Introduction
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) is the industry-standard interface for connecting high-speed components like GPUs, SSDs, and network adapters. As data centers, AI workloads, and enterprise storage solutions demand ever-increasing bandwidth and low latency, choosing the right PCIe generation and supporting hardware is crucial. Each iteration of PCIe introduces higher transfer speeds, improved signal integrity, and reduced latency, making it vital to select the appropriate switches and retimers to maintain optimal performance.
As a global leader in semiconductor and connectivity solutions, Broadcom Inc. plays a key role in developing PCIe-based switches and retimers that ensure seamless data transmission across high-performance computing environments. This guide explores the differences between PCIe Gen 6, PCIe Gen 5, PCIe Gen 4, and PCIe Gen 3, compares Broadcom’s switch and retimer solutions, and provides insights into selecting the right components for your specific needs.
What Does Broadcom Do?
Broadcom Inc. is a multinational technology company specializing in semiconductors, networking, broadband, and storage solutions. The company was originally known as Broadcom Limited before Avago Technologies acquired it in 2016 and adopted the Broadcom name. Broadcom’s innovations span multiple industries, including telecommunications, data centers, enterprise networking, and industrial automation.
One of Broadcom’s most critical areas of focus is PCIe-based connectivity, offering switches and retimers that enhance system reliability and efficiency. These components are essential in data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-speed storage solutions, where high bandwidth and low latency are crucial.
Understanding PCIe Generations
Broadcom, the leader in PCI Express switching with over 1 Billion ports shipped, is driving an evolution of data center connectivity with the industry-leading family of PCIe switches and retimer solutions.
When the Broadcom switch and retimer are deployed together, this next-gen solution allows data center architects to connect 40% more slots, build systems with larger fanout and reliable signal integrity. System designers and integrators can now utilize Broadcom’s PCIe portfolio to create most advanced sub-systems with mid/backplane and cables with 50% less power than any other solution in the market.
Broadcom’s wide spanning PCIe portfolio with industry-first end to end solutions include following features and benefits:
• Broadcom In-house SerDes: 40% greater reach with hardware interoperability
• Broadcom Architecture: 50% lower power and highest lane count in the industry
• Broadcom Advanced Diagnostics: LINKCAT™ and embedded logic analyzer
• Broadcom Software: Integrated suite for ease of deployment
PEX PCIe switches can dramatically increase performance and availability. PCIe switches substantially reduce the inherent latency and power usage caused by components required to convert host PCIe data for other protocols. The result is a rack of devices that have converged into a single high-performance, scalable and high-availability compute solution.
Each PCIe generation enhances data transfer speeds, power efficiency, and system scalability. The table below compares the key differences:
| PCIe Generation | Bandwidth Per Lane | Total Bandwidth (x16) | Latency | Encoding | Power Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCIe Gen 3 | 8 GT/s | 128 GB/s | Moderate | 128b/130b | Less efficient |
| PCIe Gen 4 | 16 GT/s | 256 GB/s | Improved | 128b/130b | More efficient |
| PCIe Gen 5 | 32 GT/s | 512 GB/s | Lower | 128b/130b | High efficiency |
| PCIe Gen 6 | 64 GT/s | 1 TB/s | Lowest | PAM4 | Very high efficiency |
Key Differences
1. Bandwidth & Speed: Each PCIe generation doubles the bandwidth of the previous one, enabling faster data transmission across devices.
2. Encoding Method: PCIe Gen 6 introduces PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation), which allows higher data rates without significantly increasing signal loss.
3. Latency Reduction: PCIe Gen 6 offers the lowest latency, making it ideal for AI workloads and high-frequency trading applications.
4. Power Efficiency: As bandwidth increases, newer generations incorporate power-saving techniques to improve overall system efficiency.
Broadcom PCIe Switch and Retimer Solutions
1. PCIe Gen 6 Solutions
Broadcom’s PEX89000 series represents the latest in PCIe switching technology, tailored for high-bandwidth applications in AI, cloud computing, and storage networking.
Features:
• Supports 64 GT/s per lane with PAM4 signaling for ultra-high-speed data transmission.
• Provides low-latency packet switching, crucial for real-time AI inference and large-scale data analytics.
• Advanced error correction and signal integrity improvements ensure reliable data transfer.
• Ideal for next-generation AI, ML, and high-performance computing workloads.
2. PCIe Gen 5 Solutions
Broadcom’s PEX88000 series is designed for cloud computing, enterprise storage, and high-speed networking.
Features:
• Supports 32 GT/s per lane, offering 512 GB/s bandwidth on a x16 link.
• Optimized for next-gen SSDs, GPUs, and high-speed networking equipment.
