Microchip unveils 160-lane PCIe Gen6 switch for AI data centers at FMS 2026

At FMS 2026, Microchip showcased its latest data center connectivity portfolio, headlined by a new family of Switchtec PCIe Gen6 switches scaling up to 160 lanes. The company also demonstrated its XpressConnect PCIe Gen6 retimer in action, and a cameo appearance by an Everpure DirectFlash module was spotted at the booth.

The centerpiece was the Switchtec PFX 160xG6 switch mounted on a test PCB. This next-generation PCIe switch chip is positioned to compete directly with offerings from Broadcom, Astera Labs, and Marvell. Broadcom has been the dominant force in the PCIe switch market since the Avago-PLX acquisition over a decade ago, but Microchip has kept its Switchtec line evolving, and the competitive landscape has intensified as PCIe switches transitioned from niche components in storage servers and fringe deep learning rigs to essential building blocks in modern AI infrastructure.

The PFX 160xG6 supports up to 20 ports, though real-world deployments typically use far fewer, as switches are increasingly connected to x16 GPUs and NICs. Notably, while rivals are pushing both PCIe and CXL switches in the Gen6 generation, Microchip appears to be concentrating its efforts on pure PCIe. The company also maintains a PSX line, described as a more programmable family aimed at storage platforms.

The XpressConnect PCIe Gen6 retimer, shown working at the event, is designed to maintain signal integrity at Gen6 speeds, a critical requirement as data rates climb. The retimer complements the switch family by extending reach in high-speed server and storage fabrics.

Additionally, the Everpure DirectFlash module seen at the Microchip booth highlights the company's broader storage ecosystem play, bringing direct-attached flash solutions into the fold alongside switching and retiming silicon.

With AI workloads driving unprecedented demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity, Microchip's Gen6 push positions it to capture a share of a market that has rapidly become central to data center design. The combination of 160-lane switching, retiming technology, and flash integration suggests a cohesive strategy aimed at the densest, most demanding deployments.