PCIe 7.0 reaches its “Final Draft” – 4x Bandwidth boost over PCIe 5.0
PCIe 7.0 is almost ready to launch – Next-gen connectivity is coming!
PCI-SIG has released version 0.9 of its PCIe 7.0 specification, moving the standard one step closer to launch. Now, PCIe 7.0 has reached its “final draft” stage, which means that no further changes to the standard are expected ahead of launch. Unless any PCI-SIG members want to make any changes, PCIe 7.0 is essentially ready to launch.
PCIe 7.0 will deliver a 4x increase in bandwidth compared to PCIe 5.0, which is commonly available on new PCs.This new standard creates a pathway towards faster SSDs, stronger AI accelerators, and superior graphics cards. At CES 2025, we saw Phison push the limits of PCIe 5.0 with their “Ultimate Gen5” E28 SSD controller, clearly showing the need for faster interconnects.
The PCIe 7.0 standard is due to be released in 2025, creating an upgrade path for users of the PCI Express standard. Below are some of the improvements that PCIe 7.0 will feature.
- Delivering 128 GT/s raw bit rate and up to 512 GB/s bi-directionally via x16 configuration
- Utilizing PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 levels) signaling
- Focusing on the channel parameters and reach
- Continuing to deliver low-latency and high-reliability targets
- Improving power efficiency
- Maintaining backwards compatibility with all previous generations of PCIe technology
I am excited to share that PCI-SIG has released the PCI Express (PCIe) 7.0 specification, version 0.9 for member review. Version 0.9 is the final draft of the specification wherein members perform internal reviews of the technology for their essential patents. No additional functional changes are expected during this time, and we are on track to publish the full specification later this year. With this update, PCI-SIG is proud to continue our frequency of doubling the data rate every three years – from 64 GT/s of PCIe 6.0 specification to 128 GT/s raw bit rate.
PCIe’s development is ahead of schedule
PCI-SIG aims to double the bandwidth of their PCIe standard every three years. With PCI Express 7, PCI-SIG will have delivered 512 GB/s of bandwidth three years ahead of schedule. This is good news for users of the PCI Express standard, as this gives them a clear upgrade path. Without this upgrade path, PCI-SIG members would need to consider alternative standards whenever they need more bandwidth. By continuously improving PCIe, PCI-SIG can maintain PCI Express as the gold standard of PC connectivity.
How powerful is PCIe 7.0?
Every iteration of the PCIe standard promises a 2x boost in available bandwidth. PCIe 4.0 is 2x faster than PCIe 3.0, PCIe 5.0 is 2x faster than PCIe 4.0, and PCIe 6.0 is 2x faster than PCIe 5.0. As you can guess, PCI Express version 7.0 will be two times faster than version 6.0.
With this upcoming version of the PCIe standard, 512 GB/s of bi-directional bandwidth should be available through a standard 16x PCIe configuration. With an 8x boost over version 4.0, this new standard will be able to deliver the same bandwidth as a 16x 4.0 config with a new 2x 7.0 configuration.
This new PCIe standard will enable the creation of M.2 SSDs that can deliver sequential read speeds of 50+GB/s. That’s insane! It will also make high-speed networking a lot more commonplace, with PCI-SIG stating that this new PCIe standard will also be helpful for AI/Machine Learning, hyperscalers, quantum computing, and more.
Do we really need PCIe 7.0?
Today, high-end PCs use PCIe 5.0 connectivity. The PC industry has yet to adopt the PCIe 6.0 standard, making many wonder why PCIe 7.0 is necessary. So why does PCI Express 7 need to exist? The simple answer is that it creates a path forward.
If faster versions of PCIe are available, manufacturers do not need to invest in proprietary interconnect standards to increase their available bandwidth. These moves ensure that PCIe will remain relevant well into the future and that strong backward compatibility can be maintained. Simply put, it prevents a fragmented PC/computing market.
Another aspect of PCIe 7.0 is that it allows users to do more with less. A single PCIe 7.0 lane can offer users the same bandwidth as sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes. Beyond that, PCIe 7.0’s focus on increasing the standard’s efficiency will impact both high-bandwidth and low-bandwidth devices. Delivering more bandwidth for less power is good for everyone.
PCI-SIG hopes to continue doubling the bandwidth PCI Express offers every three years. PCIe 7.0 is the latest target for its hardware roadmap. Next up is PCIe 8.0, which should offer users 1TB/s of bandwidth over x16 lanes!
PCIe 7.0 is expected to be standardised and released to PCI-SIG members in 2025. Devices that support PCIe 7.0 will likely come in the years following this, likely in 2027/2028 and beyond. That said, we are yet to see the industry adopt PCIe 6.0, though a shift to PCIe 6.0 is coming.
You can join the discussion on PCIe 7.0 reaching its “Final Draft” stage on the OC3D Forums.
