Lenovo S4520 480GB SATA Read Intensive SSD — 2.5" Internal

The Lenovo S4520 480 GB Solid State Drive delivers enterprise-grade performance in a compact 2.5-inch SATA package. Engineered for read-intensive workloads, this drive leverages 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC flash to provide a cost-conscious solution without compromising on reliability or throughput. Ideal for data centers, server upgrades, and office environments that demand fast, dependable data access, the S4520 is designed to accelerate boot times, improve application responsiveness, and deliver a smoother overall experience for heavy read workloads. Built for Lenovo ThinkSystem ecosystems but compatible with a wide range of 2.5" SATA interfaces, this SSD blends aggressive performance with endurance and efficiency, helping organizations optimize both productivity and total cost of ownership.

• Read-Intensive Performance with Enterprise-Grade Value: The S4520 is purpose-built for read-heavy workloads, offering strong sequential and random read capabilities that accelerate data access, database lookups, virtual desktop read caches, and media streaming. By prioritizing read throughput, this drive minimizes latency for frequently accessed data, ensuring faster startup times for operating systems, quicker application launches, and a more responsive user experience across demanding environments.
• High-Density 480 GB Capacity: With 480 GB of storage, the S4520 provides ample space for the operating system, critical applications, and frequently accessed data sets. The capacity is optimized to reduce drive sprawl in environments where space, power, and cooling are at a premium, while still delivering the speed benefits of solid-state storage over traditional hard drives. This makes it suitable for upgrade projects, boot drives, and read-heavy caches within servers and workstations alike.
• 2.5-Inch Form Factor with SATA (SATA/600) Interface: The drive adheres to the standard 2.5-inch form factor and connects via a robust SATA III interface (6 Gbps). This combination ensures broad compatibility with a wide range of servers, backplanes, desktops, and laptops, while delivering reliable data transfer rates and low latency typical of modern SSDs. The familiar form factor simplifies integration into existing storage bays and backplanes, enabling straightforward upgrades without chassis modifications.
• 144-Layer Intel 3D NAND TLC Flash for Density and Durability: Leveraging advanced 144-layer 3D NAND TLC technology, the S4520 achieves higher capacity per die, improved energy efficiency, and better endurance characteristics compared to older planar NAND. The result is a more durable drive capable of handling sustained read workloads with consistent performance, making it a practical choice for environments that require dependable data access with a reasonable total cost of ownership.
• Reliability, Efficiency, and Easy Integration: Built to support enterprise workloads, the S4520 emphasizes reliability and predictable performance. It integrates seamlessly into Lenovo ThinkSystem configurations while maintaining compatibility with other systems that support 2.5" SATA drives. The drive is designed to deliver stable operation, reduced power consumption during idle and active states, and straightforward firmware updates and monitoring via standard enterprise management tools, helping administrators maintain uptime and simplify maintenance tasks.

Technical Details of Lenovo S4520 480 GB Solid State Drive

• Product family: Lenovo ThinkSystem
• Model: S4520
• Capacity: 480 GB
• Form Factor: 2.5-inch
• Interface: SATA 6Gb/s (SATA/600)
• Type: Read Intensive SATA SSD
• Memory technology: 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC Flash
• Target workloads: Read-heavy enterprise workloads, operating system and application caching, data-access acceleration
• Compatibility: Suitable for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and other systems supporting 2.5" SATA drives

How to Install Lenovo S4520 480 GB Solid State Drive

• Prepare the workspace: Power down the system completely, unplug from any power source, and discharge static electricity by grounding yourself before handling the drive.
• Back up important data: If you are replacing an existing drive, back up any critical data from the old drive to another storage location prior to removal.
• Open the drive bay: Remove the chassis cover or access panel as required by the system you are upgrading, and locate a vacant 2.5-inch drive bay or backplane slot compatible with SATA drives.
• Install the drive: Slide the Lenovo S4520 into the 2.5-inch bay or attach it to the backplane using the mounting screws or sleds provided with your system. Align the drive so that the connectors are accessible for the SATA data and power cables or backplane connector.
• Connect power and data: Attach the SATA data cable to the drive and the motherboard or backplane, and connect the power cable to the SSD. If your system uses a backplane, ensure the drive is firmly seated and properly seated in the backplane connector.
• Secure and close: Fasten any mounting screws to secure the drive, reassemble the chassis or panel, and reconnect the power cord.
• Power up and initialize: Turn on the system. In the operating system, verify that the new drive is detected. Depending on your use case, initialize and format the drive, assign a drive letter, and configure it as a dedicated OS, data, or cache drive as appropriate for your workload and system configuration.
• Confirm performance and health: Use standard monitoring tools to confirm drive health, SMART status, and expected performance under your typical read workloads. Apply any necessary firmware updates following Lenovo’s guidance to maintain reliability and compatibility with your server or workstation environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Lenovo S4520 480 GB SSD? It is a 2.5-inch internal solid-state drive designed for read-intensive workloads, built with 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC flash, and configured for 6Gb/s SATA interfaces. It is suitable for Lenovo ThinkSystem systems and other devices that support standard 2.5-inch SATA drives.
• Which systems can use this drive? The drive is compatible with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and other systems that support 2.5-inch SATA drives. Always verify fit, connector type, and firmware compatibility with your hardware before purchasing or upgrading.
• What workloads is this drive best suited for? It is optimized for read-intensive workloads, including operating system boot drives, application caches, databases with heavy read activity, virtualization caches, and other scenarios where rapid data access is essential but write activity is comparatively lighter.
• What are the key technology features? The drive utilizes 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC flash for higher density and efficiency, a SATA 6Gb/s interface for broad compatibility and solid throughput, and a 2.5-inch form factor for easy integration into most standard storage bays and backplanes.
• How do I install or upgrade? Remove power, back up data if replacing an existing drive, insert the 2.5-inch SSD into an available bay or backplane, connect SATA data and power, secure the drive, boot the system, and initialize/format the drive in the OS if needed. Firmware updates should be applied per Lenovo’s guidelines.
• Can this drive be used in desktops or laptops? Yes, provided the system has a 2.5-inch SATA drive bay and supports SATA III speeds. While it is marketed for enterprise use, the drive is compatible with consumer hardware that meets the SATA interface and form factor requirements.