Realtek launches PCIe controllers and enters the SSD controller market

Realtek, traditionally known for its audio and network solutions, is now expanding its influence in the SSD controller market.

At the 2024 Taipei International Computer Show, Realtek unveiled an ambitious SSD roadmap, which includes a high-end RTS5783 controller with PCIe Gen5 x4 interface. This development has made Realtek a noteworthy competitor in the field of SSD controllers. RTS5782 is a leader in the Realtek roadmap and is expected to significantly increase the company's market share. This high-end controller has eight NAND channels, an interface speed of 3600 MT/s, and supports 4K LDPC ECC mechanism and LPDDR4X caching. RTS5782 aims to achieve top-level performance, with sequential read speeds of up to 14000 MB/s, sequential write speeds of up to 12000 MB/s, and 4K random read/write IOPS of up to 2.5 million. At present, RTS5782 is in the planning stage and is expected to be released between 2026 and 2027.

Before RTS5782 enters the market, Realtek will launch other controllers for entry-level drives. RTS5776DL is a PCIe Gen4 x4 controller designed specifically for low-end SSDs and is currently under development. This controller has four NAND channels, supports 3D NAND with a 3600 MT/s interface, and can achieve continuous read and write speeds of up to 7400 MB/s and up to 1.2 million 4K random read and write IOPS. The engineering samples of RTS5776DL are expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The upcoming model RTS5781DL is a PCIe Gen5 x4 controller with four NAND channels. It supports 3600 MT/s 3D NAND and 4K LPDC, with a target speed of up to 10000 MB/s continuous read and up to 1.4 million 4K random read/write IOPS. The engineering samples of RTS5781DL are expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025.

Realtek's ambitious roadmap demonstrates its commitment to moving from entry-level to high-end SSD controllers. RTS5782 is a crucial step towards high-performance SSDs, aimed at making Realtek a strong competitor in the high-end market. However, the exact market release time for RTS5782 is still uncertain, especially considering that PCIe Gen6 SSDs may be available at that time. Realtek's strategic focus is to expand its SSD controller product portfolio, indicating the company's intention to diversify its products and enhance its competitive advantage. The launch of high-performance controllers such as RTS5782 reflects Realtek's intention to capture a large share of the SSD market while meeting the needs of both mainstream and high-end markets.

This transformation is not only related to new products, but also to consolidate Ruiyu's position in the semiconductor industry. Ruiyu meets different market demands through a series of controllers ranging from entry-level to high-end, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions that meet the needs of different consumers.