Smart Modular @ COMPUTEX 2025: Enterprise-grade CXL memory solutions for absolute reliability
At COMPUTEX 2025, SMART Modular Technologies shifted the spotlight away from RGB lighting and silicon buzz by unveiling enterprise-grade memory solutions centered on Compute Express Link (CXL).
The company showcased CXL-based add-in cards (AICs) and persistent memory modules designed to boost server capacity and efficiency in AI, big data, and in-memory database environments. Built on PCIe, CXL (Compute Express Link) offers low-latency, high-bandwidth communication between CPUs and external memory devices. This architecture enables memory expansion and pooling without the need to overhaul existing server platforms.
Thus, the brand is leveraging this with two CXL-enabled solutions: plug-and-play AICs for rapid memory scaling, and E3.S-form-factor CMM modules for persistent memory needs.
The CXL AICs allow servers to add hundreds of gigabytes – up to 1TB – of additional memory via standard PCIe slots. The cards come in 4-DIMM and 8-DIMM configurations and maintain low latency (around 310ns), significantly outperforming traditional NVMe SSDs in terms of memory responsiveness.
This modular approach allows data centers to scale memory precisely to their workload requirements, enabling better resource efficiency. SMART estimates up to 40% cost savings in 1TB memory setups compared to upgrading CPUs for additional DIMM support.
Meanwhile, they also introduced their CMM E3.S modules, including the NV-CMM, a non-volatile memory solution combining DRAM, flash storage, and backup power. These modules retain data during power loss and are built for checkpointing, system recovery, and high-reliability applications.
The E3.S 2T form factor ensures compatibility with high-density server environments, aligning with emerging trends in compact, modular server design.
By enabling memory disaggregation and pooling, SMART Modular’s CXL solutions reduce wasted memory capacity that typically sits unused in traditional architectures. The company reports up to a 10% reduction in memory resource pool demand and approximately a 5% drop in total server costs from improved memory management.
As AI models grow in complexity and data center workloads become more memory-bound, CXL-based memory expansion is gaining attention as a practical alternative to frequent CPU and platform upgrades. SMART Modular’s approach allows organizations to extend the life of existing infrastructure while scaling performance to meet future demand.
