The storage sector is undergoing a true transformation. While consumer SSD prices have skyrocketed due to the component shortage and the demand for AI, manufacturers are accelerating the launch of next-generation technologies for data centers and enterprise environments. The arrival of the PCIe 6.0 interface and advanced controllers marks a turning point in how AI infrastructures manage data.
In recent weeks, two big names have dominated the headlines: KIOXIA and Marvell. Both have unveiled solutions that share the same goal: expanding flash-based memory to support the most demanding AI workloads , reducing reliance on expensive HBM memory and improving GPU efficiency.
KIOXIA GP1: 10 million IOPS for AI
KIOXIA Europe GmbH has announced the KIOXIA GP1 series, its first NVMe PCIe 6.0 SSDs designed specifically for direct GPU access. These drives achieve up to 10 million random read IOPS thanks to second-generation KIOXIA XL-FLASH flash memory, enabling high-bandwidth memory (HBM) expansion via a high-speed, flash-based memory layer.
The GP1 series is designed for new AI storage architectures that need to access increasingly large datasets at a significantly lower cost than adding more HBMs. With 512-byte blocks and a scalable architecture, KIOXIA is projected to achieve 100 million IOPS in future generations. Evaluation samples will be available to select customers before the end of 2026.
Marvell Bravera SC6: the controller that powers Gen6 SSDs
Marvell, for its part, has introduced the Bravera SC6 controller (MV-SF1410), a chip designed to meet the requirements of modern data centers. This controller combines PCIe Gen 6 connectivity, NVMe 2.2 compatibility, and support for high-speed NAND in a single enterprise-ready platform.
The Bravera SC6 features 5MB of integrated SRAM, a 64-bit DDR5 interface, and a hardware RAID engine for enhanced data protection. It also supports speeds of up to 3600 MT/s on the NAND interface, promising exceptional performance for modern NAND technologies. Shipping is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Both companies agree that PCIe Gen 6 SSDs provide the performance needed to support intensive AI workloads, delivering several gigabytes per second, millions of random IOPS, and highly efficient DMA-based data movement . This enables rapid access to datasets that far exceed the capacity of the accelerator memory, while maintaining high system utilization.
The storage industry is undergoing a true revolution. While consumers are grappling with rising prices, data centers are preparing for a new era of performance with technologies like those unveiled by KIOXIA and Marvell. The combination of PCIe 6.0, advanced controllers, and low-latency flash memory promises to reduce latency, improve GPU utilization, and lower the costs of AI infrastructures . Undoubtedly, the future of high-performance storage is already here, and Spain and Europe will not be left behind in this transformation.