capacities at economical rates.

While SSD capacities have increased over time, they may not match the scale required by some data-intensive applications or organizations with stringent budgetary constraints. As a result, data center operators may face challenges in fully transitioning to SSD-based storage solutions, opting instead for a hybrid approach or relying on HDDs for bulk storage needs, which can impact overall performance and operational efficiency. This is expected to restrict the market growth.

Global Data Center SSD Market Opportunities

Launch of Novel Digital Forensic Solutions

The key players in this industry are introducing new data center SSDs with enhanced features. For instance, in August 2023, Kioxia Corporation, a global leader in memory solutions, introduced the KIOXIA CD8P Series to its collection of solid-state drives (SSDs) designed specifically for data centers. The KIOXIA CD8P Series is ideal for server and cloud scenarios that can benefit from the high-performance capabilities of PCIe® 5.0 (32GT/s x4). In data centers open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the apps for data centers can offer complex mixed workloads dispersed over large virtualized systems.

Furthermore, in May 2023, Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory subsidiary of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a global pioneer in memory products and technology solutions, unveiled the DC600M Enterprise SSD specifically designed for data centers. The DC600M is specifically designed to handle mixed-use workloads and offers exceptional Quality of Service (QoS) to guarantee consistent latency and IOPS performance, meeting Service-level agreements. Thus, these factors present opportunities for market expansion.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global data center SSD market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America is the most significant global data center SSD market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The increasing demand for faster data processing and storage solutions in data centers, driven by the proliferation of data-intensive applications such as AI, big data analytics, and cloud computing, is fueling the adoption of SSDs in this region. These applications require high-performance storage solutions to handle large volumes of data with low latency, making SSDs an attractive option due to their faster read and write speeds than traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives).

Moreover, major tech-giant companies like Micron Technology, Inc., Intel Corporation, Dell Technologies, IBM, etc., are introducing new SSDs with enhanced capacity for data centers. For instance, in July 2023, Solidigm, a prominent global supplier of innovative NAND flash memory solutions, is pleased to introduce the Solidigm™ D5-P5336, a groundbreaking quad-level cell (QLC) solid-state storage drive (SSD) designed specifically for data centers. The Solidigm D5-P5336 is available in capacities ranging from 7.68TB to 61.44TB. It allows storing up to 6 times more data in the same space than an array consisting solely of hard disk drives (HDD).

Similarly, Micron Technology, Inc. emphasizes its commitment to the data center by launching the 7400 PCIe Gen 4 family of SSDs in October 2021. Customers can choose from various form factors, such as U.3, E1.S, and M.2, with storage capacities ranging from 400 GB to 7.6 TB. The new Solid State Drives (SSDs) are available in two endurance ratings: 1 Drive write per Day (DWPD) or 3 DWPD. Consequently, all these factors are estimated to augment the regional market growth.

Europe is expected to expand significantly due to the introduction of new data center SSDs in the region. For instance, in August 2023, Swissbit introduced its newest PCIe SSD, specifically engineered for use in data centers. The D1200 SSD is specifically designed to meet the performance requirements of demanding applications like databases, cloud computing, media streaming, and artificial intelligence (AI). This product offers exceptional speed, dependability, and an extensive range of NVMe features, including advanced security mechanisms for high-demand cloud applications. In contrast to current standard data center SSDs, which are susceptible to substantial performance deterioration, the D1200 provides the utmost continuous system performance throughout its lifespan. Such factors are anticipated to expedite the market expansion.

Segmental Analysis

The global data center SSD market is bifurcated into type, form factor, technology, storage, and end-user.

Based on type, the global data center SSD market is bifurcated into SATA, SAS, and PCIe. 

The PCIe segment dominates the global market. PCIe SSD stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express Solid-State Drive. It's a storage device that uses the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) interface to connect to a computer's motherboard. Unlike traditional SATA SSDs, PCIe SSDs offer faster data transfer speeds due to the high-bandwidth PCIe interface, making them ideal for high-performance storage applications, such as gaming, multimedia editing, and data center operations.

