Silicon Motion’s PCIe 6.0 SSD Controller Hits 25+ GB/s, Coming 2028
▼ Summary
– Silicon Motion unveiled its Neptune PCIe 6.0 x4 SSD controller for client PCs, offering sequential read speeds over 25 GB/s and random performance of 3.5 million IOPS.
– The Neptune controller supports eight NAND channels with speeds up to 4800 MT/s and features Separate Command Architecture (SCA) to reduce latency and boost bandwidth.
– PCIe 6.0 SSDs for client PCs are expected to launch in 2029 or 2030, with mass production of the Neptune controller starting in 2028.
– Enterprise-grade PCIe 6.0 SSDs will outperform Neptune-based drives, offering higher sequential read speeds and double the random performance due to 16 NAND channels and optimizations.
– Silicon Motion also revealed its MonTitan SM8366 PCIe Gen5 SSD platform for data centers supports configurations up to 256 TB, doubling current capacities.
Silicon Motion has unveiled its groundbreaking Neptune PCIe 6.0 SSD controller, promising blistering speeds beyond 25 GB/s for future client PCs. Revealed at the Future Memory & Storage conference, this next-generation controller marks a significant leap in storage technology, though consumers will need to wait until at least 2028 for its arrival.
The Neptune controller stands out as the first PCIe Gen6 solution announced for consumer PCs, featuring an eight-channel NAND interface capable of handling 4800 MT/s speeds. Designed for next-gen 3D NAND with 400+ layers, it enables sequential read performance exceeding 25 GB/s and random performance hitting 3.5 million IOPS, a massive upgrade over today’s fastest PCIe 5.0 drives.
A key innovation in Neptune is its Separate Command Architecture (SCA), which splits command and address pathways to minimize latency and maximize bandwidth. This design allows simultaneous processing, improving real-world responsiveness for demanding workloads.
While impressive, client-focused Neptune drives will still trail enterprise-grade counterparts like Silicon Motion’s SM8466, which boasts 16 NAND channels and specialized optimizations for sustained performance. The company expects enterprise PCIe 6.0 SSDs to deliver roughly double the random performance of consumer models.
Availability remains years away, with mass production slated for 2028 and retail drives likely arriving in 2029 or 2030. Silicon Motion CEO Wallace Kou confirmed the timeline, noting that PC manufacturers currently show little interest in PCIe 6.0, with chipmakers like AMD and Intel also hesitant to discuss the standard.
Adopting PCIe 6.0 won’t come cheap, controllers will require more advanced silicon and higher-speed interfaces, driving up costs. Meanwhile, Silicon Motion also highlighted its existing MonTitan SM8366 PCIe 5.0 platform, which now supports 256TB configurations using cutting-edge 3D NAND, doubling previous capacity limits.
As the storage industry gears up for PCIe 6.0, Neptune represents a glimpse into the future of ultra-fast SSDs, though patience will be essential for early adopters.
(Source: TOMSHARDWARE)
