With the rapid adoption of AI applications, the demand for high-performance, reliable storage products is growing, drawing unprecedented attention to enterprise SSDs. The global SSD market is currently dominated by five major manufacturers, but as AI gains traction, Chinese enterprise SSD supply chain players are rising quickly through technical breakthroughs.

The enterprise SSD supply chain encompasses three main segments: NAND Flash memory, controller chips, and finished products. NAND Flash serves as the core storage medium and vehicle, available in formats like SLC (Single-Level Cell), MLC (Multi-Level Cell), TLC (Triple-Level Cell), and QLC (Quad-Level Cell).

The controller chip manages data read and write operations, with PCIe technology now the mainstream interface, while SATA and SAS also serve niche markets. The final product stage includes the design, production, and sales of enterprise SSDs.

Due to their significant control over NAND Flash memory, major flash manufacturers hold a dominant position in the enterprise SSD market. According to recent data from global market research firm TrendForce, the top five global enterprise SSD brands by revenue for Q2 this year are Samsung, SK Group (including SK Hynix and Solidigm), Micron Technology, Kioxia, and Western Digital. Collectively, these companies achieved revenues of $5.738 billion, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter growth of 52.7%.

At the same time, Chinese enterprise SSD manufacturers have seen notable growth in recent years, driven by technological innovation and market experience. Notable players in different segments of the enterprise SSD supply chain include Yangtze Memory, DapuStor, DERA, Union Memory, Zettastone, XITC, Memblaze, Unis Flash Memory, and HippStor.

The AI wave is driving massive demand for data storage and processing, which in turn imposes high requirements on the storage market for performance, cost-effectiveness, power efficiency, and reliability.

Domestic enterprise SSD manufacturers are racing to advance in these areas. For instance, in the field of flash memory, they are focusing on QLC technology, which can store more data within the same physical space compared to SLC, MLC, and TLC, thus meeting the high-capacity needs of big data and cloud storage applications.

In controller chip technology, the focus is on the PCIe 5.0 standard. Released by PCI-SIG in 2019, PCIe 5.0 doubles the data transfer speed of PCIe 4.0, enabling faster processing of large data volumes and boosting overall performance, which opens up significant growth potential for enterprise SSDs.

In China’s highly competitive enterprise SSD market, standing out requires more than simply obtaining high-quality NAND Flash and controller chips. Companies must integrate and optimize these components through innovative technology to ensure product performance and reliability, creating a competitive edge that differentiates their offerings from similar products.

 
(Photo credit: Yangtze Memory)

In the era of AI and big data, new market demands are emerging in the storage industry, and QLC NAND SSDs, which play a critical role in AI training. This suggests that NAND flash may be on the verge of a new growth opportunity.

QLC, or Quad-Level Cells, refers to NAND flash where each storage cell can record 4 bits. Each cell maintains a standard size, and compared to traditional SLC, MLC, and TLC technologies, QLC enables higher data density, allowing more data to be stored in the same space.

The Advantages of QLC Flash

QLC flash offers several key advantages:

• Capacity: Compared to mainstream TLC flash, QLC increases storage density by 33%.
• Cost: With the same number of flash chips cut from a wafer, QLC provides about 33% more storage capacity than TLC, leading to a lower cost per unit of storage.
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): QLC-based SSDs offer lower TCO compared to traditional HDDs. TCO includes considerations like storage density, reliability, and power consumption. While QLC’s write performance is somewhat inferior to other technologies, its read performance is strong.

However, QLC technology also faces some challenges. Since data is stored across more charge levels, this increases the risk of data vulnerability, requiring more advanced error correction and data protection mechanisms. QLC storage devices typically need stronger error correction algorithms and robust data protection to ensure integrity and reliability.

Despite these challenges, as technology continues to advance, QLC is expected to play an increasingly important role in the storage field, potentially revolutionizing the entire information industry.

QLC NAND is Entering the AI SSD Battlefield

Many believe that QLC SSDs are a complement to TLC SSDs, particularly suited for read-intensive and mixed read/write workloads, such as those found in AI, content delivery networks, and machine learning.

In AI applications, TrendForce points out that SSDs are used in AI inference servers to help adjust and optimize AI models during inference, especially by updating data in real-time to fine-tune model outputs. AI inference mainly supports Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Large Language Models (LLMs), and SSDs can store reference documents and knowledge bases for RAG and LLM to generate richer responses.

As more generated information is displayed as videos or images, data storage demands increase, making large-capacity SSDs, such as 16TB+ TLC/QLC models, essential for AI inference.

Currently, companies like Samsung, SK Hynix’s Solidigm, Western Digital, and Kioxia hold key positions in the QLC SSD market.

Industry experts are optimistic about the future of QLC SSDs, emphasizing their benefits for data centers, cloud storage providers, and enterprises handling massive amounts of data. QLC SSDs are seen as a potential game-changer for the NAND flash market.

