Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage at CES 2025, bringing a key challenge for tech giants into focus: balancing high performance with power efficiency amid growing computational demands. In CES 2025, Silicon Motion Technology introduced its PCIe Gen5 SSD controller, the SM2508, specifically designed to address this need. Leading brands like ADATA Technology, BIWIN, and Lexar showcased a range of next-generation PCIe Gen5 SSD products powered by the SM2508 controller. Meanwhile, Fanxiang unveiled several storage solutions featuring the SM2320 controller, demonstrating Silicon Motion Technology's extensive expertise in storage controller innovations.
CES 2025 – Striking the Perfect Balance Between High Performance and Power Efficiency in the Computational Era
The SM2508 capitalizes on TSMC's 6nm EUV process technology to slash power consumption by 50% compared to 12nm solutions. Its PCIe Gen5 implementation operates below 7 watts, delivering a 70% improvement in energy efficiency. Equipped with an advanced 8-channel architecture, the SM2508 supports capacities of up to 8TB. It is paired with a NAND flash interface speed of up to 3600MT/s, enabling sequential read/write speeds of 14.5GB/s and 13.6GB/s, respectively. The controller also delivers random read/write performance exceeding 2.5 million IOPS, representing a threefold improvement over its predecessor.
At CES 2025, ADATA Technology showcased its new MARS 970 series, introducing two SSDs powered by the SM2508 controller for desktops and laptops. The MARS 970 STORM, designed for desktop computers, features an ARM Cortex R8 real-time computing architecture and an 8-channel NAND flash design. It achieves sequential read speeds of 14,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of 12,000MB/s. Combined with XPG's exclusive hybrid liquid-air cooling system, it is particularly suited for high-load applications such as AAA gaming, high-performance workstations, and AI computing. The MARS 970 BLADE, designed for laptops, breaks the limitation of large heatsinks typically required for PCIe Gen5 SSDs. It delivers sequential read speeds of 12,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of 11,000MB/s, while an innovative ultra-thin heatsink design ensures excellent cooling without increasing the laptop's thickness or weight. ADATA Technology expressed its intention to continue deepening its partnership with Silicon Motion Technology, expanding the application of PCIe Gen5 technology to develop diversified storage solutions such as USB devices and external SSDs, catering to various market demands and providing comprehensive storage products for both consumer and enterprise users.
Another storage giant, BIWIN (BIWIN STORAGE TECHNOLOGY), also exhibited a range of new storage products powered by Silicon Motion Technology controllers. Among them, the flagship PCIe Gen5 SSDs X570 PRO and Predator GM9000, both utilizing the SM2508 controller, offer read speeds of 14,000MB/s and write speeds of 13,000MB/s, along with up to 4GB of DRAM cache. These features, along with smart optimization mechanisms, significantly enhance data processing and multitasking capabilities. With a high-quality 3D TLC NAND flash memory design, the random access performance reaches 2 million IOPS, meeting the stringent demands of high-end users for professional workstations and gaming computations. For portable storage solutions, BIWIN introduced the Amber PR2000 external SSD powered by the SM2320 controller. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 specifications, offering read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s and write speeds of 1,800MB/s, providing high-performance mobile storage for professionals.
Lexar presented several products based on its latest collaborations with Silicon Motion Technology. Among them, the SL500 external SSD, a recipient of the 2025 CES Innovation Award, features an innovative magnetic design for direct attachment to a smartphone's back and supports 4K 120fps high-quality video recording, catering to the mobile shooting needs of content creators. Another key product is the NM1090 Pro SSD, developed for PC gamers, which is powered by the SM2508 controller built using Silicon Motion Technology's 6nm process. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 14GB/s and write speeds of 12GB/s, nearly doubling the performance of PCIe 4.0 products. Thanks to the advanced manufacturing process of the SM2508 controller, this product not only effectively manages heat dissipation during high-speed operation but also maintains stable performance and excellent energy efficiency during professional applications such as 4K/8K video editing, AI model training and high-performance graphics computing.
At CES 2025, Fanxiang showcased several new products powered by Silicon Motion SM2320 controller. Silicon Motion's SM2320 portable SSD controller is equipped with both Type-C and USB-A interfaces, supporting transmission speeds of 20Gbps and 10Gbps, respectively. Despite its compact size—roughly that of a USB flash drive—it delivers outstanding performance, transferring 4GB of video in just 2 seconds, even in low-temperature environments. This makes it particularly well-suited for mobile professionals, content creators, and business users.
As the AI computing era unfolds, the balance between storage device performance and power consumption becomes increasingly important. At CES 2025, leading storage companies such as ADATA Technology, BIWIN, Lexar, and Fanxiang showcased several products powered by Silicon Motion Technology controllers. Whether it's the high-speed read/write performance sought by gamers, the stable computational performance demanded by professional workstations, or the need for thin and efficient cooling in laptops, Silicon Motion Technology's solutions cater to these diverse requirements. Looking to the future, Silicon Motion Technology is committed to deepening its relationships with customers and partners, seizing opportunities in the next generation of storage technology.
Lexar - NM1090 Pro SSD
Credit: Lexar
BIWIN - X570 SSD
Credit: Biwin
Adata - MARS 970 STORM SSD
Credit: Adata
Adata - MARS 970 BLADE SSD
Credit: Adata