When it comes to technology, the promise of something better is always just around the corner. In the world of storage, that next big leap is PCIe Gen 6 SSDs. With speeds projected to double that of PCIe Gen 5, it’s hard not to wonder: should you hold out for PCIe Gen 6, or is now the time to invest in current-generation SSDs?
Let’s break it down.
What Is PCIe Gen 6?
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is the high-speed interface that allows your SSD, GPU, and other peripherals to communicate with your CPU. Each new generation offers greater bandwidth. PCIe Gen 5 delivers up to 32 GT/s, but Gen 6 is expected to hit 64 GT/s, doubling the potential data throughput. This means faster read and write speeds for SSDs, enabling blazing performance for data-intensive workloads.
But here’s the catch: the technology is still in its infancy. While manufacturers have announced PCIe Gen 6 hardware, widespread adoption in SSDs, motherboards, and systems is likely a year or more away. In addition, latency and other issues mean that the Gen5 H/W currently available doesn’t perform markedly better than Gen 4 in most applications.
What Are You Using Your System For?
The decision to wait depends largely on your use case. Let’s look at some scenarios:
- Content Creators & Video Editors
If you’re working with massive 8K video files or high-resolution 3D assets, faster SSDs can significantly reduce render and transfer times. PCIe Gen 5 SSDs already offer mind-blowing speeds up to 14,000 MB/s, which is plenty for even the most demanding tasks today. Unless your workflow requires constant handling of terabyte-scale datasets, Gen 5 will be more than sufficient for the next few years. - Gamers
Most modern games don’t come close to saturating the bandwidth of PCIe Gen 4 SSDs, let alone Gen 5. While upcoming titles may benefit from faster asset streaming, PCIe Gen 6 won’t likely transform the gaming experience anytime soon. Features like DirectStorage, which reduces load times, rely on existing Gen 4 and Gen 5 speeds, making the wait for Gen 6 unnecessary for most gamers. - Enterprise & Data Centers
For businesses handling large-scale databases or AI training, the higher bandwidth and lower latency of PCIe Gen 6 will be game-changing. However, enterprise adoption will also depend on infrastructure upgrades, which often lag behind consumer tech. - Rugged Portable computers
For some bleeding edge compute cases there may be applications for very fast SSD’s. Even so, it’s likely to be a year to 18 months until such systems are available.
What About Compatibility?
PCIe is backward compatible, but to take advantage of Gen 6 speeds, you’ll need a motherboard, CPU, and SSD that all support the new standard. Currently, even PCIe Gen 5 is only just becoming mainstream, with limited support outside of the latest Intel and AMD platforms.
Investing in PCIe Gen 5 hardware now ensures you’re ready for the future while still enjoying cutting-edge performance. Waiting for Gen 6, on the other hand, might leave you sitting on the sidelines longer than expected.
The Price?
New technology comes at a premium. When PCIe Gen 5 SSDs first hit the market, they carried hefty price tags, and Gen 6 will likely follow suit. Early adopters always pay more. In contrast, Gen 5 drives are becoming more affordable, offering excellent performance at a reasonable cost.
Should You Wait or Buy Now?
Here’s the bottom line: unless you’re an early adopter or your workload demands the absolute latest technology, there’s little reason to wait for PCIe Gen 6. The current crop of PCIe Gen 5 SSDs provides extraordinary performance for almost every use case. Even PCIe Gen 4 SSDs remain a solid option for budget-conscious users.
By the time PCIe Gen 6 becomes widely available, the ecosystem will be more mature, and prices will likely stabilize. For now, investing in PCIe Gen 5 ensures you’ll get cutting-edge performance without the uncertainty of waiting.
Future-Proofing Without the Wait
If you’re upgrading today, make sure your system supports PCIe Gen 5. Look for motherboards with PCIe 5.0 slots and CPUs like Intel’s Xeon, 13th Gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 series.
At COTS Computers, we specialize in rugged and high-performance computing solutions. Whether you need blazing-fast storage for mission-critical applications or are exploring the future of PCIe technology, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to learn more!