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Intel and Micron will dissolve 3D XPoint partnership after 2019

By Kenny Yeo - on 26 Jul 2018, 10:18am

Intel and Micron will dissolve 3D XPoint partnership after 2019

Intel has just confirmed that it will dissolve its 3D XPoint partnership with Micron after 2019.

3D XPoint was unveiled for the first time in 2015 and it was touted as the answer to traditional NAND flash memory.

According to Intel and Micron, 3D XPoint will deliver performance that will surpass that of NAND-based drives.

Back then, it said that 3D XPoint will deliver 1000 times the performance and endurance of existing NAND memory.

In reality, the performance and endurance gains were substantially lesser than the 1000 times touted by Intel and Micron. In fact, some traditional SSDs were still quicker so users failed to see why they should pay more for a 3D XPoint drive.

The first consumer 3D XPoint drive - the Optane SSD 900P Series. (Image source: Intel)

Adding to the misery was the fact that NAND-based drives only got faster, cheaper, and better since 3D XPoint's announcement.

That said, this announcement does not mean the end of 3D XPoint. What it really means that after 2019, both companies will pursue development of 3D XPoint memory separately.

From Intel:

The companies have agreed to complete joint development for the second generation of 3D XPoint technology, which is expected to occur in the first half of 2019. Technology development beyond the second generation of 3D XPoint technology will be pursued independently by the two companies in order to optimize the technology for their respective product and business needs.

To end, Intel reinstated their belief in 3D XPoint and will continue on its research and development.

Source: Intel

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