We take cryptocurrency — so the coins you hold can buy real hardware.Pay in crypto, spend it on real hardware. Free insured shipping worldwide over $399. Plain, unbranded boxes, sent from Germany.Free insured shipping over $399. Your rate is locked for 30 minutes once checkout opens.Rate locked 30 minutes. Every item sealed, serial-checked and covered by a 24-month warranty.Sealed, 24-month warranty.

Saved items Sign in
Five sealed LTO-3 tape cartridges in plastic cases

IBM

IBM LTO-3 400 GB 5-Pack Backup Media

SKU CH-ZYN5-81GEE

Five LTO-3 cartridges providing 400 GB native capacity each for backup systems

  • Total capacity400 GB
  • Media formatLTO-3
  • Native 400 GB capacity per cartridge for reliable backups
  • Compressed 800 GB capacity doubles effective storage
  • Five cartridges included for extended archiving
  • LTO-3 format works with Gen 3 drives and automation
  • Light 7.41 oz weight simplifies handling and storage

LTO-3 5-Pack for Long-Term Archiving

This five-cartridge pack provides 400 GB native capacity per tape for linear tape-open generation three drives. The media suits organisations that need offline, removable storage for compliance archives or disaster-recovery sets. Each cartridge is new and formatted for immediate use in compatible libraries or standalone drives. The pack simplifies bulk procurement for scheduled backup rotations.

Sustained Write Behaviour on LTO-3 Drives

Native throughput is determined by the drive mechanism rather than the cartridge, so sustained streaming performance matches the drive’s rated speed without early throttling. The tape formulation maintains consistent bit-error rates across the full 400 GB length during long sequential writes. Compressed capacity of 800 GB is achievable when the host application or drive hardware applies lossless compression. Performance scales linearly with drive speed, not with media revision.

Thermal, Acoustic and Power Characteristics

The cartridges are passive media; they generate no heat, noise or electrical draw during operation. Storage at recommended temperature and humidity preserves magnetic integrity for the rated archival life. Each cartridge weighs approximately 7.41 oz, contributing minimal load to automated library mechanisms. Power consumption and cooling remain entirely dependent on the tape drive or library hardware.

How it compares

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

Price $120.99
Pricier than about 78% of the 136 comparable items (median $47.99).
Total capacity 400 GB
Lower than about 65% of the 23 comparable items (median 800 GB).
Price per TB $302.47 per TB
Pricier than about 90% of the 16 comparable items (median $18.00 per TB).

New to this? Paying with USDT: TRC-20 or ERC-20 — what to check, what it costs to pay, and what is never asked for.

Specifications

Product
Brand nameIBM
Total capacity400 GB
More details
Media formatLTO-3

Questions about this item

How much heat or noise does an LTO-3 cartridge add when the drive runs all day?

The cartridge itself is passive; it generates no heat or noise. Only the drive mechanism consumes power and produces sound during operation.

What drive or library must I already own to use these LTO-3 cartridges?

You need an LTO Generation 3 tape drive or compatible automation library that accepts LTO Ultrium 3 media.

Will these LTO-3 cartridges work in the older LTO-2 drive I still keep?

An LTO-2 drive cannot write or read LTO-3 cartridges; you need an LTO-3 or later drive for this media.

More in Backup Disks & Cartridges

Similar items