Samsung Electronics Co. has announced the commencement of mass production for a new solid-state drive (SSD) designed specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) personal computers. The South Korean leader in advanced memory technology has unveiled the PM9E1, a PCIe 5.0 SSD reputed for offering the highest performance and largest capacity in the industry. Notably, the PM9E1 boasts over a 50% improvement in power efficiency, providing extended battery life suitable for on-device AI applications.
With the introduction of the PM9E1, Samsung plans to broaden its advanced SSD lineup for global PC manufacturers. The company anticipates launching additional PCIe 5.0-based consumer products to strengthen its leadership position in the on-device AI market.
This SSD integrates Samsung’s proprietary 5-nanometer-based controller alongside its eighth-generation V-NAND (V8) technology, delivering unprecedented performance and enhanced power efficiency. According to Samsung, these features make the PM9E1 a superior choice for AI-powered PCs.
Comparatively, the PM9E1 surpasses its predecessor, the PM9A1a, in various facets such as performance, storage capacity, power efficiency, and security. The newest SSD iteration boasts a doubling of sequential read and write speeds from the previous generation, reaching up to 14.5 gigabytes per second (GB/s) and 13 GB/s, respectively. This enhanced capability facilitates quicker data transfers, even for data-heavy AI applications, enabling a 14GB large language model (LLM) to move from the SSD to DRAM in under one second.
Offering multiple storage solutions, the PM9E1 is available in 512GB, 1 terabyte (TB), 2TB, and an industry-leading 4TB capacity, catering to PC users requiring substantial storage for large files.
To bolster security, Samsung has implemented Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM) v1.2 within the PM9E1.
YongCheol Bae, Executive Vice President of Memory Product Planning at Samsung Electronics, remarked, "Our PM9E1 with a 5nm controller delivers cutting-edge power efficiency and unrivaled performance, as endorsed by our key partners. In the swiftly expanding on-device AI era, Samsung's PM9E1 will provide a strong foundation for global customers to strategically manage their AI assets."
Additionally, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Samsung, alongside Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd., is considering constructing significant new factories in the United Arab Emirates over the coming years, aiming to satisfy the escalating demand for AI computing. These potential projects in the UAE could exceed $100 billion in costs.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg has indicated that Samsung is contemplating reducing its global workforce by thousands, with job cuts potentially affecting staff in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, while sparing positions in South Korea. These layoffs might impact about 10% of employees in these regions.