• Includes enhanced signal integrity features, reducing jitter and noise in complex PCB layouts.
• Best suited for NVMe storage expansion, high-performance workstations, and cloud computing.
3. PCIe Gen 4 Solutions
The PEX9700 series from Broadcom is designed for enterprise computing, telecom infrastructure, and storage applications.
Features:
• Supports 16 GT/s per lane, enabling up to 256 GB/s total bandwidth.
• Incorporates low-latency packet switching, crucial for time-sensitive applications.
• Advanced error detection and correction ensure reliable data transfer.
• Recommended for networking, telecom, and legacy enterprise computing applications.
4. PCIe Gen 3 Solutions
Though older, PCIe Gen 3 remains widely used in legacy enterprise, industrial, and networking solutions. Broadcom’s PEX8600 series provides robust PCIe Gen 3 support.
Features:
• Supports 8 GT/s per lane, delivering 128 GB/s bandwidth on a x16 link.
• Cost-effective solution for servers, storage controllers, and networking equipment.
• Best choice for legacy data centers, industrial automation, and cost-sensitive applications.
Choosing the Right PCIe Solution
Selecting the right PCIe solution depends on performance needs, scalability, and compatibility.
| Application | Recommended PCIe Generation | Broadcom Solution |
| AI/ML Workloads | PCIe Gen 6 | PEX89000 |
| High-speed Storage | PCIe Gen 5 | PEX88000 |
| Cloud Computing | PCIe Gen 5 | PEX88000 |
| Enterprise Servers | PCIe Gen 4 | PEX9700 |
| Industrial Computing | PCIe Gen 3 | PEX8600 |
Where to Buy
Finding the right Broadcom PCIe switches and retimers is essential for ensuring system reliability and performance. Here are some recommended sources:
• Authorized Distributors: Leading semiconductor distributors such as Digi-Key, Mouser Electronics, Arrow Electronics, and Avnet stock a wide range of Broadcom products.
• Broadcom Official Website: You can explore product specifications and purchasing options directly at Broadcom’s official site.
• AIChipLink.com: A trusted supplier of electronic components, offering a selection of Broadcom PCIe solutions for various applications.
• Enterprise Resellers: Large-scale IT solution providers such as CDW and Newegg Business often carry Broadcom products for enterprise clients.
FAQ
1. What is Broadcom?
Broadcom is a leading semiconductor company that provides high-performance networking, storage, and connectivity solutions. The company is known for its PCIe switches and retimers, which optimize data transfer in enterprise and high-performance computing environments.
2. What is a PCIe switch?
A PCIe switch expands PCIe lanes, allowing multiple devices to share a PCIe connection efficiently. This is crucial for data centers, storage arrays, and AI workloads.
3. What is a PCIe retimer?
A PCIe retimer improves signal integrity in high-speed PCIe links, compensating for signal loss and jitter. Retimers are essential for long PCB traces and high-frequency applications.
4. Why is PCIe Gen 6 important?
PCIe Gen 6 doubles the bandwidth of PCIe Gen 5 using PAM4 encoding, making it the preferred choice for AI, machine learning, and next-gen cloud infrastructure.
5. Which PCIe generation is best for gaming?
PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 offer optimal performance for gaming, ensuring faster load times, higher frame rates, and reduced latency for GPUs and SSDs.
Conclusion
Modern data centers require solutions that offer maximum performance with minimal power consumption. While compute and storage devices have native PCIe for internal communication, they all use different technologies, such as Ethernet or InfiniBand, to connect externally.
Broadcom offers a broad portfolio of industry leading PCIe Switches that are very high performance, low latency, low power, multi-purpose, highly flexible and highly configurable. Now Broadcom, the leader in PCI Express switching, is driving an evolution of the data center with its next-generation of switches featuring ExpressFabric technology.
The right PCIe switch or retimer depends on bandwidth needs, application type, and system scalability. Broadcom Inc. provides industry-leading solutions across all PCIe generations, ensuring high-speed data transfer, reliability, and efficiency. By leveraging Broadcom Limited’s expertise, businesses can optimize their AI workloads, cloud computing, enterprise storage, and networking performance with the right PCIe solution.
Written by Icey Ye from AIChipLink.
AIChipLink, one of the fastest-growing global independent electronic component distributors in the world, offers millions of products from thousands of manufacturers, and many of our in-stock parts is available to ship same day.
We mainly source and distribute integrated circuit (IC) products of brands such as Broadcom, Microchip, Texas Instruments, Infineon, NXP, Analog Devices, Qualcomm, Intel, etc., which are widely used in communication & network, telecom, industrial control, new energy and automotive electronics.
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