Phison Launches the First Ever SSD Controller with Built-in AI Processing
In the expansive realm of PC gaming technology, it’s typically the latest solid-state drives (SSDs) that capture the spotlight. However, at this year’s Computex event, SSD specialist Phison took center stage with a groundbreaking announcement. The company introduced a novel SSD controller chip, marked by superior speed and energy efficiency compared to its competitors, plus an innovative twist—integrated AI processing to enhance, well, AI processing itself.
The star of the show is the new SSD controller, unassumingly named the E28. Recognized for its innovation, the E28 has already secured an award at Computex. Crafted using TSMC’s N6 process node, Phison claims the E28 achieves impressive random read/write rates of 2,600K and 3,000K IOPS, respectively.
To place these figures in context, consider the top-tier gaming SSD, the latest WD Black SN7100. This SSD reaches random read/write speeds of only 760K and 1,200K IOPS—a stark contrast to the E28’s capabilities. Even when compared to Phison’s own E31T chip, their best consumer-grade SSD controller, the E28’s performance is formidable. The E31T, featured in the Corsair MP700 Elite, achieves random read/write rates of 1,500K and 2,200 IOPS. The E28 significantly outpaces these results.
In addition to its exceptional speed, Phison asserts that the E28 controller utilizes 15% less power than other 6 nm SSD controllers, although they haven’t specified which models they’re specifically comparing to. Regardless, reduced power consumption translates to less heat production, which is a boon when dealing with ultra-fast storage technologies.
The secret behind the E28’s commanding random data rates is its design focus on AI workloads. The controller includes built-in circuitry to accelerate data flows during inference and token processing. Phison claims that the integrated AI acceleration could slash training times by up to 50%, an ambitious yet remarkable claim.
However, it’s important to note that the E28 isn’t intended for the average consumer, particularly not avid PC gamers. Its primary targets are high-end, cost-no-object AI workstations and servers where performance is the sole priority.
While gaming SSDs are steadily increasing their sequential read/write bandwidth, their random operation speeds remain surprisingly sluggish. The distinction lies in sequential operations, which involve a continuous data stream, versus random operations, which entail data reading or writing from disparate drive locations following an ever-changing pattern.
Random data performance is crucial to ensuring a PC feels swift and responsive. Sequential throughput is mainly advantageous for tasks like game or level loading. The fact that the E28 offers random performance up to 240% faster than the leading gaming SSD suggests that, in the foreseeable future, standard SSDs will deliver significantly more responsive user experiences.
While the E28 is set to dominate the professional AI market, its descendants and counterparts will eventually trickle down to mainstream PCs and gaming systems, bringing its extraordinary random data performance benefits to everyday users. Now, that is indeed newsworthy.
