Kioxia aims to replace expensive DRAM with high-speed SSDs to address AI memory demands

Japanese memory manufacturer Kioxia is developing new flash memory solutions to mitigate the rising costs and capacity constraints of DRAM in AI-driven data centers. By leveraging PCIe 6.0 SSDs and CXL-compatible memory expansion modules, such as the upcoming XL1 series, the company aims to bridge the performance gap between traditional NAND and DRAM. These technologies allow for increased memory capacity by offloading specific workloads from costly DRAM to high-speed flash storage. Kioxia’s GP1 series and CM10 enterprise SSDs are designed to enhance data throughput and thermal management in intensive AI environments. While the company does not intend to fully replace DRAM, it positions these innovations as a strategic supplement to existing server architectures. Evaluation units for the XL1 series are expected to reach partners by August 2026, with further technical details to be unveiled at FMS 2026 in Santa Clara.