Seagate has launched the FireCuda Forge external drive, the first device powered by its Alkemi intelligent storage platform. Designed for gamers and content creators, Alkemi dynamically tiers data by combining user-provided NVMe SSD speed with high-capacity HDD storage. The system offers read speeds up to 2,500MB/s, USB4 connectivity, and support for Windows 11 and macOS.
A new platform for a new reality
From massive game libraries and 4K video to AI-powered animation, people are creating, working with, and keeping more data than ever. IDC projects annual global data generation will more than triple, from 218 zettabytes in 2025 to more than 718 zettabytes by 2030.1 As digital libraries expand, consumers need fast access to active content and the capacity to preserve growing collections.
Engineered to improve with use, the Alkemi dynamic-caching technology learns how data is used in real-time and automatically prioritizes frequently accessed content from a user’s SSD, while ensuring the HDD provides capacity for larger libraries. The result brings intelligent data tiering from the data center to the desktop, dynamically caching data based on activity patterns, to deliver fast and easy access without users having to manage where their data lives.
“For years, external storage has forced users to choose: speed or scale. Forge is built on the idea that they shouldn’t have to,” said Lance Ohara, VP of Edge IoT Marketing at Seagate. “Powered by our new Alkemi technology, it combines the responsiveness users want with the storage capacity they need in one intelligently managed system to give gamers and creators the best of both worlds.”
FireCuda Forge is the first product to deliver the Alkemi experience, combining a user’s NVMe SSD with the Forge’s high-capacity HDD to onboard processing in a single box. Seagate engineers designed the FireCuda Forge to provide fast, seamless access to the content people use most, while offering the capacity to keep more of what matters, whether gaming, streaming, creating or managing everyday digital life.
Product highlights
- First product build on the Alkemi platform: Alkemi learns and adapts over time to keep high-demand content fast and accessible on a user’s SSD, while the HDD provides space for growing libraries. Behind the scenes, Alkemi manages data placement, giving users the simplicity of a single storage drive.
- Performance for demanding workflows: Up to 2,500MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write performance.
- Choice and expandability: The FireCuda Forge contains an upgradeable HDD, and users select and provide their own NVMe SSD that is required for operational compatibility.
- High-bandwidth connectivity: USB4 supports gaming and creator workflows on compatible systems.
- Platform support: Designed to support Windows 11 and macOS 26 and above.
The FireCuda Forge is available now through the Seagate on-line store and authorized partners in 8TB and 20TB configurations, starting at $699 (8TB) and $899 (20TB). Product availability may vary by market.
