Intel will switch completely to 144-layer Nand for SSDs in 2021

Intel will switch completely to 144-layer NAND for its SDDs in 2021. The company reports this in a presentation. The chip manufacturer also announces its Alder Stream Optane SSDs. These use second-generation 3D Xpoint memory with four layers and support for pci-e 4.0.

Rob Crooke, head of Intel’s memory branch, reports this in a presentation to some members of the press, Blocks and Files writes. He reports, among other things, that the company will release an SSD with qlc-nand later this year, which consists of 144 layers. This SSD will be given the working name Keystone Harbor. By 2021, all Intel SSDs will use 144-layer NAND, the chip manufacturer reports. The company is also still working on its PLC technology, which can store five bits per memory cell. Further details on this are not yet shared.

Intel will also release its Alder Stream Optane SSDs this year. Alder Stream uses second generation 3D Xpoint memory with four layers. The current generation of 3D Xpoint memory consists of two layers. These SSDs also use a new memory controller. PCI-e 4.0 support is also mentioned.

The chip manufacturer indicates that it does not yet have concrete information about available storage capacities for Alder Stream. The company’s current Optane SSDs are available with 375GB, 750GB, and 1.5TB of storage. With a doubling, the maximum capacity would therefore come down to 3TB. The Alder Stream products coming out this year will use a single-port design. Dual-port variants will follow next year, which can be connected to two different hosts at the same time.

Kristie Mann, senior director of Optane DC products, also confirms the arrival of Barlow Pass. Earlier this year there were already rumors about the arrival of these memory dimms. Intel says it will share more information about Optane products in June.

A comparison of Intel’s 144-layer nand and competitors. Image via Blocks and Files