Intel P5500 7.68TB U.2 PCIe 4.0 Enterprise SSD

Brand: Intel | Category: Enterprise SSDs

SKU: INTEL-P5500-7.68TB-U2-PCIE-4-SSD | Part #: INTEL-P5500-7.68TB-U2-PCIE-4-SSD | MPN: INTEL-P5500-7.68TB-U2-PCIE-4-SSD

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Intel's P5500 7.68TB U.2 PCIe 4.0 Enterprise SSD (part number INTEL-P5500-7.68TB-U2-PCIE-4-SSD) positions itself as a read-intensive caching and mixed-workload primary storage tier for large-scale data centre operations. With random read performance reaching 1,000,000 IOPS at queue depth 256, this drive is engineered for workloads where read latency and throughput consistency matter more than absolute write speed. The 120 microsecond average read latency and 6,700 MB/s sequential read rate make it suitable for database query caches, AI model inference serving, and analytics platforms that demand fast data retrieval without the premium cost of enterprise NVMe drives built on cutting-edge SLC or MLC NAND.

The Intel 144-layer QLC NAND architecture in the P5500 represents the practical trade-off between capacity density and performance that storage architects have learned to exploit over the past five years. QLC technology allowed Intel to fit 7.68 terabytes of usable storage into a single 2.5-inch U.2 form factor, which means fewer drive slots consumed in a data centre rack and lower per-terabyte acquisition costs compared to higher-speed alternatives. That capacity density becomes critical when you're deploying hundreds of these drives across hybrid storage clusters—a scenario common in large AI training labs, hyper-converged infrastructure setups, and data warehouses in the GCC region. The sequential write performance of 2,200 MB/s and 200,000 random write IOPS are sufficient for logging, temporary caching layers, and non-primary storage tiers, though they signal that this is not the drive for write-heavy transactional databases or real-time streaming ingestion.

Endurance is specified at 0.5 drive writes per day (DWPD) across a five-year warranty period, translating to 14,016 terabytes written (TBW) before reaching end-of-life. For storage architects evaluating this drive, that figure anchors the decision: in read-heavy workloads where the drive sees 10–15% write traffic, a single P5500 will comfortably survive five to seven years in production. Intel's power loss imminent (PLI) protection and T10 PI/DIF end-to-end data path integrity features ensure that sudden power events do not corrupt in-flight data, a requirement that procurement teams and infrastructure leads rarely skip in mission-critical systems. The 256-bit AES encryption and TCG Opal 2.0 support add compliance value for regulated environments, while the Sanitize Instant Erase feature enables secure drive decommissioning without multi-pass overwrite cycles.

Thermal and electrical profiles make the P5500 friendly to dense server configurations. Active read power consumption sits at 25 watts typical, and idle drops to 7 watts—modest figures that allow storage architects to pack more capacity per power distribution unit without redesigning cooling infrastructure. The U.2 2.5-inch form factor (15mm height) fits standard 2U and 4U appliances, eliminating the retrofit complexity that sometimes accompanies drive upgrades in mature data centres. A 2,000,000-hour mean time between failures (MTBF) rating provides the statistical baseline that procurement contracts and spare parts planning depend on, though in practice, the real driver of drive replacement is either capacity exhaust or the normal obsolescence cycle rather than mechanical failure.

Storage teams sourcing the Intel P5500 7.68TB in the UAE and broader GCC region will find Omnixon Global positioned as a direct distributor with established relationships across regional data centres, AI infrastructure builds, and enterprise storage deployments. We maintain in-country inventory of Intel enterprise SSDs and can support your capital equipment planning with technical briefs, compatibility verification, and volume pricing for multi-rack deployments. To discuss specification alignment with your workload profile or to request a formal quotation for the INTEL-P5500-7.68TB-U2-PCIE-4-SSD, please contact our enterprise storage team via the RFQ portal on this site.

Performance and Reliability Specifications

• Sequential read speed reaches 6,700 MB/s; sequential write 2,200 MB/s—delivering consistent throughput for mixed-workload primary and caching tiers
• Random read performance of 1,000,000 IOPS at queue depth 256 with 120 microsecond average latency supports high-concurrency database and analytics workloads
• 7.68TB native capacity in a single U.2 2.5-inch form factor reduces rack density pressure and slot consumption versus smaller SSD alternatives
• Intel 144-layer QLC NAND with 14,016 TBW endurance (0.5 DWPD) rated for five-year warranty cycles in read-heavy to mixed-read deployment scenarios
• T10 PI/DIF data path protection, power loss imminent (PLI) capacitor protection, and TCG Opal 2.0 encryption ensure data integrity and compliance in regulated environments
• 25W active read power and 7W idle power consumption allow dense deployment without overhaul of thermal or electrical distribution infrastructure
• 2,000,000-hour MTBF and Sanitize Instant Erase feature enable predictable lifecycle planning and secure decommissioning workflows