Kioxia brings PCIe 6.0 SSD with more than 28 GB/s when reading

Kioxia has unveiled a PCIe 6.0 solid-state drive (SSD) with sequential read speeds exceeding 28 gigabytes per second. The new model, designated CM10, targets enterprise environments and is designed for applications such as AI inference, large key-value caches, and traditional enterprise workloads. It uses third-generation BiCS flash technology with 332-layer TLC NAND, offering improved performance over its predecessor, the CM9 series. While Micron and Samsung have already begun mass production of PCIe 6.0 drives, Kioxia remains cautious about specific transfer rates and availability timelines. The CM10 series will be available in server form factors including E3.S and E1.S, as well as a 2.5-inch variant. Capacities range from 1.6 terabytes to 61.44 terabytes depending on the configuration. For the E3.S and the 9.5-millimeter high E1.S version, direct cold plate liquid cooling is planned, reinforcing the focus on dense AI servers. Performance improvements include up to 92 percent higher sequential read speed and 85 percent better random read performance compared to the CM9 series. However, the 2.5-inch variant is compatible with PCIe 5.0 rather than PCIe 6.0, utilizing older BiCS flash technology. At the Flash Memory Summit (FMS) in Santa Clara, California, both Phison and Silicon Motion announced controllers for PCIe 6.0 SSDs, enabling manufacturers without proprietary controller expertise to produce suitable drives. Phison’s X3 controller aims to deliver up to 28 gigabytes per second and six million input/output operations per second (IOPS). Engineering samples are scheduled to reach partners in December 2026, with mass production planned for mid-2027. Early models from Phison’s Pascari brand and Teamgroup’s T-Create Master Ai I6E have already been showcased, targeting E1.S and E3.S formats for data centers. Silicon Motion is pursuing two paths with its PCIe 6.0 offerings. The Enterprise controller SM8466 supports up to 28 gigabytes per second, seven million IOPS, and SSDs with capacities up to 512 terabytes. However, the company has not yet disclosed specific SSD partners or a launch date. Meanwhile, under the codename Neptune, Silicon Motion is developing a PCIe 6.0 controller tailored for client-side SSDs. This platform is expected to debut towards the end of 2027, though consumer-grade SSDs based on this technology may take longer to become available. Neither AMD nor Intel has provided a definitive timeline for PCIe 6.0 adoption on their regular desktop and mobile platforms. Silicon Motion estimates that widespread availability of PCIe 6.0 SSDs in the consumer market could occur around 2030. A potential exception might be high-end workstations equipped with AMD’s upcoming Threadripper generation, which has already appeared in documentation. Nonetheless, PCIe 6.0 technology is unlikely to be relevant for typical M.2 SSDs used in gaming PCs and notebooks in the near future.