Khalil Yazbeck, Business Development Manager – UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman at Kingston Technology, unpacks the evolution of PCIe SSDs and the practical value of Gen 3 to Gen 5 upgrades in conversation with TahawulTech
Data-intensive applications, AI-driven workloads, and immersive gaming experiences are reshaping storage performance standards. In this exclusive interview for TahawulTech, Khalil Yazbeck of Kingston Technology explores the transition from PCIe Gen 3 to Gen 5, explains key differences in speed, form factor, and compatibility, and offers practical guidance for users considering their next upgrade. He also outlines Kingston’s forward-looking plans in the high-performance storage landscape.
Interview Excerpts:
Can you walk us through the evolution of PCIe SSDs from Gen 3 to Gen 5 and explain why these generational upgrades are so important when it comes to storage performance?
Over the years, PCIe SSDs have advanced considerably with each new generation doubling the available bandwidth and significantly improving read and write speeds. PCIe Gen 3 represented a major improvement over SATA SSDs, offering speeds of around 3,500 MB/s. Gen 4 doubled that to approximately 7,000 MB/s, and now Gen 5 exceeds 14,000 MB/s. These advancements lead to faster load times, quicker file transfers, and better performance in demanding tasks such as 8K video editing, large-scale simulations, high-end gaming, and real-time AI workloads.
When it comes to speed and bandwidth, how do the data transfer speeds and bandwidth differ between Gen 3, Gen 4, and Gen 5 SSDs?
PCIe Gen 3 SSDs deliver read speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s, with a maximum bandwidth of 16 GB/s. PCIe Gen 4 builds on that foundation, doubling performance to offer speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and 32 GB/s of bandwidth. PCIe Gen 5 takes it even further, surpassing 14,000 MB/s in speed and reaching a bandwidth of 64 GB/s. At its core, each new generation approximately doubles the available bandwidth, resulting in significantly faster access to large files, reduced latency, and improved responsiveness in performance-intensive environments such as data-heavy applications, gaming, and professional content creation.
Are there specific workloads or applications where these differences are most noticeable?
The performance differences between PCIe generations become increasingly noticeable depending on the workload. Gen 3 SSDs are more than sufficient for everyday tasks such as web browsing, office applications, and media streaming. Gen 4 SSDs begin to show their advantage in more demanding scenarios like gaming, photo and video editing, and overall productivity, where faster data access can lead to smoother performance. Gen 5 SSDs, however, elevate performance to an entirely new level. They are particularly well-suited for intensive workloads such as professional video production, AI model training, large-scale software development, scientific simulations, and high-end gaming. In these environments, the dramatically increased read/write speeds and bandwidth can significantly reduce load times, accelerate data processing, and enhance overall system responsiveness.
Are there differences in form factor between Gen 3, 4, and 5 SSDs that users should be aware of?
Most consumers of PCIe SSDs, whether Gen 3, Gen 4, or Gen 5, use the M.2 2280 form factor, the industry-standard size compatible with the vast majority of modern laptops and desktops. While performance significantly improves with each generation, the physical dimensions remain largely unchanged. This consistency in form factor ensures a seamless upgrade path, allowing users to benefit from faster speeds without worrying about compatibility or installation issues.
What compatibility factors should users consider before upgrading to Gen 5?
Before upgrading to a Gen 5 SSD, users should ensure that their system is fully compatible with PCIe 5.0 technology. This includes verifying that the motherboard supports PCIe 5.0 lanes and features an M.2 slot specifically designed for Gen 5 SSDs. Equally important is the CPU, as only certain processors, such as Intel’s 13th and 14th Gen chips or AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 9000 series, are capable of delivering the necessary PCIe 5.0 support.
“Without compatible hardware across both the motherboard and processor, users won’t be able to harness the full performance potential of a Gen 5 SSD. In such cases, the drive may operate at reduced speeds, effectively limiting the benefits of the upgrade.”
How important is thermal management, especially with higher-gen SSDs?
