Kioxia Unveils PCIe 6.0 SSD Exceeding 20 Million Random-Read IOPS
Kioxia’s new GP drive doubles the speed of its predecessor, aiming to challenge DRAM in AI infrastructure with third-generation XL-FLASH memory technology.
Key points
- Kioxia announced a new GP series SSD that delivers over 20 million random-read IOPS, doubling the performance of the August 2026 GP1 model.
- The drive utilizes third-generation XL-FLASH memory, which features shorter wiring and additional planes to improve read and write efficiency.
- The company also introduced the LD4 QLC drive, offering 15.36 TB and 30.72 TB capacities with a design scalable up to 122.88 TB for hyperscalers.
Kioxia announced a new edition of its GP series solid-state drive that exceeds 20 million random-read IOPS when accessing 512-byte data blocks. This performance figure roughly doubles the speed of the GP1 model unveiled in August 2026, which delivered about 10 million IOPS.
The upgraded drive relies on third-generation XL-FLASH memory technology to achieve these speeds. According to TechRadar, this new generation provides three times the reading speed and approximately 150 percent higher writing speed compared to previous iterations. Kioxia states that this technology is designed to deliver higher operation rates and lower power consumption per operation than conventional SSDs.
Technical Specifications and Architecture
The third-generation XL-FLASH improves memory access by shortening word and bit wiring to reduce RC delay. It also fits more planes in each die than the 16 found in the second generation. Kioxia forecasts that read efficiency will rise by roughly 40 percent, while write efficiency is expected to increase by 80 percent. However, the company noted that energy used by each operation is expected to keep climbing despite these efficiency gains.
The original first-generation GP1 drive used MLC cells storing two bits and operated in a faster SLC mode. It featured a 16-plane layout and maintained read latency below five microseconds. That drive was a PCIe 6.0 NVMe 2.2 device intended to allow GPUs to reach storage directly, with an endurance rating of up to 50 DWPD.
Broader Product Portfolio
Kioxia has not disclosed the endurance rating for the upgraded GP model or confirmed if it retains the PCIe 6.0 interface. However, the company indicated it will likely follow the path of its predecessor. The firm is pursuing a strategy to challenge DRAM in AI markets by offering flash storage that approaches memory-class speed. Neville Ichhaporia, SVP and GM of the SD business unit at Kioxia America, stated that scalable, efficient storage is becoming the foundation for innovation as AI drives new performance demands.
The company also exhibited the LD4, a QLC drive with one port that stores four bits per cell in E1.L format. It uses a four-lane PCIe 5 link and comes in 15.36 TB and 30.72 TB capacities. The design can scale to 122.88 TB for hyperscalers, though this remains modest compared to the Kioxia LC9’s 246 TB capacity.
What should you do?
Security and infrastructure professionals should monitor official Kioxia channels for confirmed specifications regarding the new GP drive’s interface and endurance ratings. Teams planning AI infrastructure upgrades should evaluate whether flash storage approaching memory-class speed meets their specific latency requirements. Organizations should also assess the power implications, as per-operation energy use is expected to increase.
What to do and how to stay safe: Kioxia
- Review current storage latency requirements to determine if memory-class flash storage offers a tangible benefit over existing DRAM solutions.
- Monitor vendor announcements for confirmed endurance ratings and interface compatibility for new high-performance SSDs before procurement.
- Evaluate power budget constraints in data centers, as higher operation rates may increase per-operation energy consumption.
- Assess whether PCIe 6.0 connectivity is supported by current server hardware to ensure compatibility with next-generation drives.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is the random-read speed of Kioxia's new GP drive?
The new GP drive exceeds 20 million random-read IOPS when reading 512-byte data blocks.
How does the new drive compare to the August 2026 GP1 model?
The new version roughly doubles the speed of the earlier GP1 model, which delivered about 10 million IOPS.
What capacities are available for the new LD4 drive?
The LD4 drive is available in 15.36 TB and 30.72 TB capacities, with a design scalable to 122.88 TB.
