Lenovo 4XB7A97045 Thinksystem 3.5 1TB 7.2K SATA 6GB HOT Swap 512N HDD V2

Lenovo 4XB7A97045 ThinkSystem 3.5" 1TB 7.2K SATA 6Gb/s Hot-Swap HDD V2

Overview

The Lenovo 4XB7A97045 is a 1TB, 7,200 RPM, 3.5-inch SATA hard drive designed for deployment inside Lenovo ThinkSystem servers that require hot-swap storage. It ships as a single unit (512n sector format) and connects over a 6 Gb/s SATA interface — the standard mechanical storage tier for workloads where capacity-per-dollar matters more than the latency profile of flash. If you are building or expanding a network video recorder rack or a ThinkSystem file server where continuous sequential writes are the dominant I/O pattern, this is the drive class to start with.

Key Features

• 1TB Capacity at 7,200 RPM: The 7.2K spindle speed keeps sustained sequential throughput competitive for surveillance recording and bulk data ingest — workloads that stream data continuously rather than hammering random IOPS. For NVR builds writing 24/7 camera streams, this translates to predictable write bandwidth without the cost premium of enterprise SAS or SSD tiers.
• SATA 6 Gb/s Interface: The 6 Gb/s SATA III backplane connection saturates well above the mechanical drive's native throughput ceiling, meaning the interface is never the bottleneck. ThinkSystem backplanes wired for SATA 6Gb/s will accept this drive without adapter cards or additional cabling — straightforward integration into supported server storage bays.
• 3.5-Inch Hot-Swap Form Factor: Hot-swap capability means you can pull a failed drive and insert a replacement without powering down the server. In a RAID array running live surveillance or production workloads, this eliminates the maintenance window — a meaningful operational advantage in always-on environments like command centers or warehouse security deployments.
• 512n Sector Format: The 512-byte native (512n) sector format ensures compatibility with legacy OS, RAID controllers, and HBA configurations that do not support 512e or 4Kn advanced format drives. If your ThinkSystem is running an older RAID firmware stack, 512n avoids any sector-alignment or compatibility troubleshooting during provisioning.
• Factory-New, Single-Pack: Ships as one drive per pack (1 pc), factory-new condition. Ordering is straightforward for incremental capacity adds — no need to purchase in pairs or multi-packs when you need a single bay populated or a single drive swapped under warranty.
• Manufactured in Mexico, UNSPSC 43201803: Country of origin MX with UNSPSC code 43201803 (computer storage devices) — relevant for procurement teams validating supply-chain documentation or TAA compliance requirements in government or regulated-sector bids. Note: TAA compliance for this specific SKU should be confirmed directly with Lenovo procurement documentation before committing to a TAA-required order.

Integration and Compatibility

The 4XB7A97045 is a Lenovo ThinkSystem-branded drive, engineered and qualified for ThinkSystem server platforms. It installs into 3.5-inch hot-swap bays on supported ThinkSystem rack and tower servers. For integration guidance specific to your server model, cross-reference Lenovo's ThinkSystem ServerProven compatibility list. Pairing this drive with a network-attached storage or RAID controller that supports SATA 6Gb/s and 512n sectors is required for full compatibility — confirm your backplane and RAID card support these parameters before ordering. For surveillance-specific deployments, this drive pairs well with supported NVR platforms that use ThinkSystem server hardware as the recording engine. Buyers sourcing multiple units for a storage expansion should review Lenovo's ThinkSystem storage configuration guides to confirm per-slot and per-controller drive limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What servers is the Lenovo 4XB7A97045 compatible with?

A: The 4XB7A97045 is a Lenovo ThinkSystem-branded drive designed for ThinkSystem servers with 3.5-inch hot-swap SATA bays. For a confirmed compatibility list by server model, consult Lenovo's ThinkSystem ServerProven database — compatibility depends on the specific server generation and backplane configuration.

Q: Is this drive hot-swappable?

A: Yes. The 4XB7A97045 is a hot-swap drive, meaning it can be installed or replaced while the server remains powered and operational, provided the server and RAID/storage controller support hot-swap on the relevant bay.

Q: What sector format does the 4XB7A97045 use?

A: It uses 512n (512-byte native) sector format, which offers the broadest compatibility with RAID controllers and operating systems, including older firmware stacks that do not support advanced format (512e or 4Kn) drives.

Q: What is the interface speed?

A: The drive uses a SATA 6 Gb/s (SATA III) interface, which is the standard for modern ThinkSystem SATA backplanes and does not require any special cabling or adapter.

Q: How many drives come in a package?

A: One drive per package (1 pc). Each unit is ordered and ships individually — no multi-pack requirement.

Q: What does the drive weigh and what are its physical dimensions?

A: The 4XB7A97045 weighs 2.05 lb and measures 10.00 x 7.50 x 4.00 inches (L x W x H), consistent with a standard 3.5-inch enterprise hot-swap carrier assembly.

Marty Allison

The 4XB7A97045 is a straightforward mechanical storage unit — 1TB at 7,200 RPM over a 6 Gb/s SATA III backplane — but the details that matter most for integrators are the hot-swap form factor and the 512n sector format. When you are provisioning a ThinkSystem server for continuous surveillance recording or a bulk-write application, choosing the wrong sector format causes real pain at the RAID controller level, and the 512n designation here eliminates that variable entirely.

Technical Highlights:

• 7,200 RPM / 6 Gb/s SATA: At 7.2K RPM on a 6 Gb/s backplane, sustained sequential throughput is well-suited for multi-stream surveillance writes. The interface is never the ceiling — the mechanical platter is — so you can plan storage bandwidth around the drive's rated spindle performance, not interface saturation.
• Hot-Swap Carrier: The 3.5-inch hot-swap design means a drive failure in a live RAID set does not require a maintenance window. Pull the failed unit, insert the replacement, and let the controller handle the rebuild — no downtime on an active recording system.
• 512n Sector Format: Legacy and current-generation RAID controllers alike handle 512n without alignment issues. If your ThinkSystem is paired with an older HBA firmware, this is the format that avoids compatibility troubleshooting entirely.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your specific ThinkSystem server model and RAID controller support this drive via Lenovo's ServerProven list before ordering — ThinkSystem drive qualification is per-platform, not universal across all server generations.
• At 2.05 lb per drive, factor carrier weight into rack load calculations for high-density storage builds — a fully populated storage shelf adds up quickly and should be checked against rack weight ratings.

This drive is the right fit for ThinkSystem-based NVR builds or file server expansions where workloads are predominantly sequential, capacity-per-dollar is the primary selection criterion, and the operational environment demands hot-swap serviceability without scheduled downtime.