Intel Confirms 25nm NAND Flash in Mass Production, Heralds New SSD Generation

From DailyTech: Intel Corporation has confirmed that its Intel-Micron Flash Technologies (IMFT) co-venture has begun mass production of their breakthrough 25nm NAND flash memory. Intel has already started shipping the new chips in volume to its customers.

IMFT first showed off its 25nm chip samples to DailyTech and a select few in January, and an official announcement was made in February.

Intel and Micron are both expected to use NAND flash chips from the 25nm node in a new generation of solid state drives. Intel is also working on a new NAND flash controller that will support ONFI 2.2 and new capacities, with 300GB and 600GB models expected. Support for 6Gbps SATA is also likely, but has not yet been confirmed. Indilinx's next-generation Jet Stream controller is also supposed to support the new chips.

IMFT's 64Gb (8GB) NAND chip measures just 167mm2 and can hold up to 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos or 8 hours of video. Demand for NAND flash memory is expected to grow significantly in the next few years thanks to devices like the iPad and smartphones, which rely on NAND storage. SSDs, USB flash drives, and higher capacity SDXC memory cards for camcorders and cameras will also cause increased demand.

The smaller size allows IMFT to essentially double the capacity of its flash chips at a minimal cost. Intel cut its SSD prices by 60% when it introduced 34nm production in July of last year.

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