TrendForce also predicts that QLC will account for 20% of NAND flash shipments by 2024, with this share expected to rise in 2025. Moreover, QLC is likely to expand into consumer-embedded storage such as eMMC and UFS, with some products already adopting QLC as the storage medium.

Industry forecasts suggest that by 2025, large-capacity QLC enterprise SSDs will rise, and smartphones will start using QLC-based UFS storage solutions.

(Photo credit: Samsung)

Samsung Electronics announced that it has begun mass producing PM9E1, a PCle 5.0 SSD with the industry’s highest performance and largest capacity.

According to Samsung’s press release, the PM9E1, which is built on its in-house 5nm-based controller and eighth-generation V-NAND (V8) technology, will provide powerful performance and enhanced power efficiency, making it an optimal solution for on-device AI PCs.

Key attributes in SSDs, including performance, storage capacity, power efficiency and security, have all been improved compared to its predecessor (PM9A1a), Samsung notes.

According to Samsung, thanks to the eight-channel PCIe 5.0 interface, the sequential read and write speeds of the new SSD have more than doubled compared to the previous generation, reaching up to 14.5 gigabytes-per-second (GB/s) and 13GB/s, respectively.

This powerful performance enables faster data transfer even with data-intensive AI applications, allowing a 14GB large language model (LLM) to be transferred from the SSD to DRAM in less than a second, Samsung states.

The PM9E1 offers a range of storage options, including 512GB, 1 terabyte (TB), 2TB and the industry’s largest capacity of 4TB. The 4TB option is especially an optimum solution for PC users in need of high-capacity storage for large-sized files such as AI-generated contents, data-heavy programs and high-resolution videos, as well as tasks that require intensive workloads such as gaming.

Additionally, the significantly improved power efficiency of over 50% allows for longer battery life which is ideal for on-device AI applications, according to Samsung.

For stronger security measures, Samsung has applied Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM) v1.2 to the product. The SPDM specification provides ‘Secure Channel,’ ‘Device Authentication’ and ‘Firmware Tampering Attestation’ technologies that can help prevent supply chain attacks involving forgery or manipulation of stored data in the product during production or distribution processes.

Starting with PM9E1, Samsung plans to expand its advanced SSD offerings to global PC makers and expects to launch PCIe 5.0-based consumer products in the future to solidify its leadership in the on-device AI market.

(Photo credit: Samsung)

SK hynix President Justin Kim shared insights on SK hynix’s current memory products and HBM-related offerings in a speech titled “Unleashing the Possibilities of AI Memory Technology.” Per a report from TechNews, he announced at Semicon Taiwan that the company would begin mass production of 12-stack HBM3e by the end of this month, marking a pivotal moment in the HBM battlefield.

He also stated that AI development is only at its first stage, with future growth expected to reach a fifth stage, where AI will interact with humans through intellect and emotion. Kim outlined AI’s key challenges, including power, heat dissipation, and memory bandwidth requirements.

The biggest challenge currently, according to Kim, is power shortages, with data centers expected to need twice the power they do now. Relying solely on renewable energy will not meet this demand, and increased power use will also generate more heat, requiring more efficient heat dissipation solutions.

Thus, SK hynix is working on AI memory that is more energy-efficient, lower in power consumption, and has greater capacity, while also offering solutions tailored to different applications.

Kim then shared the latest progress on HBM3e, noting that SK Hynix was the first supplier to produce 8-layer HBM3e and will begin mass production of 12-layer HBM3e by the end of the month. Additionally, SK Hynix introduced its latest products in DIMM, enterprise SSDs (QLC eSSD), LPDDR5T, LPDDR6, and GDDR7 as well.

Regarding technology development, Kim highlighted that HBM4 will be the first product based on a base die, combining SK hynix’s advanced HBM technology with TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing to achieve unparalleled performance. Mass production schedules will be aligned with customer demands.

On a global scale, Kim announced the establishment of a new facility in Yongin, South Korea, with plans to begin mass production in 2027, positioning Yongin as one of the largest and most advanced semiconductor hubs.

Moreover, SK hynix will invest in Indiana, USA, expected to start operations at a new plant in 2028, focusing on advanced HBM packaging.

Eventually, Kim stated that SK hynix will concentrate on AI business, looking to build AI infrastructure with SK Group. This includes integrating power, software, glass substrates, and immersion cooling technology, and working to become a core player in the ecosystem, overcoming challenges with partners to achieve goals in the AI era.

Read more

• [News] SK hynix Secures up to USD 450 Million Funding for Indiana Packaging Facility under CHIPS Act
• [News] SK Hynix President to Join Semicon Taiwan, Bolstering HBM Partnership with TSMC and NVIDIA

Recently, “Black Myth: Wukong” created by Chinese team was released and quickly became a smash hit among game players worldwide with its stunning graphics, rich gameplay, and unique storyline.

