Micron Readies Client Storage for AI

2026-04-01 · Source: Big Data & AI News - EE Times · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation, Internet of Things (IoT) & Connected Devices · Depth: Intermediate, quick

Summary

Micron Technology has introduced the 3610 SSD, which it claims is the industry's first PCIe Gen5 QLC SSD designed for mainstream client computing, including desktops and ultra-thin laptops. This new SSD is built with Micron's G9 NAND and targets the growing demand for local AI capabilities on end-user devices, driven by privacy and data security concerns. The 3610 SSD boasts sequential read speeds up to 11,000 MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 9,300 MB/s, 1.5 million random read IOPS, and 1.6 million random write IOPS, making it "AI-ready." Its performance is enhanced by Adaptive Write Technology (AWT), which dynamically adjusts NAND cell programming, and a DRAM-less architecture combined with HMB and DEVSLP, improving performance per watt by 43% over Gen4 TLC. Micron also noted that QLC technology offers 25% more bits per wafer, addressing current NAND supply constraints.

Key takeaway

For AI Hardware Engineers designing next-generation client devices, the Micron 3610 SSD signals a shift towards high-performance QLC NAND for local AI workloads. You should evaluate PCIe Gen5 QLC solutions for their ability to handle intensive AI model loading (e.g., 20 billion parameters in under three seconds) while maintaining power efficiency and thermal management, crucial for ultra-thin, fan-less designs.

Key insights

Local AI on client devices is driving demand for high-performance, power-efficient storage solutions like PCIe Gen5 QLC SSDs.

Principles

• Privacy and data security drive local AI adoption.
• QLC NAND offers higher bit density per wafer.

Method

Adaptive Write Technology (AWT) dynamically manages QLC NAND cells to optimize performance by adjusting programming to SLC, TLC, or QLC modes based on workload and drive state.

In practice

• Use PCIe Gen5 QLC SSDs for AI-ready client devices.
• Implement DRAM-less SSDs with HMB for power efficiency.

Topics

• Micron 3610 SSD
• PCIe Gen5 QLC
• Local AI Capabilities
• Adaptive Write Technology
• Data Privacy

Best for: AI Hardware Engineer, Director of AI/ML, Tech Journalist

Related on AIssential

• Lexar unveils AI-focused storage platform at COMPUTEX 2026 — Lexar's AI Storage Core vision focuses on high-performance, efficient local storage solutions for the growing demands of edge AI.
• PCI-SIG unveils early PCIe 8.0 specification details — PCIe 8.0 significantly boosts bandwidth to 1 TB/s using PAM4 signaling, maintaining backward compatibility.
• Behind Micron’s New 256GB LPDRAM: A Culture of Co-Design With Customers — Micron Technology has begun shipping customer samples of its 256GB SOCAMM2 LPDRAM module, touted as the industry's highest capacity LPDRAM for AI data center infrastructure, doubling the capacity of i…
• Space-Station Tech Pivots to Cool AI Data Centers — Space-station derived liquid cooling and carbon nanotube TIMs are critical for managing extreme heat in next-gen AI data centers.
• Why Qualcomm Beats Apple in Chips (Explained in 6 Mins) — Qualcomm's heterogeneous NPU architecture and power management deliver superior raw AI benchmark performance over Apple's M5.
• Dell AI Factory introduces PowerRack and deskside agentic AI — Dell's AI Factory updates enable enterprises to deploy AI solutions on-premises, reducing cloud dependency and operational costs.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Big Data & AI News - EE Times.