Thermal management is absolutely essential, especially with higher-generation SSDs like Gen 5. These drives operate at significantly higher speeds, which naturally leads to increased heat output. Without effective cooling solutions, performance can throttle, resulting in reduced speed and efficiency during sustained workloads. Kingston addresses this challenge with its FURY Renegade Gen 5 SSD, engineered for optimal thermal performance. It features the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller, built on a 6nm process, which enhances energy efficiency and thermal regulation. A low-power DDR4 DRAM cache reduces overall power consumption, while an independent Buck IC ensures consistent and stable power delivery. Additionally, the 12-layer PCB design improves signal integrity and data reliability. These advanced design elements enable the Kingston FURY Renegade Gen 5 to maintain lower operating temperatures compared to many competing Gen 5 SSDs, ensuring sustained high performance even under demanding conditions.
How should users weigh cost vs. performance benefits between Gen 3, Gen 4, or Gen 5 SSDs?
When considering the balance between cost and performance, users should evaluate their specific needs and usage scenarios. For everyday computing, casual gaming, and general productivity, Gen 4 SSDs offer the ideal middle ground, delivering excellent performance at a more accessible price point. Gen 5 SSDs, on the other hand, are geared toward power users and professionals who demand top-tier speeds for tasks like 3D rendering, high-resolution video editing, scientific computing, or AI workloads. In these environments, the performance gains can translate directly into time savings and increased efficiency, making the higher investment worthwhile. Ultimately, users should align their choice with how intensively they rely on storage speed, opting for Gen 4 for balanced value, and Gen 5 when maximum performance is a priority.
Can you speak to any misconceptions around needing the “fastest” SSD available?
One common misconception is that the fastest SSD is always the best choice. While higher speeds sound appealing, most users won’t notice a significant real-world difference between Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs during everyday tasks. Unless your workflow involves heavy data transfers, high-resolution video editing, or other resource-intensive applications, a high-performance Gen 4 SSD such as the Kingston FURY Renegade, offers more than enough speed and responsiveness for the vast majority of users. In many cases, investing in the fastest SSD may not deliver proportional benefits relative to its cost.
Which generation offers the best value for money today?
Gen 4 currently offers the best balance of affordability, performance, and compatibility. It’s an ideal choice for gaming, creative workloads, and even enthusiast builds, delivering high-speed performance without the premium cost associated with Gen 5.
What practical tips would you give to someone looking to buy an SSD today? First, ensure that your motherboard and CPU are compatible with the generation of SSD you intend to purchase. Compatibility is crucial for unlocking the drive’s full performance potential. Second, choose an SSD that aligns with your actual usage needs. Unless you’re planning to future-proof your system for upcoming upgrades, there’s no need to pay a premium for performance you won’t utilize. For most users, a well-balanced Gen 4 SSD provides excellent value. Third, opt for a reputable brand known for reliability, consistent performance, and strong warranty support such as Kingston Technology. Finally, don’t overlook thermal management, especially with Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs. These higher-performance drives can generate more heat, so proper cooling is essential for maintaining peak performance and longevity.
Does Kingston offer any tools or resources to help users make informed purchasing decisions?
Kingston provides several helpful resources. Our “Ask an Expert” service offers personalized recommendations tailored to individual needs. The Kingston website features an easy-to-use configurator and compatibility tool to simplify the selection process. In addition, the company offers detailed datasheets and guides to help users choose the right drive.
Where do you see SSD technology and PCIe performance heading?
We anticipate continued advancements in sequential speeds, storage capacity, and energy efficiency, driven by ongoing innovation in SSD technology. With PCIe Gen 6 and future generations on the horizon, performance is set to scale even further, paving the way for faster data access, greater multitasking capabilities and improved support for next-gen workloads across both consumer and enterprise applications.
Can you share what’s next for Kingston in this space?
Kingston has just launched our PCIe Gen 5 SSD, marking our biggest step forward in high-performance storage. While we don’t have additional PCIe Gen announcements currently, we are looking to expand Gen 5 capacities to stay ahead of user needs across gaming, enterprise, and content creation.
