KIOXIA has introduced its first enterprise SSDs with PCIe 6.0: the CM10 series. The drives utilize 10th-generation 332-layer BiCS FLASH memory, offer capacities of up to 61.44 TB, and were specifically developed for AI workloads such as inference and context caching. The series was announced on July 30, 2026.
KIOXIA’s First PCIe 6.0 Enterprise SSD
With the CM10 series, KIOXIA claims to be the first manufacturer to launch enterprise SSDs with PCIe 6.0. The move to the new interface pays off especially in terms of speed: Compared to the previous CM9 series, the drives offer up to a 92 percent increase in sequential read speed and up to about an 85 percent increase in random read speed. For data-intensive applications in data centers, this is a noticeable difference.
For those interested in the history: The server SSD line dates back to the CM6 series with PCIe 4.0, which was released while the company was still under the Toshiba banner.
Built for AI Workloads and NVIDIA CMX
The timing is no coincidence. AI models are growing to trillions of parameters, and context windows now span millions of tokens. This is driving up the demand for fast storage for context caching. Architectures like NVIDIA CMX extend the storage hierarchy beyond GPU memory and incorporate fast flash for this purpose—and this is exactly where the CM10 series comes in, which KIOXIA has specifically designed for use with NVIDIA CMX.
“SSDs are now an essential component of the AI inference pipeline,” explains Paul Rowan, Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President at KIOXIA Europe GmbH. The CM10 series offers “exactly the performance, efficiency, and endurance required for such next-generation AI implementations.”
332-Layer BiCS FLASH and Direct Liquid Cooling
Technically, the CM10 series is based on 10th-generation BiCS FLASH with 332 layers in a TLC configuration. According to KIOXIA, the higher-density memory improves both performance and energy efficiency. An interesting detail for modern data center designs: The E3.S and E1.S form factors in 9.5 mm support Direct Cold Plate Liquid Cooling. This allows SSDs to be integrated directly into the liquid cooling system of an AI infrastructure. Traditional air cooling remains the standard for all form factors.
CM10 Series Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | KIOXIA CM10 Series |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 6.0, NVMe 2.1 |
| Storage | 10th-generation BiCS FLASH (332 layers, TLC) |
| Form Factors | E3.S, E1.S, 2.5 inches* |
| Capacities | 1.60 TB to 61.44 TB (depending on form factor) |
| Endurance | 1 DWPD (read-intensive), 3 DWPD (mixed-use) |
| Cooling | Direct Cold Plate Liquid Cooling (E3.S, E1.S 9.5 mm) + Air Cooling |
| Performance vs. CM9 | Up to +92% sequential read, up to ~85% random read |
| Standards | OCP Datacenter NVMe SSD Spec 2.7, NVMe FDP |
| Security | SIE, SED, SED FIPS 140-3 (planned), post-quantum cryptography (CNSA 2.0), SPDM 1.4 |
Availability
KIOXIA is currently shipping samples of the CM10 series to select customers. The new SSDs will be on public display at the FMS: The Future of Memory and Storage trade show, taking place August 4–6 in Santa Clara. KIOXIA has not yet announced a specific launch date or pricing.
Related: There’s plenty to discuss regarding KIOXIA’s future anyway, such as the potential merger with Western Digital.
Conclusion on the KIOXIA CM10 Series
The KIOXIA CM10 series is a clear indication of where enterprise storage is headed: PCIe 6.0, high-density 332-layer flash, and liquid cooling are entering a market driven by AI data centers. Although the series isn’t intended for end users, it demonstrates the pace at which such technology is likely to arrive on a smaller scale in the future. It will be interesting to see how quickly PCIe 6.0 makes its way from the data center to the consumer sector.
Sources: KIOXIA Europe
