Performance/Power Efficiency Metric for SSDs

This white paper introduces Performance/Power Efficiency (PPE) as a new benchmark for solid-state drives (SSDs) in AI-driven data centers. It outlines the increasing power demands driven by AI workloads and the need for data center architects to balance performance with power consumption. The paper discusses the limitations of traditional I/O metrics and emphasizes the significance of PPE in evaluating storage infrastructure. The Sandisk DC SN861 PCIe® Gen5 SSD is used as a case study to illustrate the application of PPE, detailing its performance across various workloads while adhering to power constraints. The findings indicate that the Sandisk SSD achieves peak performance at lower power states, demonstrating over 30% efficiency improvement compared to previous generations. The paper concludes with implications for future data center designs, highlighting the necessity for smarter power management and higher-density drives to meet the evolving demands of AI workloads. Overall, PPE serves as a critical metric for optimizing storage solutions in power-constrained environments.