SK Hynix launches H-TPU processor using just 4% of CPU space and 2.5% of power

As AI spreads, data centers are hitting new bottlenecks in memory and storage. The old CPU-based design inside SSD controllers is running out of room to grow.

SK Hynix unveiled its new "H-TPU" architecture at the ISOCC 2026 conference in Incheon, South Korea. It splits the processor into dozens of small functional clusters to get around the power and space limits of regular CPUs.

The H-TPU uses a simple four-stage pipeline. It takes up only 1/25 of the space of a regular CPU core and uses about 2.5% of its power. Unused modules switch to a low-power mode, which cuts overall energy use a lot.

H-TPU is not an AI computing accelerator. It's a programmable processor that controls SSD data. SK Hynix plans to use it across its NAND storage products and next-gen AI storage setups, teaming it up with HBF high bandwidth flash for better results.