Chinese memory manufacturer YMTC has launched its first commercial PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, the PC550. This new drive aims to address the ongoing global shortage of storage solutions and is specifically targeted at AI PCs and commercial client systems. The PC550 utilizes YMTC’s proprietary Xtacking 4.0 NAND technology, promising enhanced speeds and efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- YMTC’s PC550 is its inaugural PCIe 5.0 client SSD.
- It features Xtacking 4.0 NAND technology for improved performance.
- The drive is available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities.
- It offers sequential read speeds of up to 10,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 10,000 MB/s.
- The PC550 is designed for AI PCs and commercial systems, with a focus on power efficiency.
YMTC PC550 Specifications and Performance
The YMTC PC550 SSD is built with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface and supports the NVMe 2.0 protocol. It is offered in capacities of 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB, and is available in both M.2 2242 and M.2 2280 form factors. The drive incorporates YMTC’s X4-9070 3D NAND chips, based on the advanced Xtacking 4.0 architecture. This technology allows for the bonding of memory cells and peripheral circuits, enhancing performance and reliability.
Performance figures for the 2TB model indicate sequential read speeds of up to 10,500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 10,000 MB/s. While these speeds are significantly faster than most PCIe 4.0 SSDs, they are not the absolute fastest in the PCIe 5.0 market, which can reach speeds closer to 15,000 MB/s. This suggests a potentially less powerful controller compared to some competitors.
Random performance varies by capacity. The 512GB model offers up to 880K random read IOPS and 1,100K random write IOPS, with a durability rating of 300TBW. The 1TB and 2TB models boast higher performance with approximately 1,300K random read and write IOPS, and endurance ratings of 600 TBW and 1,200 TBW, respectively.
Design and Efficiency
A key design feature of the PC550 is its four-channel architecture. YMTC claims this design choice helps reduce power consumption and heat generation compared to the more common eight-channel configurations found in many high-performance SSDs. The drive is rated for idle power consumption of less than 3mW and active workload consumption under 6W, making it suitable for integration into notebooks and other power-sensitive devices.
Market Positioning and Availability
The PC550 is positioned for AI PCs and commercial client systems, a growing segment in the computing market. With the ongoing global shortage of storage solutions, YMTC’s entry into the PCIe 5.0 market could provide much-needed capacity and options for PC manufacturers (OEMs). While the official product page does not list pricing or direct purchase options, interested parties can submit inquiries, suggesting an initial focus on OEM and system integrator channels. It remains to be seen when these drives will become available in the retail market.
YMTC’s move into PCIe 5.0 technology, leveraging its in-house Xtacking 4.0 NAND, signifies its growing ambition in the competitive semiconductor industry. This development comes as major PC manufacturers are reportedly exploring Chinese memory and storage providers to diversify their supply chains.
Via Tom’s Hardware
