Superior performance with the NetApp AFF A90 for your demanding data-intensive workloads

In late 2023, a significant milestone was achieved in the industry when the NetApp^® AFF A900 all-flash storage system took the top spot in the SPECstorage Solution 2020_swbuild benchmark. This achievement highlighted NetApp’s leadership in handling metadata-heavy workloads, showcasing our ability to manage complex job sets with unmatched efficiency and reliability.  

Today, we are thrilled to announce that now the new NetApp AFF A90 system has claimed the top position in the SPECstorage Solution 2020_swbuild benchmark, achieving 11,040 builds with an overall response time of 1.42ms. For businesses that focus on software build environments, this benchmark is crucial. The AFF A90 system’s impressive 80% increase in the total number of jobs completed over the previous AFF A900 system demonstrates a significant leap in performance. This advancement means that your organization can rely on a solution that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, providing future-readiness and superior performance across diverse applications.

The SPECstorage Solution 2020_swbuild benchmark is an industry-standard representation of metadata-heavy workloads, common in sectors like electronic design automation (EDA) and software development. For IT managers, system architects, and procurement teams, these results are a valuable tool for making informed purchasing decisions. By comparing metrics like throughput and response time, you can identify the best storage solutions to meet your needs, achieving optimal performance and scalability for the future. This benchmark also helps you reduce risks and increase confidence that your chosen solution will perform as expected. 

Reclaiming the top spot 

In the latest benchmark, the AFF A90 system not only met but exceeded expectations, achieving outstanding results that reinforce NetApp’s leadership in this space. The performance metrics of the AFF A90 system highlight its capability to drive excellence in your business operations.

Note: The comparison is based on results published at www.spec.org as of May 13, 2025. SPEC^® and the benchmark name SPECstorage® are registered trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. For more information about the SPECstorage Solution 2020 benchmark, see www.spec.org/storage2020/. 

Speeding up software builds 

The enhanced performance of the AFF A90 system directly benefits software builds. With an 80% increase in build capacity, your organization can shorten build times, leading to increased productivity and quicker time to market for your designs. This boost in efficiency allows your designers and engineers to focus on innovation, confident that their tools are optimized for peak performance. 

Driving performance with innovation 

The superior performance of the AFF A90 system is propelled by advancements and innovations in both NetApp hardware platforms and ONTAP^® software. These enhancements set the AFF A90 apart, positioning it as a leader in the industry. 

Our engineering team has integrated these innovations so that your systems deliver industry-leading performance.  

Looking ahead 

As we celebrate this milestone, our focus remains on the future. At NetApp, our commitment to innovation and excellence drives us to continually improve and evolve our solutions. The AFF A-Series is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how you will take advantage of its capabilities to reach new heights in your field. 

Learn more about the NetApp AFF A90 all-flash storage system and discover how it can transform your metadata-heavy workloads. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, providing the expertise and resources that you need to succeed. 

To explore the full potential of the AFF A90 system and to see how it can benefit your organization, visit the NetApp AFF A-Series page. For more information or to schedule a demonstration, contact our sales team.