Micron SSDs Earn Spot on NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 Vendor Recommendations

In the ever-evolving landscape of data centers, where speed and efficiency are paramount, Micron Technology, Inc. just dropped some noteworthy news: its 9550 PCIe Gen 5 E1.S SSDs have officially made the cut for nVidia’s recommended vendor list. This is no small feat, especially when you consider that these SSDs are now part of the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system, a setup designed to redefine AI infrastructure.

So, what’s the big deal? The GB200 NVL72 is powered by NVIDIA’s Grace Blackwell Superchip, which is all about delivering energy-efficient, rack-scale AI infrastructure. Think of it as the brains behind the operation, making sure that everything runs smoothly while keeping energy consumption in check. This is particularly crucial as we ramp up our reliance on AI, especially for tasks like training large-scale models and performing real-time inference on language models that can process trillions of parameters.

Now, let’s talk numbers. The Micron 9550 SSD isn’t just another storage option; it’s a performance powerhouse. Micron claims that it delivers up to 34% higher throughput when paired with NVIDIA’s Magnum IO GPUDirect (GDS) and can complete workloads in graph neural network (GNN) training up to 33% faster when using Big Accelerator Memory (BaM). If you’ve ever waited impatiently for a model to finish training, you’ll appreciate the significance of those stats. It’s like waiting for your coffee to brew—every second counts.

But it’s not just about speed. Sustainability is becoming a buzzword in tech, and Micron is stepping up to the plate. Their 9550 SSD reportedly consumes 81% less energy per terabyte transferred compared to other SSDs on the market when using the same NVIDIA GDS. And during GNN training, it uses up to 43% less power. That’s a win-win for both performance and the planet. As Jeremy Werner, Micron’s corporate VP, aptly put it, their storage solutions are crucial for meeting the demanding needs of AI workloads that stretch from data centers to the edge.

Keith Morris from NVIDIA echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of ultra-fast and energy-efficient NVMe storage in the GB200 NVL72’s design. It’s clear that the integration of Micron’s SSDs into these systems is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic move to enhance overall performance and efficiency.

But the 9550 isn’t the only player in Micron’s lineup that’s making waves. The company also has its 7450 PRO SSDs—available in both E1.S and M.2 formats—now listed on the NVIDIA RVL. This expanded portfolio means that server manufacturers have more options to choose from, ensuring that they can build systems tailored to their specific needs.

As we look to the future of AI and high-performance computing, the collaboration between Micron and NVIDIA is a promising sign. With the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip shipping with Micron’s LPDDR5X memory, we’re not just talking about high capacity; we’re also looking at low power consumption and enhanced reliability.

In a world where every millisecond matters and sustainability is more than just a checkbox, the advancements from Micron and NVIDIA could be the key to unlocking the next generation of AI infrastructure. It’s an exciting time to be in tech, and I can’t help but wonder: what will the future hold as these innovations continue to unfold?

Background Information

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About Micron Technology: Micron Technology, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a global leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. Founded in 1978 by Ward Parkinson, Joe Parkinson, Dennis Wilson, and Doug Pitman, Micron has played a pivotal role in advancing semiconductor technology. The company produces dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory, and USB flash drives. Micron’s products cater to various applications, including AI, automotive, mobile devices, data centers, and client PCs. Their commitment to innovation and cutting-edge memory technology has positioned them as a key player in the industry.

  

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About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering cutting-edge solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. Renowned for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming prowess, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

  

Technology Explained

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Blackwell: Blackwell is an AI computing architecture designed to supercharge tasks like training large language models. These powerful GPUs boast features like a next-gen Transformer Engine and support for lower-precision calculations, enabling them to handle complex AI workloads significantly faster and more efficiently than before. While aimed at data centers, the innovations within Blackwell are expected to influence consumer graphics cards as well

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Grace Blackwell: Grace Blackwell is a cutting-edge technology that has revolutionized the computer industry. It is a type of artificial intelligence that is designed to mimic human cognitive abilities, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. This technology has been applied in various areas of the computer industry, including data analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning. For example, Grace Blackwell can analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns and trends, making it a valuable tool for businesses to make informed decisions. It can also understand and respond to human language, making it useful for virtual assistants and chatbots. Additionally, Grace Blackwell can continuously learn and improve its performance, making it an invaluable asset in the development of new technologies. Overall, Grace Blackwell has greatly enhanced the capabilities of computers and has opened up new possibilities for the future of technology.

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LPDDR5X: LPDDR5X is a type of computer memory technology that is used in many modern computers. It stands for Low Power Double Data Rate 5X and is a type of Random Access Memory (RAM). It is designed to be more efficient than its predecessors, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and lower power consumption. This makes it ideal for use in laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. It is also used in gaming consoles and other high-end computers. LPDDR5X is capable of transferring data at up to 8400 megabits per second, making it one of the fastest types of RAM available. This makes it ideal for applications that require high performance, such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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