A new version of the PCI-Express interface will be formalized shortly. It promises a serious increase in speed.

The Working Group PCI-SIG announced it was finalizing a new version of the PCI-Express interface standard especially used by the SSD and some graphics cards.

Responding on behalf of PCI-Express 4.0, this new version, which was already talked about in late 2011, should be formalized in the second half of 2014.

Compared to the current iteration, the 3.0, it will double the data transfer rate, with a theoretical maximum speed and that will increase to 16 Gbit/s per channel.

PCI-Express

It will also aim to achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs, since equipment manufacturers can keep the same speeds while using fewer channels.

Based on PCI-Express technology, Thunderbolt connectivity will also benefit from this increase in speed during the release of a new version.