PCIe SSDs typically come in the form of expansion cards or M.2 drives, offering varying capacities and form factors to suit different system requirements. Thus, PCIe SSDs significantly improve read and write speeds compared to traditional hard disk drives and SATA SSDs, enhancing overall system performance and responsiveness.

Based on form factor, the global data center SSD market is bifurcated into 1.8”/2.5”, 3.5”, M.2, U.2 (SFF 8639), and FHHL and HHHL.

A 1.8"/2.5" form factor Data Center SSD refers to a solid-state drive (SSD) designed for use in data centers and enterprise environments, characterized by its physical size and shape. The dimensions, either 1.8 inches or 2.5 inches, indicate the width of the drive, with the latter being more common. These SSDs offer high-speed data storage and retrieval, enhancing server performance and reducing latency. Their small size makes effective use of the available space in server racks.

Based on technology, the global data center SSD market is bifurcated into SLC, MLC Planar, MLC 3D, TLC Planar, and TLC 3D.

MLC Planar technology is the Multi-Level Cell (MLC) architecture used to produce NAND flash memory chips. Unlike Single-Level Cell (SLC) memory, which stores one bit per cell, MLC doubles the storage capacity by storing two bits per cell. Planar technology refers to the traditional two-dimensional arrangement of memory cells on a silicon wafer. In MLC Planar technology, each memory cell is arranged in a grid-like structure, allowing for higher data density and lower production costs than SLC. However, MLC Planar technology performs slower and less endurance than other NAND flash architectures like 3D NAND.

Based on storage, the global data center SSD market is bifurcated into under 500 GB, 500 GB–1 TB, 1 TB – 2 TB, and above 2 TB.

Beyond 2TB data center SSDs, the storage landscape continues to evolve with larger capacities and enhanced performance. These high-capacity SSDs, often ranging from 4TB to 16TB or even higher, offer unparalleled storage densities while maintaining low latency and high throughput, crucial for handling massive datasets efficiently. Moreover, the market players are introducing new products in this segment, thereby driving the market growth.

For instance, in August 2023, Samsung's semiconductor business unveiled a 256TB SSD at the Flash Memory Summit (FMS) 2023. The firm asserts that this SSD consumes up to seven times less power than a configuration of eight 32TB SSDs connected in a stack. The SSD utilizes QLC technology and, as Samsung has stated, boasts an exceptional degree of integrated density. The upcoming drives will target hyper-scale data centers and companies.

Based on end-users, the global data center SSD market is divided into enterprise, industrial, automotive, and others.

Data center SSDs (Solid State Drives) are integral in enterprise environments for their speed, reliability, and efficiency. They offer rapid data access and low latency, which are critical for handling vast volumes of information in real-time applications such as financial trading or cloud computing. SSDs improve overall system performance, enabling faster data processing and reduced application latency. Their durability ensures consistent performance under heavy workloads, minimizing downtime and enhancing productivity.

Moreover, SSDs consume less power and generate less heat than traditional HDDs, reducing operational costs and environmental impact. With their robustness and performance benefits, data center SSDs are indispensable components in modern enterprise infrastructures, supporting mission-critical operations and driving business success.

Recent Developments

• October 2023- Micron unveiled its first standard SSD with over 200 layers, specifically designed for storage-intensive tasks like AI, virtualization, and real-time analytics. The Micron 7500 NVMe SSD is a successor to the 7450 and is designed for usage in mainstream or read-intensive data center environments. It has high-performance PCIe flash capabilities, although it may not be the absolute best option available.
• November 2023- Solid State Storage Technology Corp. (SSSTC) introduced the ER3 SSD Series at Supercomputing 2023 in Denver, Colorado. This groundbreaking series incorporates the world's first immersion cooling technology, specifically designed for data centers. The ER3 SATA SSD Series is designed for enterprise use and offers exceptional reliability and endurance. It is specifically built to handle demanding workloads and extensive write operations in large data centers.