Intel Schools Storage Rivals With Massive 32TB Ruler Enterprise SSD

Today, Intel is announcing what it calls the world's densest SSD. Called the Intel SSD DC P4500, the storage device is roughly the length of an old-school ruler that you used in elementary or middle school and holds a whopping 32TB of data. Yes, 32 terabytes.

Intel is pushing this unique form-factor as a cost-effective way to replace traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which are known to generate quite a bit of heat -- especially when you have multiple drives enclosed in a relatively tight enclosure. Given that beefy 24-7-365 air-conditioning systems contribute greatly to the running costs of data centers, Intel reckons that any increases in cost associated with these large-scale SSD deployments will be more than made up for when it comes to efficiency gains.

"Compared with a traditional SSD, the “ruler” requires half the airflow to keep cool," Intel explains. "And compared with hard disk storage, the new 3D NAND SSD sips one-tenth the power and requires just one-twentieth the space."

Intel has already signed up big names like Tencent, IBM and Microsoft, who are already using its new ruler SSDs, and more are likely to join on as the company boosts storage densities.