Behind this game lies the application of several cutting-edge technologies, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence. These technologies are supported by the underlying hardware, enabling the game to deliver realistic and breathtaking visual effects while ensuring smooth gameplay and responsiveness. Notably, GPU and memory devices represent two key components in this process.

• High-Performance GPU to Meet Game Demands

“Black Myth: Wukong” features high-definition visuals and complex effects, supporting ray tracing technology that simulates real-world light behavior to provide more realistic lighting and shadow effects. This requires high-performance GPU to offer powerful graphics processing capabilities, which thus ensures a smooth gaming experience.

NVIDIA provided significant technical support for “Black Myth: Wukong.” Its RTX 40 series GPU supports full panoramic ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) 3 technology, delivering smoother and higher-quality game visuals.

NVIDIA showcased “Black Myth: Wukong” at Gamescom, the world’s largest gaming convention, highlighting the game’s performance at the highest visual settings. NVIDIA also announced that “Black Myth: Wukong” is now part of the GeForce Now cloud gaming service, allowing subscribers to play the game without lengthy download times.

Additionally, Colorful collaborated with NVIDIA to launch a special edition “iGame GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER Advanced Black Myth: Wukong” graphics card, based on Colorful’s iGame GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER Advanced OC model.

This card features deep customization in appearance, 16GB of large memory, a powerful cooling system, and DLSS 3 technology. With local AI computing power of up to 836 TOPS, it can accelerate creative work even further.

Other manufacturers like GALAX, MSI, and Gigabyte have also recently rolled out custom or co-branded graphics cards based on the RTX 40 series for “Black Myth: Wukong.”

• SSD is in vogue

In light of the official PC specifications, “Black Myth: Wukong” requires a minimum of 16GB RAM and at least 130GB of memory space for the game’s main files, updates, and potential temporary files or cache data.

Compared to HDD (hard disk drives), SSD (solid-state drives) offers faster read/write speeds, lower latency, and greater durability, making them more suitable for large-scale games.

SSD can significantly reduce waiting times during game startup, scene loading, and resource switching, enabling them to become a sought after in the market. And this is why “Black Myth: Wukong” recommends PC setups equipped with SSD.

Recently, Chinese memory brand ZhiTai collaborated with “Black Myth: Wukong” to launch a co-branded version of the TiPlus7100 solid-state drive.

TiPlus7100 “Black Myth: Wukong” edition solid-state drive features an aesthetic design rooted in Eastern culture, which is equipped with high-quality original NAND and Yangtze Memory’s Xtacking® technology architecture.

It offers read speeds of up to 7000MB/s and comes in 1TB and 2TB capacities. The HMB mechanism and SLC Cache intelligent cache design ensure a stutter-free gaming experience. With its M.2 2280 single-sided PCB design, this co-branded edition can meet expansion needs for PS5, laptops, desktops, and more.

In addition to ZhiTai, other manufacturers like UNIC Memory, SCY, and YXSC have also showcased their products recently, which meet the configuration requirements for “Black Myth: Wukong” and offer excellent gaming experiences.

UNIC Memory’s new Chinese-inspired brand UniWhen announced that its MoYunZangJing series uses original memory and offers various frequencies ranging from 6400 to 8000 MT/s.

It supports Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO dual-platform overclocking techniques, with capacities of 16GB2 and 24GB2, matching the demands for multi-tasking and running multiple games simultaneously.

SCY revealed that its DDR5 UDIMM RGB gaming edition memory, along with the S7000, S7000 Pro, and C7000 series SSD, can provide a buff for “Black Myth: Wukong” players.

The DDR5 UDIMM RGB gaming edition offers up to 32GB (16GBx2) to avoid lag or disconnection during intense gameplay. The S7000 series offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 7400MB/s and 6600MB/s, with up to 4TB of storage.

The S7000 Pro series reaches sequential read/write speeds of 7100MB/s and 6400MB/s, with storage options from 512GB to 4TB. The C7000 series offers sequential read/write speeds of 7000MB/s and 6100MB/s, with up to 2TB of storage, designed for handheld consoles and Steam gaming devices.

At elexcon Shenzhen International Electronics Exhibition 2024, YXSC Semiconductor demonstrated the performance of its consumer-grade PCIe SSD from the F800E/F series running “Black Myth: Wukong.” The F800E/F series features 3D TLC NAND chips, with capacities ranging from 128GB to 2048GB, and adopts the M.2 standard form factor.

Read more

• [News] “Black Myth: Wukong” Sparks Trend, Boosts Demand for Memory and Graphics Cards
• [News] Intel Unveils Two New GPUs, Manufactured on TSMC’s 4nm Process while Reportedly Targeting NVIDIA RTX 40 Series

(Photo credit: Stram)