Intel’s Roadmap: Ivy Bridge, Panther Point, and SSDs
by Kristian Vättö on May 6, 2011 1:05 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
- SSDs
- Intel
- roadmap
- Ivy Bridge
- Panther Point
Intel’s SSD Plans
| Intel's SSD Roadmap | |||||||
| Currently Shipping | Future Products | ||||||
| Series | 310 | 320 | 510 | 310 | 320 | 700 | 700 |
| Code Name | Soda Creek | Postville Refresh | Elmcrest | Larsen Creek | Postville Refresh | Lyndonville | Ramsdale |
| Capacities (GB) | 80/40 | 600/300/160/80/40 | 250/120 | 20 | 300/160/80 | 300/200/100 | 400/200 |
| Flash | 34nm MLC | 25nm MLC | 34nm MLC | 34nm SLC | 25nm MLC | 25nm MLC-HET | 34nm SLC |
| Form factor | mSATA | 2.5" | 2.5" | 2.5"/mSATA | 1.8" | 2.5" | PCIe |
| Interface | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 6Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | PCIe 2.0 (?) |
| Read speed (MB/s) | 200 | 270 | 500 | N/A | 270 | N/A | N/A |
| Write speed (MB/s) | 70 | 220 | 315 | N/A | 220 | N/A | N/A |
| 4KB read (IOPs) | 35000 | 39500 | 20000 | N/A | 39500 | N/A | N/A |
| 4KB write (IOPs) | 6600 | 23000 | 8000 | N/A | 23000 | N/A | N/A |
| Availability | Now | Now | Now | Q2'11 | Q2'11 | Q2'11 | Q4'11 |
It looks like Intel has learned something from their CPU model name fiascos, though to be fair the SSD lineup naming is quite simple. The 300 series is intended for consumers, the 500 series is for enthusiasts/prosumers, and the 700 series is for enterprise customers. Let’s take each in turn.
The soon-to-be-released 320 series is the same as the 2.5” 320 series, only in a 1.8” form factor. “Lyndonville” and “Ramsdale” are set to replace the X25-E lineup, which is frankly long overdue. Unfortunately, both still list SATA 3Gbps as their interface speed, which further explains why Intel is using someone else’s controller for the 510 series. However, most enterprise customers will be stuck with SATA 3Gbps controllers for a while yet so it’s not as big of a problem. The MLC-HET flash memory is supposedly higher quality MLC for enterprise use. Sadly, we don’t have any further information about MLC-HET and how it compares with regular MLC and SLC.
There aren’t any new 500 series parts, so we’ll move to the 300 series. The 20GB 310 series “Larsen Creek” SSD is a special case intended solely for use with Intel’s SRT. That accounts for its small size as well as the use of SLC flash; we’ll have more information on it in the near future, including a full performance review. Pricing is expected to be relatively low (under $100), so with the appropriate platform it could be ideal for users on a tight budget who still want SSD performance.
Wrap-Up
As always, Intel has many irons in the fire and most are looking very interesting. From ultra-high-end enthusiast processors to low power Atoms and everything in between, they have something to sell you. They also have companion chipsets, motherboards, SSDs, wireless devices, and other odds and ends to go with their processors. It’s no surprise this business model continues to increase their revenue and net profits every year. We always look forward to the steady march of technology; we don’t yet know what 2013 and beyond will bring, but 2011 and 2012 are looking very strong for Intel. AMD’s Bulldozer and Llano certainly have their work cut out for them, but we’ll see where the chips fall in the next few months.
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haplo602 - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
I'd expect spelling mistakes on a tech site, but writing that a DX11 GPU will only support OGL 3.1 is seriously wrong. But OpenCL 10.1 ?? You expect Ivy Bridge in 10 years or what ?JarredWalton - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
Relax, it's an extra 0. I've fixed the typo. As for OpenGL support, the real issue there is going to be drivers, which is something Intel has never really focused on in their IGPs. Sandy Bridge does fine in DX games (relatively speaking), but I know of at least a couple OpenGL titles where performance is pathetic. I'm not entirely sure where Kristian got the OpenGL/OpenCL support information, though, so I've added "(?)" to the areas where we're not certain of specs.Kristian Vättö - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
OpenGL and OpenCL were reported by a German site who leaked quite a lot of Sandy Bridge data too which turned out to be right IIRC. Anand mentioned 16 EUs in IB already in the SB review and I also think he mentioned something about the OpenCL support. The same site is also reporting that the IB IGP will come in flavors of 6 and 16 EUs.futrtrubl - Saturday, May 7, 2011 - link
Now it just needs to be fixed in the text too. 2nd paragraph after the table.Shane1 - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
What the heck is your problem? It was a simple typo, if you had any clue what the correct versions were you could have politely replied that it was wrong and what the correct terminology would be. I heard MS is bringing back Clippy, but I hope he is not built to be as much as an @$$ as you.haplo602 - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
typo ? typo would be 11 (a missing .) but 10.1 implies 1.01. Current OpenCL is 1.1, I guess Intel would know better than to design future products to implement old technologies.NARC4457 - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
It was a simple mistake, you don't have to be a douche about it.andymcca - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
Oh lord! They hit an extra key on the number pad! What's next? Outright lies? I, for one, will never voluntarily read this top-notch source of information again. In fact I think I see an angry mob forming!(That was sarcasm, you crazy person.)
DanNeely - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
The mob is forming, but we're massing in front of haplo602's house, not Kristian's.Megatomic - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
Haha, this is like the nitpicking they do to the writers over at DailyTech.