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Burgundy LTO Ultrium 5 data cartridge, rectangular plastic shell with sliding door, single pack

IBM

IBM 46X1290 LTO Ultrium 5 1.5 TB Backup Media

SKU CH-EX46-43BCV MPN 46X1290

Fifth-generation LTO tape cartridge provides 1.5 TB native and 3.0 TB compressed capacity with an embedded LTO-CM chip for reliable automated loading

  • Total capacity1.5/3.0 TB
  • Media formatLTO Ultrium 5
  • Pack quantity1 Pack
  • Key featuresHighest capacity tape cartridge built and tested to stringen
  • 5 TB native capacity stores large datasets on a single cartridge
  • 0 TB compressed capacity doubles effective storage with 2:1 compression
  • 60 years of tape engineering expertise ensures proven reliability
  • LTO-CM chip enables fast cartridge data exchange during drive operations
  • Burgundy color distinguishes Generation 5 media from earlier generations in the data center

LTO Ultrium 5 data cartridge

This IBM cartridge delivers 1.5 TB native capacity and up to 3.0 TB with 2:1 compression for long-term backup and archive workloads. The burgundy shell identifies it as the fifth LTO generation in a data centre. An embedded LTO cartridge memory chip transfers cartridge data during load and unload to improve reliability. Each unit is tested in IBM drives and libraries for performance and data integrity.

Suits tape libraries and stand-alone drives

Organisations that rely on LTO-5 drives for offline retention, regulatory compliance or air-gapped copies will match this media to their existing hardware. Buyers who need higher native capacity per cartridge or a different tape format should look at other media generations. The single-pack quantity also limits immediate supply for large library deployments.

1.5 TB native capacity

The uncompressed 1.5 TB figure determines whether a single cartridge can hold a full backup set without spanning multiple tapes. Compressed capacity reaches 3.0 TB at 2:1, but actual results depend on data compressibility. Cartridge dimensions are 4.2 by 0.9 inches and weight is 7.06 oz for handling reference.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Backup Disks & Cartridges, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $26.99
Cheaper than about 71% of the 136 comparable items (median $47.99).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameIBM
Model name46 × 1290
Total capacity1.5/3.0 TB
Size & build
Shipping weight0.28 kg
Package size114 × 109 × 27 mm
In the box
Pack quantity1 Pack
More details
Media formatLTO Ultrium 5

Questions about this item

Should I choose the 1.5 TB native or the 3.0 TB compressed capacity version of the 46X1290?

The 46X1290 is a single cartridge rated at 1.5 TB native and up to 3.0 TB with 2:1 compression; choose based on whether your backup software enables compression.

What does the 1.5 TB native capacity mean when the cartridge is used in an LTO-5 drive?

It provides 1.5 TB of uncompressed storage on the 2775.59 ft tape, verified by the embedded LTO-CM chip during load and unload cycles.

Does the burgundy LTO Ultrium 5 cartridge work with earlier LTO drive generations?

LTO-5 media is written by LTO-5 drives and read by LTO-5 and LTO-6 drives; it is not compatible with LTO-4 or earlier drives.

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