Samsung preps PCIe 5.0 QLC SSD with a controller based on open-source RISC-V architecture — BM9K1 delivers speeds up to 11.4 GB/s for 'personal AI workloads'

Samsung has introduced the BM9K1 SSD, a PCIe 5.0 drive with QLC NAND that boasts sequential read speeds of up to 11.4 GB/s, targeting 'personal AI computing' workloads. The drive features a controller based on the open-source RISC-V architecture, offering improved energy efficiency and firmware optimization for QLC NAND management. Samsung plans to launch the BM9K1 in 2027 in capacities of 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. This move puts Samsung in competition with Micron's 3610 PCIe 5.0 QLC SSD, with Samsung's drive offering higher sequential read speeds but lower capacities.