We’re solely simply beginning to see SSDs that push the boundaries of the PCIe 5.0 interface, however work on next-gen drives is already underway, with guarantees of speeds of up to an enormous 28GB/s. That is practically twice as quick because the WD Black SN8100, and it is due to a brand new PCIe 6.0 SSD controller that is simply been introduced by Silicon Movement.
Now, don’t be concerned in case you’ve already purchased a WD Black SN8100 to your gaming rig – it isn’t going to be out of date anytime quickly. In actual fact, the pinnacle of Silicon Movement has already talked about that it is prone to be at the least 5 years earlier than we see a PCIe 6.0 SSD sitting amongst your typical PC gaming {hardware}. This controller is presently solely focused on the enterprise market, however cutting-edge storage {hardware} within the enterprise world usually filters all the way down to gaming gear sooner or later, notably with regards to high-speed SSDs.
The brand new controller is known as the Silicon Movement SM8466, and tech web site IT House studies that it was unveiled on the FMW 2025 World Flash Reminiscence Summit. Based on a slide shared by the location (a machine-translated model is proven beneath), the brand new controller permits an SSD to hit a sequential learn velocity of 28GB/s. As a degree of comparability, the WD Black SN8100, which is the quickest drive on our information to purchasing the very best gaming SSD, tops out at 14.9GB/s, so PCIe 6.0 drives primarily based on this controller might find yourself being practically twice as quick.
The slide additionally states that the controller is constructed utilizing TSMC’s 4nm manufacturing course of, which is extra superior than the 6nm used to make the present SM2508 controller, utilizing smaller transistors. Based on the slide, the controller may even assist an unlimited capability of as much as 512TB, though it is impossible we’ll ever see PCIe 6.0 gaming SSDs assist something like this stage of capability.
Unsurprisingly, this controller is not designed for the M.2 kind issue both, with Silicon Movement saying it helps the SCSI SCA interface, which is designed for high-performance enterprise drives which can be usually housed in giant steel circumstances.
Nonetheless, it is a glimpse of the potential way forward for gaming storage. I do not anticipate to see a PCIe 6.0 gaming SSD anytime within the close to future, particularly given the warmth they’re prone to generate, however the know-how wanted to make a high-speed PCIe 6.0 SSD is certainly on the way in which now.
Within the meantime, try our new Essential T710 assessment, the place we benchmark Essential’s newest flagship drive, in addition to our full tutorial on the right way to set up an SSD, in case you’re considering of upgrading your storage.
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