Lenovo S4520 960 GB Read Intensive SATA SSD

The Lenovo ThinkSystem S4520 960 GB Read Intensive (RI) SATA SSD is engineered for enterprise storage environments that demand fast, reliable, and cost-effective read-heavy performance. Built on 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC flash and paired with a 6Gbps SATA interface, this 2.5-inch internal SSD delivers industry-leading efficiency and endurance improvements over previous generations. It’s designed to accelerate data-heavy workloads such as operating system boot times, virtualization caches, read-dominant databases, and media streaming in Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and storage backplanes. The RI designation means optimized reliability for sustained read operations with robust wear management, making it a smart choice for cold data reads, read caching, and OS/Data cache layers in dense data centers.

• Endurance and reliability for read-intensive workloads: The S4520 RI drives are optimized to handle long-term read operations with improved endurance compared to the S4510 series, delivering steady performance in data-hungry environments while maintaining consistent latency and reliability under load.
• Advanced NAND technology: Equipped with 144-layer Intel 3D NAND TLC flash, these drives benefit from higher cell density, improved write conditioning, and efficient power use. This enables better endurance, lower total cost of ownership, and sustained performance for read-heavy workloads over time.
• High-value SATA performance in a 2.5-inch form factor: The 6Gbps SATA interface provides broad compatibility with existing enterprise backplanes and controllers, while the 2.5-inch form factor (with a 2.5" carrier) offers flexible deployment in servers, storage arrays, and workstations that require easy replacement and hot-swap capability.
• Ideal for Lenovo ThinkSystem deployments: As a purpose-built RI drive, the S4520 is tuned to integrate seamlessly with Lenovo ThinkSystem ecosystems, delivering predictable behavior in enterprise environments, simplified firmware updates, and reliable long-term operation in dense deployments and multi-drive arrays.
• Versatile use cases for read-heavy workloads: Perfect for OS boot drives, caching layers, virtualization hosting, read-dominant databases, content delivery caches, and archival storage, where rapid, consistent read performance and dependable endurance reduce latency and improve overall system responsiveness.

Technical Details of Lenovo S4520 960 GB Read Intensive SATA SSD

• Capacity: 960 GB
• Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA/600)
• Form Factor: 2.5" internal drive with 2.5" carrier
• NAND Flash: Intel 144-layer 3D TLC
• Drive Type: Read Intensive (RI)
• Endurance: Improved endurance versus S4510
• Designed for: Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and storage backplanes

How to install Lenovo S4520 960 GB Read Intensive SATA SSD

Preparing for installation: verify your server or storage backplane supports a 2.5" SATA SSD with a compatible carrier. Ensure you have the appropriate firmware level and RAID/controller drivers for your ThinkSystem environment. Before installation, back up data and power down the system to prevent any data loss. Installation steps:

• Power down the system and disconnect power cables.
• Open the drive bay or backplane enclosure and remove any existing drive if replacing.
• Install the 2.5" carrier and secure the Lenovo S4520 into the drive slot, aligning connectors with the backplane.
• Connect the SATA data and power cables (or the backplane interface) securely.
• Close the bay, reattach power, and boot the system. Enter the server management interface to confirm the drive is recognized.
• Initialize and configure the SSD in the operating system or RAID controller as needed for your workload (e.g., set up as a standalone volume or part of a RAID array).
• Optionally update firmware to the latest Lenovo/ThinkSystem release for optimal compatibility and performance.

Note: Always follow your specific server or storage backplane manufacturer's instructions for mounting guidelines, backplane compatibility, and controller configuration to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads is the Lenovo S4520 960 GB Read Intensive SSD best suited for?
• What does Read Intensive mean, and how does it differ from other SSD endurance classes?
• Does the S4520 come with a 2.5" carrier for easy installation?
• Can this drive be used in non-Lenovo servers or only in ThinkSystem platforms?
• What deployment scenarios maximize the benefits of a 960 GB RI SATA SSD?