Intel Solid State Drive Desktop Roadmap

Intel's 510 series of Solid State Drives are due to be replaced with a new range, known as "Cherryville", in Q1 2012. The new range will be produced using a smaller die technology than current offerings, and will have a wider range of storage capacities. These are expected to be replaced in Q3 2012 by "King Crest", another range whose details are as yet unknown.

The 510 series drives use 34nm MLC Flash Memory, and come in capacities of 120 GB and 250 GB. They are Intel's high-end desktop storage offering, and operate at SATA III speeds. They also have a reputation as being among the highest quality SSDs you can buy, and you pay a premium price for that quality.

Cherryville SSDs will use 25nm MLC Flash Memory, which should reduce power consumption as well as allowing higher storage capacities. The drives will come in capacities of 60 GB, 120 GB, 180 GB, 240 GB and 480 GB.

King Crest will offer further improvements, using 20nm MLC Flash. Other details are not yet known.