There is no single wattage for a SAS SSD. Power depends on the exact model and capacity, SAS generation, operating state and workload, as well as how the measurement was taken. For a meaningful number, look up the drive’s data sheet and distinguish idle from active power, maximum-average limits and short-window peaks.
What power figures apply to SAS SSDs?
A standards-based reference is the Open Compute Project’s Datacenter SAS-SATA Device Specification v1.5, published June 27, 2025. It sets class limits for 2.5-inch drives, not a prediction of what every drive will draw:
| Drive class | Maximum-average power during normal read/write operation | Idle power limit |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-inch SAS3 (12G) SSD | 11 W | 4 W |
| 2.5-inch SAS4 (24G) SSD | 18 W | 5 W |
These are specification limits for the matching form factor and interface generation. They are not typical-use readings, nor evidence that a particular drive continuously draws the listed active figure.
Why published SAS SSD wattages differ
Model and capacity
Power varies among products, including within one product family. Seagate’s 1200.2 SAS SSD family data sheet lists average idle figures that vary by model and capacity: its mainstream-endurance examples span 3.5 W to 6.2 W, while its light-endurance examples span 3.5 W to 5.8 W. Those ranges describe the cited Seagate family examples, not all SAS SSDs; check the exact SKU’s table entry before using a specific value.
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Interface generation and form factor
The Open Compute Project sets different limits for 12G SAS3 and 24G SAS4 devices, so the interface generation matters when using a standard as a reference. Match both generation and form factor; a limit for a 2.5-inch drive should not be applied indiscriminately to a different class.
Operating state and workload
Idle is not the same as sleep or power-off. Seagate’s 1200.2 product manual describes idle-mode measurement as a powered drive ready to receive media-access commands, with none arriving from the host. Its peak operating power assessment uses different read and write patterns intended to simulate worst-case consumption. Active power therefore depends on the workload and measurement method; it should not be presented as a constant draw.
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How to compare power specifications fairly
Before comparing two drives, align the conditions behind the numbers. If a vendor does not publish matching conditions, treat the figures as not directly comparable.
- Interface generation and form factor.
- Exact model and capacity.
- Operating state: idle, ready, sleep, active or power-disabled.
- Workload and access pattern, including read/write mix and intensity when stated.
- Statistic type: typical, maximum average or peak.
- Measurement window, sampling rate, power rails and test conditions.
What “maximum average” and “peak” mean
The measurement interval can change what a reported number represents. For the referenced Open Compute Project requirements, maximum-average power is measured over a one-second window, with sampling at 2 ms or better. Its peak measurement uses a 100-microsecond window, with sampling at 4 microseconds or better. A short-window peak and a one-second average are different statistics and should not be compared as if they were equivalent.
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Other manufacturers may specify different methods. Oracle’s 200/800/7680 GB SAS SSD specification, revision F87000-02 (September 2023), identifies the drives as Samsung PM1653 and defines maximum power as average power over a 500 ms interval. It lists 4 W on the 5 V rail and 7.2 W on the 12 V rail. Keep those rail-specific maxima and Oracle’s measurement interval attached to the figures; do not combine or reinterpret them as a differently measured single-drive value.
Examples from manufacturer specifications
The following figures illustrate why the source, state and measurement description belong beside every wattage.
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| Source and drive | Published figure | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Open Compute Project, 2.5-inch SAS3 (12G) SSD | 11 W maximum average; 4 W idle | Class limits in the 2025 specification; the cited requirements define measurement windows and sampling rates. |
| Open Compute Project, 2.5-inch SAS4 (24G) SSD | 18 W maximum average; 5 W idle | Class limits in the 2025 specification; not a model-specific prediction. |
| Seagate 1200.2 mainstream-endurance examples | 3.5 W to 6.2 W average idle | Product-family figures vary by model and capacity; use the data-sheet entry for the exact SKU. |
| Seagate 1200.2 light-endurance examples | 3.5 W to 5.8 W average idle | Product-family figures vary by model and capacity; use the data-sheet entry for the exact SKU. |
| Oracle specification for cited Samsung PM1653 capacities | 4 W on 5 V rail; 7.2 W on 12 V rail | Maximum power averaged over 500 ms, as Oracle specifies for its 200/800/7680 GB drives. |
| Huawei OceanDisk 300S SAS 3.0 | 5 W idle; 11 W active average | Figures published on Huawei’s product page for this product example, not a general SAS SSD rating. |
Huawei lists those figures on its OceanDisk 300S SAS 3.0 product page. The cited KIOXIA PM7-V Series product page identifies a 2.5-inch SAS SSD family; use its model-specific documentation for figures rather than assuming a general value from the product category.
How to find the wattage for a specific drive
- Identify the exact drive. Record the manufacturer, model, capacity, form factor and SAS generation from the label, product record or controller inventory.
- Open the matching manufacturer data sheet or product manual. Confirm that it covers the exact model or family and capacity.
- Find the operating state and statistic. Check whether the listed number is idle, active, sleep, typical, maximum average or peak.
- Read the measurement notes. Note the workload, interval, sampling rate and whether figures are reported per rail.
- Compare only like with like. If test conditions differ or are missing, report that the figures are not directly comparable rather than inferring a ranking.
Drive power is not server power
These figures describe drive-level specifications. They do not establish the total draw of a storage server or an electricity reading at the wall. A system-level measurement includes other hardware, so it cannot be attributed to the SSD alone.
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