June 28, 2024 –On June 28th, SK Hynix announced the development of its new solid-state drive (SSD), the PCB01, touted as the “industry’s highest performance” storage solution specifically designed for AI-enabled personal computers.
According to SK Hynix, the PCB01 is the first in the industry to utilize the PCIe 5.0 x 8 interface technology, significantly enhancing data processing speeds and overall performance. This breakthrough follows the company’s success in developing ultra-high-performance DRAM solutions like HBM, further cementing its position as a leader in AI-oriented memory products.
The x8 interface, explained by SK Hynix, refers to the number of data input/output (I/O) interfaces between the NAND flash memory and the controller within the SSD. While x4 interface products are geared towards the general PC market, the x8 interface products are targeted at the high-performance PC segment.
Currently, SK Hynix is collaborating with global PC manufacturers to validate the new SSD, with plans to commence mass production later this year. The company intends to launch products catering to both large clients and the general consumer market.
The PCB01 boasts impressive sequential read and write speeds of 14GB/s and 12GB/s, respectively. Compared to its predecessor, this SSD offers over 30% improvement in energy efficiency, thereby enhancing the stability of large-scale AI computations.
Additionally, SK Hynix has incorporated SLC Caching technology into the PCB01. This technology allows certain NAND flash memory cells to operate in high-speed SLC mode, optimizing performance.
Moreover, the PCB01 comes equipped with security features to protect personal information. It includes a Root of Trust (ROT) security solution designed to prevent external attacks, data forgery, and tampering, while also securing user passwords.
The PCB01 will be available in three storage capacities: 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. According to SK Hynix’s NAND Flash Solution Committee Vice President, An Hyeon, the new product marks a significant performance upgrade compared to its predecessor. The company is currently engaged in compatibility verification collaborations with several CPU companies targeting AI-focused PCs. SK Hynix aims to smoothly progress through customer validation and mass production, solidifying its leading position in the AI-oriented memory market.
