HPE PM1733a 7.68 TB NVMe 4.0 Read Intensive SSD — 2.5" Internal U.3

The HPE PM1733a 7.68 TB solid state drive is a purpose-built, enterprise-grade NVMe storage solution designed for read-intensive workloads in data centers, servers, and high-demand IT environments. Engineered to accelerate read-heavy tasks while maintaining reliability and efficiency, this 2.5" internal drive leverages the latest PCIe 4.0 technology and the U.3 interface to deliver impressive IOPS, reduced latency, and exceptional consistency. Whether you’re supporting read caching for faster content delivery, managing bulk storage for large email archives, hosting social media datasets, or powering boot-and-swap operations, the PM1733a RI SSD is built to keep critical systems responsive under heavy loads.

• High-performance Read Intensive design — Optimized for read-centric workloads such as caching, media streaming, analytics, and rapid boot/swapping, the PM1733a RI drives deliver strong IOPS with consistently low latency. This makes it ideal for scenarios where read throughput is the primary bottleneck, helping applications respond faster and users experience smoother performance even as data volume grows.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and efficiency — Built for data centers and mission-critical environments, this drive combines robust endurance and data integrity features with energy-efficient operation. It supports reliable operation under sustained load, reduces the need for frequent refreshes, and contributes to lower total cost of ownership while maintaining consistent performance over time.
• 2.5" internal form factor with U.3 PCIe NVMe 4.0 — The PM1733a is a compact, hot-pluggable 2.5" drive designed for servers and backplanes that support U.3 (NVMe over PCIe) interfaces. With PCIe 4.0, it achieves higher PCIe bandwidth than predecessors, enabling faster data access for read-centric tasks and smoother data delivery across storage pools and virtual environments.
• Flexible deployment for a range of use cases — Perfect for read caching, bulk storage, social media data, email repositories, and boot/swap drives, this SSD can be deployed in a variety of configurations. Its Read Intensive profile makes it well-suited for workloads where reads dominate writes, helping to optimize response times and throughput in dense server environments.
• Seamless integration and scalability — Designed to slot into standard 2.5" drive bays and support enterprise-grade backplanes, the PM1733a easily integrates with HP servers as well as other systems that support NVMe U.3. Its compact footprint and strong performance enable scalable storage expansions to meet growing data demands without sacrificing speed or reliability.

Technical Details of HPE PM1733a 7.68 TB SSD

• Capacity: 7.68 TB
• Form factor: 2.5" internal
• Interface: U.3 (PCIe NVMe 4.0) with NVMe 4.0 x4
• Workload profile: Read Intensive (RI)
• Usage: Enterprise-grade SSD designed for read-dominant workloads such as caching, bulk storage, and boot/swap operations

How to install HPE PM1733a 7.68 TB SSD

• Verify compatibility: Confirm your server or workstation supports NVMe U.3 2.5" drives and that there is a suitable drive bay or backplane. Check firmware and BIOS/UEFI compatibility for PCIe 4.0 NVMe devices to ensure optimal performance and stability.
• Prepare the workspace: Power down the system and unplug from power. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge. Have the proper screws or drive sleds ready if your server requires them for mounting the 2.5" form factor.
• Install the drive: Slide the PM1733a into the designated 2.5" drive bay or backplane slot. Secure it with screws or locking mechanism as required by your chassis. Ensure the connector is fully seated to establish a solid PCIe NVMe connection.
• Power up and enter the management console: Boot the server and access the system BIOS/UEFI or the host management interface (e.g., HP iLO or equivalent). The drive should appear as an NVMe device in the storage or PCIe subsystem. If necessary, enable NVMe or adjust PCIe slot settings to maximize bandwidth.
• Initialize, format, and configure: In the operating system, initialize the drive with a GUID Partition Table (GPT) and create the desired volumes. Format with the preferred file system (for example, NTFS, ext4, or XFS) depending on your OS and workload. Allocate the space according to your storage strategy, and consider configuring RAID or backplane caching as applicable.
• Firmware and health validation: Update drive firmware if a newer revision is available from HP or the vendor’s toolchain, and run any built-in health checks or SMART data queries to verify endurance, read performance, and error rates. Establish monitoring through your management software to track IOPS, latency, and drive health over time.
• Optimization and workload placement: For read-intensive workloads, consider placing frequently accessed data on the PM1733a and using it as a cache tier or boot drive to maximize responsiveness. Align partitions for optimal performance in NVMe environments and tune OS-level caching and I/O scheduling to suit your workload profile.
• Documentation and policy: Record the installation details, serial numbers, firmware versions, and maintenance windows in your asset management system. Implement a backup and restore policy to protect critical data, and integrate this drive into your broader storage architecture for predictable performance.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the PM1733a 7.68 TB NVMe SSD best used for? It is optimized for read-intensive workloads, including read caching, bulk data storage, boot and swap operations, and data feeds for social media or large email repositories. Its design emphasizes high IOPS and low latency to ensure rapid data access for read-heavy applications.
• What does Read Intensive mean for this drive’s performance? Read Intensive indicates the drive is tuned for workloads that predominantly read data rather than write new data. It helps deliver steady, predictable read throughput and quick access to frequently read data, which is ideal for caching and streaming scenarios where reads dominate the workload profile.
• Is this drive compatible with non-HPE servers? Yes, the PM1733a uses the U.3 NVMe standard and 2.5" form factor, which allows installation in many servers and backplanes that support NVMe over PCIe. Always verify firmware compatibility and driver support for your specific platform before deployment.
• How should I monitor the health of this drive? Use standard NVMe SMART data, OS-based disk monitoring tools, and your data center management solution to track IOPS, latency, temperature, and endurance indicators. Regular firmware updates from HP or approved vendors can also help maintain reliability and performance.
• Can the PM1733a be used as a boot drive? Yes, in compatible systems it can serve as a boot drive, provided the OS supports booting from NVMe devices and the server’s BIOS/UEFI settings are configured accordingly. Ensure proper driver support and firmware alignment for reliable boot operations.