Latest-generation SSDs with a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface for client PCs are already very fast, but there are applications that can take advantage of even higher throughput. Advanced motherboards tend to have multiple M.2 slots and support RAID, but for some people even this is not enough. For those who demand an extremely high-performance storage subsystem, HighPoint developed an SSD RAID card that can carry eight PCIe 4.0 x4 drives. 

The HighPoint SSD7540 card is based on the company’s own chipset that acts like a PCIe Gen 4 switch and supports that company’s RAID technology. The card has eight M.2-2280 slots to support up to eight NVMe drives configured to act independently or into one or more RAID 0, 1, and 10 (1/0) configurations providing both security and speed. HighPoint says that, when fully populated, the board can offer up to 64TB of storage and read/write speeds of up to 28GB/s.  

To ensure that the drives get enough power, the HighPoint SSD7540 has a six-pin auxiliary power connector. Meanwhile, to ensure proper cooling for the SSDs, it is equipped with a massive heatsink with two fans. 

The HighPoint SSD7540 adapter is now available in Japan for ¥139,500 ($1,330) without tax, according to PC Watch. While the price is definitely not low, eight SSDs also cost a lot of money. Meanwhile, those who actually need a storage subsystem with a 28GBps throughput are rarely on budget.