Is SFF 8087 still mainstream or has it been phased out？
In today's data centers, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence fields, the demand for high-speed data transmission is driving the rapid development of connection technologies. Among them, SFF 8087 cable, PCIe Gen5 cable, and MCIO 74 Pin Cable, as key components, play core roles in different scenarios. This article will delve into the technical features, application scenarios, and future trends of these three types of cables, helping readers fully understand their importance in the modern computing ecosystem.
SFF 8087 Cable: The Classic Choice for Storage Connections
The SFF 8087 cable is a high-speed connection solution based on the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) standard, widely used in storage systems and server backplanes. This cable adopts a high-density design and typically supports multi-channel data transmission. Each SFF 8087 cable can provide 4 SAS channels, with a total bandwidth of up to 24 Gbps (under the SAS 3.0 standard). The durability and reliability of the SFF 8087 cable make it an ideal choice for enterprise-level storage environments, and many data centers still rely on SFF 8087 cables to connect hard disk arrays and RAID controllers.
In practical applications, SFF 8087 cables are often used to connect JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) and storage expansion cabinets. For example, a typical storage system may use multiple SFF 8087 cables to achieve redundant connections, ensuring high data availability. As technology evolves, SFF 8087 cables have gradually supported higher speeds, but their core advantage lies in backward compatibility, enabling a smooth transition for existing infrastructure. Despite the emergence of new standards, SFF 8087 cables still hold an important position in traditional systems, and many operation and maintenance teams prefer to use SFF 8087 cables for maintenance and upgrades.
PCIe Gen5 cable: The Engine of Next-Generation Performance
The PCIe Gen5 cable represents the latest advancement in Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) technology, offering a unidirectional bandwidth of up to 32 GT/s (gigatransfers per second), which is twice that of PCIe 4.0. This PCIe Gen5 cable is specifically designed for high-performance computing, GPU acceleration, and NVMe storage, significantly reducing data bottlenecks. Each PCIe Gen5 cable is typically made of low-loss materials to minimize signal attenuation and ensure signal integrity over long distances.
In the fields of AI training and scientific computing, the PCIe Gen5 cable becomes a key component for connecting GPU clusters to hosts. For instance, a server might expand external graphics cards through multiple PCIe Gen5 cables to double computing power. Compared to earlier versions, the PCIe Gen5 cable has been optimized for power management and thermal design, supporting more efficient cooling solutions. As PCIe Gen5 cables become more widespread, manufacturers are introducing compatible switches and adapters to further expand their application scenarios. In the future, PCIe Gen5 cables are expected to be combined with CXL (Compute Express Link) technology to enhance memory consistency.
MCIO 74 Pin Cable: The Future Star of High-Density Integration
The MCIO (Multi-Channel I/O) 74 Pin Cable is an emerging high-density connection standard promoted by the PCI-SIG organization, aiming to address the dual demands of modern systems for space and bandwidth. This MCIO 74 Pin Cable supports up to four PCIe channels and can be flexibly configured for PCIe Gen5 or higher versions. Compared to traditional interfaces, the compact design of the MCIO 74 Pin Cable makes it highly favored in blade servers and edge devices.
In practical deployments, the MCIO 74 Pin Cable is often used to connect NVMe SSDs and host bus adapters for low-latency storage access. For example, a cloud service provider might use MCIO 74 Pin Cables to build all-flash arrays, enhancing I/O performance. Additionally, the MCIO 74 Pin Cable has a plug-and-pull durability of tens of thousands of times, making it ideal for environments requiring frequent maintenance. As the standard evolves, the MCIO 74 Pin Cable is gradually replacing some SFF 8087 cable applications, especially in scenarios demanding higher bandwidth. Many manufacturers have integrated the MCIO 74 Pin Cable into their latest platforms to ensure future compatibility.
Technology Convergence and Market Outlook
SFF 8087 cables, PCIe Gen5 cables, and MCIO 74 Pin Cables do not exist in isolation but work together in many systems. For instance, an AI server might use a PCIe Gen5 cable to connect GPUs, manage traditional storage through SFF 8087 cables, and expand high-speed NVMe devices with MCIO 74 Pin Cables. This combination fully leverages the advantages of each cable to meet diverse requirements. From the perspective of market trends, the SFF 8087 cable maintains a stable demand in the existing market, while the PCIe Gen5 cable and the MCIO 74 Pin Cable continue to evolve with the introduction of PCIe 6.0. In the future, we may witness more integrated designs, such as the MCIO 74 Pin Cable supporting the PCIe Gen5 cable standard, or hybrid solutions that are backward compatible with the SFF 8087 cable. For enterprise users, making a reasonable choice among these cables is crucial - the SFF 8087 cable is suitable for cost-sensitive scenarios, the PCIe Gen5 cable meets high-performance requirements, and the MCIO 74 Pin Cable stands out in space-constrained environments. In summary, the SFF 8087 cable, PCIe Gen5 cable, and MCIO 74 Pin Cable jointly shape the future of high-speed connections. By understanding their technical details, users can better optimize their infrastructure and meet the challenges of the data deluge.
Post time: Nov-28-2025
