SK hynix Unveils Cutting-Edge Platinum P51 Gen5 SSD Featuring 238L NAND, Spotted at GTC

SK hynix is set to introduce its first Gen5 consumer NVMe SSD, the Platinum P51 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, boasting an in-house SSD controller, PCIe Gen5, and SK hynix's 238L TLC NAND, at its GTC 2024 booth, marking a significant entry for the Gen5 market.

Transition to PCIe Gen5 for faster speeds
Utilization of SK hynix's 238L TLC NAND for improved performance
In-house SSD controller for better integration and optimization

SK hynix is gearing up to introduce their first Gen5 consumer NVMe SSD lineup, as showcased at their GTC 2024 booth. The Platinum P51 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD will take over as the flagship model, succeeding the Platinum P41 that has been on the market for over a year.

Like its predecessors, the Gold P31 and Platinum P41, the Platinum P51 features an in-house SSD controller. The notable updates include the transition to PCIe Gen5 and the utilization of SK hynix’s 238L TLC NAND. However, further details are currently limited, and we have reached out to SK hynix for more information.

Here are the specifications for the SK hynix Platinum P51 Gen5 NVMe SSD:

– Capacity: 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
– Controller: SK hynix In-House
– NAND Flash: SK hynix 238L 3D TLC NAND at ?? MT/s (‘4D’ with CMOS circuitry under the NAND as per SK hynix marketing)
– Form-Factor, Interface: M.2-2280, PCIe 5.0 x4, NVMe 2.0
– Sequential Read: 13500 MB/s ??
– Sequential Write: 11500 MB/s ??
– Random Read IOPS: ??
– Random Write IOPS: ??
– SLC Caching: Yes
– TCG Opal Encryption: ??
– Warranty: ??
– Write Endurance: ?? TBW, ?? DWPD

During the GTC event, only the peak sequential access numbers were disclosed, suggesting that the drive’s firmware is still undergoing refinement. Additionally, it remains uncertain how these figures will vary based on the SSD’s capacity. Availability and pricing details have not been made public at this time.

This release holds significant importance for the Gen5 consumer SSD market, which currently offers limited options. While the Phison E26 controller and Micron’s B58R NAND combination have already entered their second generation, with the NAND operating at 2400 MT/s in the latest iteration, other vertically integrated vendors like Samsung, Western Digital/Kioxia, and SK hynix (until now) have primarily focused on the Gen4 market, which has seen wider adoption.

We will provide updates once the official specifications become available.

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Background Information

About Phison: Phison Electronics Corporation, established in 2000 in Taiwan, is a global leader in NAND Flash controller ICs and storage solutions. Phison's innovations in flash memory and controllers have made them a key player in the storage industry, providing technology that powers various storage devices.

About Samsung: Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

About SK hynix: SK Hynix is a important South Korean semiconductor company known for its innovative contributions to the global technology landscape. Specializing in the production of memory solutions, SK Hynix has played a vital role in shaping the semiconductor industry. With a commitment to research and development, they have continuously pushed the boundaries of memory technology, resulting in products that power various devices and applications.

About Western Digital: Western Digital, established in 1970, is a important data storage solutions provider known for its wide range of hard drives and solid-state drives. Catering to various applications, from personal computers to enterprise storage systems, Western Digital emphasizes data management and security. With a reputation for reliability and innovative solutions, the company has been pivotal in shaping the storage industry. Their products are trusted by individuals, businesses, and data centers worldwide

Technology Explained

M.2: M.2, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a computer expansion card format that is designed to replace the outdated mSATA standard. It is thinner and longer than mSATA, which gives it a much higher data transfer rate. The M.2 format measures 22mm in width and can measure up to 110mm in length. It uses the M-key and B-key connectors to interface with PC host systems, and can connect to both SATA III and PCIe for data transfer. Due to its small size, M.2 is often used for ultra-slim laptops and netbooks, as well as in embedded SSDs for tablets and other mobile devices. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the desktop computer industry, thanks to its compactness and fast transfer speeds. This makes M.2 ideal for gaming PCs, workstations, and other demanding applications that require high levels of data throughput.

NAND: NAND technology is a type of non-volatile memory that is used in many computer applications. It is a type of flash memory that is used to store data in a non-volatile manner, meaning that the data is not lost when the power is turned off. NAND technology is used in many computer applications, such as solid-state drives, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and memory cards. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as cell phones, tablets, and other consumer electronics. NAND technology is a reliable and cost-effective way to store data, making it a popular choice for many computer applications.

NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

PCIe Gen5: PCIe Gen5, or PCI Express Generation 5, is the latest technology advancement in the computer industry. It is the first major upgrade to the current PCIe standard. Compared to PCIe Gen3, PCIe Gen5 increases bandwidth throughput that is almost double, resulting in faster data transfer speeds. This means that it can provide higher data transfer rates for output devices like graphics cards, network cards, RAID controllers, and sound cards. It also supports faster NVMe storage devices, allowing for a smoother gaming experience. PCIe Gen5 can also support multiple concurrent data streams and is backward compatible with older PCIe slots. In the computer industry, PCIe Gen5 allows for faster data transfer, improved graphics quality, faster memory access, and higher GPU performance, making the technology ideal for gaming and server builds.

SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation