Intel's Plans for New SSDs in 2012 Detailed

News
By Doug Crowthers
published

Based on a roadmap slide posted by VR-Zone, Intel looks to be paving way for new versions for each SSD market segments (SSD, PCIe and mSATA) in 2012.

VR-Zone

Through first quarter of 2012, Intel will be releasing new SSDs: Intel SSD 520 "Cherryville" Series (replacement for the Intel SSD 510 Series), Intel SSD 710 "Lyndonville" Series (Enterprise HET-MLC SSD replacement for X25-E series), and Intel SSD 720 "Ramsdale" Series (PCIe based SSD). In addition, you will be seeing two additional mSATA SSDs codenamed "Hawley Creek" by the end of the fourth quarter 2011.

Starting with the second quarter 2012, Intel looks to be launching "Ramsdale MLC" PCI-Express SSD, a variant of Ramsdale that uses HET-MLC NAND flash memory, instead of SLC. The capacities will double from 200/400 GB versions to 400/800 GB versions. HET-MLC gives the write endurance comparable to a SLC SSD, while getting the capacity advantage that MLC offers to users (Spoiler: Look for more details on HET-MLC on an upcoming review of the Intel SSD 710 Series - coming soon!). In addition, Intel plans to launch codename "King Crest", a successor of SSD 520 "Cherryville" series. The drive is set to utilize a SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface and 25 nm HET-MLC NAND flash instead of regular 25 nm NAND flash found on SSD 520 series.

Third quarter 2012, we see Intel set to launch codenamed "Taylorsville", which looks set to be successor of the SSD 710 series. "Taylorsville" will be available in capacities of 800 GB, 400 GB, and 200 GB. It will follow suit with the SSD 710 series and will use HET-MLC NAND flash memory, along with SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface. To finish off Q3 '12, Intel is set to launch codenamed "Lincoln Crest", which looks set to be successor of the SSD 320 series. Though capacity availability is unknown at this time, the "Lincoln Crest" looks to make the final transition for all Intel SSD drives to MLC-HET NAND flash memory and SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface.

Doug Crowthers
See more SSDs News
17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wunderkinder
    Will the price drop?
    Reply
  • yzfr1guy
    Will they fail
    Reply
  • JohnnyLucky
    There seems to be some speculation about the controller in the new Intel 520 ssd which will be released on November 4th. No official word yet whether the ssd will be equipped with an Intel, Marvel, or some other controller.

    I noticed in a few other forums that members were wishing for a SandForce based controller. It's probably just wishfull thinking with no basis in fact.

    Too bad my crystal ball is cracked and does not work.
    Reply
  • rantoc
    wunderkinderWill the price drop?
    Depends on the competition, Intel have had 60% profit from the previous series and without competition Intel will be more like in the old days before AMD came with Athlon.. Hope the bulldozer will be able to deliver or Intel will stop their swinging and revert to take huge sums of money for small upgrades once again. Competition FTW!
    Reply
  • pckitty4427
    The price of an 800GB SSD will probably by as much as a computer.
    Reply
  • ScrewySqrl
    pckitty4427The price of an 800GB SSD will probably by as much as a computer.

    possibly more, given My computer was only $600
    Reply
  • soky602
    rantocDepends on the competition, Intel have had 60% profit from the previous series and without competition Intel will be more like in the old days before AMD came with Athlon.. Hope the bulldozer will be able to deliver or Intel will stop their swinging and revert to take huge sums of money for small upgrades once again. Competition FTW!What does AMD got to do with Intel's SSD's pricing?
    Reply
  • jecho
    soky602What does AMD got to do with Intel's SSD's pricing? You apparently know nothing of business and should now keep your mouth shut or your jelly fingers off the keyboard
    Reply
  • Kamab
    JECHOYou apparently know nothing of business and should now keep your mouth shut or your jelly fingers off the keyboard
    Or maybe you don't know the difference between a desktop CPU and an SSD.
    Reply
  • AbdullahG
    soky602What does AMD got to do with Intel's SSD's pricing?I believe he is saying Intel basically has no competition against a known rival (AMD)as they have nothing to offer in terms of SSD. However, this can turn out like the events of AMD releasing Athlon against Intel. For all we know, AMD could have plans for SSDs (they already have RAM made, but not for consumers such as ourselves). Bulldozer was just a side note considering he brought up CPUs.
    Reply