Micron has unveiled the 6550 ION SSD, the industry’s first 60TB storage device with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. Designed for demanding applications, including AI training and inference workloads, this new SSD sets a new standard in storage solutions.
Micron’s Alvaro Toledo, vice president and general manager of the data centre storage group, called it “a game-changer for high-capacity storage solutions.” With outstanding performance, efficiency, and capacity, this SSD addresses AI workloads’ increasing power and storage demands. Here’s what you need to know about the 6550 ION SSD.
Unpacking the 6550 ION SSD’s features
Micron’s new SSD features an E3.S form factor, which delivers “best-in-class” storage density with 232 active layers. According to Micron, this innovation reduces rack storage requirements by up to 67%, making it a practical solution for data-heavy environments.
Despite its impressive storage capacity, the SSD is remarkably energy-efficient. It offers read and write speeds of 12GB/s while using just 20 watts of power, making it 20% more efficient than other drives on the market. It can also operate at 25 watts for users with higher demands, though this mode is expected to be used by a small segment of customers.
When compared to competing 60TB drives, the 6550 ION SSD offers several advantages:
- 179% faster sequential reads and higher read bandwidth per watt.
- 80% better random reads and 99% higher read IOPS per watt.
- 150% faster sequential writes and 213% better write bandwidth per watt.
Energy efficiency is a standout feature. The SSD includes active state power management (ASPM), allowing it to consume just 4 watts in low-power modes. Additionally, Micron claims the drive delivers 20% better idle efficiency than other high-capacity options.
Built for the AI era
The 6550 ION SSD is optimised for artificial intelligence workloads, providing enterprises with the speed and efficiency needed for this new era of computing. Micron highlights a 147% improvement in performance for NVIDIA® Magnum IO GPUDirect Storage (GDS) compared to competing drives, alongside a 104% improvement in energy efficiency.
The drive is also tailored for deep learning applications, offering 30% higher efficiency in Unet3D testing and a remarkable 151% faster completion time for AI model checkpointing. These advancements make the SSD ideal for businesses relying on AI to drive innovation.
Micron’s 6550 ION SSD demonstrates how modern storage solutions blend performance, capacity, and efficiency. Whether you’re managing data-intensive tasks or AI-based processes, this SSD is a powerful tool for the job.