SK hynix Unveils PS1012 U.2 SSD for AI Data Centers

On December 18, SK hynix announced the development of a high-capacity Solid State Drive (SSD), the PS1012 U.2*, designed specifically for AI data centers.

*U.2: A type of Form Factor for SSDs, typically 2.5 inches in size, primarily used in servers or high-performance workstations. It is known for large capacity storage and high durability.

As the AI era advances, the demand for high-performance enterprise SSDs is surging. SK hynix highlighted that QLC* technology, which enables high storage capacities, is quickly becoming the industry standard. In response to this demand, the company has developed and launched the PS1012 SSD, offering an impressive 61TB of storage.

*QLC: NAND flash is divided into SLC (Single Level Cell), MLC (Multi Level Cell), TLC (Triple Level Cell), QLC (Quadruple Level Cell), and PLC (Penta Level Cell) depending on how much information is stored in one cell. As the amount of information stored increases, more data can be stored in the same area.

SK hynix's subsidiary, Solidigm, has achieved a major milestone by commercially launching the first QLC-based enterprise SSDs globally. SK hynix, leveraging Solidigm's expertise, is now leading the charge in the AI data center SSD market. With the launch of the PS1012, SK hynix aims to strengthen its product portfolio, creating synergies between the two companies.

The PS1012 features the latest fifth-generation PCIe* technology, doubling the bandwidth compared to previous fourth-generation products. This advancement allows data transfer speeds of up to 32GT/s  (Giga-transfers per second)*, while delivering sequential read performance that is twice as fast as its predecessors, reaching up to 13GB/s (gigabytes per second).

*Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe): A high-speed input/output interface with a serial structure used on the main board of a digital device.
*Giga-transfers per second (GT/s): Number of operations or information transferred per second

In addition, the new SSD supports OCP* 2.0, improving compatibility with a wide range of server equipment in AI data centers worldwide.

*Open Compute Project (OCP): An international consultative body that involves major data center companies around the world to discuss hardware, software and eSSD standards for building ultra-high-efficiency data centers.

SK hynix plans to provide product samples to global server manufacturers for evaluation by the end of this year, with plans to expand the product line to 122TB by the third quarter of next year. In November, SK hynix unveiled the world's highest 321-layer 4D NAND flash technology. To push the limits of enterprise SSD capacities, the company is also developing a 244TB product based on this cutting-edge 4D NAND technology, aiming to lead the market for ultra-high-capacity SSDs in data centers.

Commenting on the development, President and Chief Development Officer of SK hynix, Ahn Hyun, stated, “SK hynix and Solidigm are strengthening our QLC-based high-capacity SSD lineup to solidify our technological leadership in NAND solutions for AI. In the future, we will lay the foundation for growth to become a Full Stack AI memory provider by meeting the diverse needs of AI data center customers based on our high competitiveness in the eSSD field.”