PCI Express 8.0 Specification to Reach 256 GT/s: Doubling Bandwidth Every Three Years

PCI-SIG has announced the PCI Express 8.0 specification, which doubles the data rate to 256 GT/s, maintaining the tradition of doubling bandwidth every three years. The specification aims to support emerging applications like AI, high-speed networking, and Edge computing, and is planned for release to members by 2028. The PCIe 8.0 specification will deliver 256 GT/s raw bit rate and up to 1 TB/s bi-directionally via x16 configuration.

The PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG) has announced the PCI Express 8.0 specification, which doubles the data rate to 256 GT/s, maintaining the tradition of doubling bandwidth every three years. The specification aims to support emerging applications like artificial intelligence (AI), high-speed networking, and edge computing, and is planned for release to members by 2028 [1].

The PCIe 8.0 specification will deliver 256 GT/s raw bit rate and up to 1 TB/s bi-directionally via x16 configuration. This significant increase in bandwidth is expected to cater to the growing demand for high-speed data transfer in data-intensive applications. According to Reece Hayden, principal analyst at ABI Research, quoted by the PCI-SIG, "As artificial intelligence and other data-intensive applications continue to scale rapidly, PCIe technology demand will be sustained in the long run due to its high bandwidth, scalability, and power efficiency" [1].

The announcement comes as no surprise, given the consistent iterative development of PCI Express standards by the PCI-SIG. The PCIe 7 specification, projected to be released in 2027, was announced in June 2022, with the existence of PCIe 8 hinted at without specific bandwidth data [1]. The PCIe 6.0 specification, with a bandwidth of 64 GT/s per lane, was recently validated by Anritsu Corporation in collaboration with AMD, achieving a maximum data rate of 64 GT/s [2].

The first PCI Express 6.0 SSD, the Micron 9650, was released last week, but it is primarily aimed at data centers rather than consumer PCs. The PCI-SIG anticipates that the initial PCIe 8.0 devices will also be used for AI and machine learning, followed by high-speed networking and quantum computing [1].

However, the significant increase in bandwidth comes with challenges, particularly thermal issues. The PCI-SIG and device manufacturers will need to address these challenges as they plan to integrate PCI Express 6 and 7 into their PC roadmaps, and eventually, PCI Express 8. The increased heat generated by the higher bandwidth will require innovative cooling solutions [1].

In conclusion, the PCIe 8.0 specification marks a significant milestone in the evolution of PCI Express technology, positioning it to meet the future demands of high-speed data transfer in various emerging applications. The industry's continued investment in PCI Express standards ensures that the bandwidth requirements will be supported well into the future.

References:
[1] https://www.pcworld.com/article/2864978/pcie-8s-ludicrously-fast-speeds-break-the-terabyte-barrier.html
[2] https://timestech.in/anritsu-and-amd-showcase-electrical-pci-express-compliance-up-to-64-gt-s/