"Introducing the first PCIe 6.x SSD that reaches speeds of 27 Gb/s, although it is unlikely to be available for sale for several years."
Astera Labs and Micron take PCIe 6.x to a new level.
Micron has unveiled a PCIe 6.x SSD prototype that sets a new speed record with a sequential read capacity of 27 GB/s. According to AsteraLabs, this device becomes the fastest SSD in the world utilizing PCIe 6.x, surpassing Micron's previous model, which had already achieved speeds over 26 GB/s.
The prototype was showcased at DesignCon 2025, where it was used alongside Astera Labs' Scorpio P-Series fabric switch, achieving a data transfer rate nearly double that of the fastest SSDs currently operating with PCIe 5.0. This switch, which was introduced at the end of 2024, is crucial for attaining this exceptional performance. Equipped with 64 PCIe 6.x lanes and a four-port architecture, it provides the necessary interconnectivity for smooth data flow between storage, processors, and GPUs.
During the demonstration, NVIDIA's GPUDirect Storage technology was used to create a direct data path between Micron's SSDs and an NVIDIA H100 GPU, bypassing the CPU and allowing for faster and more efficient processing. This setup highlights the potential of PCIe 6.x technology to accelerate workloads in artificial intelligence tools and cloud storage, where speed is critical.
PCIe 6.x, with double the bandwidth of PCIe 5.0, offers up to 256 GB/s of bidirectional performance in a 16-lane configuration, significantly reducing bottlenecks in AI training and inference tasks. While hyperscale data centers will benefit from this performance leap, widespread adoption will depend on the support of a broader ecosystem that includes CPUs, GPUs, and network interfaces capable of fully exploiting PCIe 6.x capabilities.
Despite the excitement surrounding this technological advancement, the prototype SSD is still just an experimental model. It is unlikely that consumers or enterprise buyers will see PCIe 6.x storage solutions available in the market anytime soon, as the ecosystem is still in its early stages, with manufacturers working on optimizing hardware and software to ensure compatibility and efficiency.