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takyon writes:

Micron Abandons 3D XPoint Memory Technology

In a sudden but perhaps not too surprising announcement, Micron has stated that they are ceasing all R&D of 3D XPoint memory technology. Intel and Micron co-developed 3D XPoint memory, revealed in 2015 as a non-volatile memory technology with higher performance and endurance than NAND flash memory.

Intel has been responsible for almost all of the commercial volume of 3D XPoint-based products, under their Optane brand for both NVMe SSDs and persistent memory modules in the DIMM form factor. Micron in 2016 announced their QuantX brand for 3D XPoint products, but never shipped anything under that brand. Their first and only real product based on 3D XPoint was the X100 high-end enterprise SSD which saw very limited release to close partners. Micron has now decided that further work to commercialize 3D XPoint memory isn't worth the investment.

[...] Micron is now putting that 3D XPoint fab up for sale, and is currently engaged in discussions with several potential buyers. Intel is the most obvious potential buyer, having recently begun the long process of selling their NAND flash and flash-based SSD business to SK hynix while keeping their Optane products. Intel has already moved their 3D XPoint R&D to Rio Rancho, NM but has not built up any 3D XPoint mass production capacity of their own; buying the Lehi, UT fab would save them the trouble of equipping eg. their NAND fab in Dalian, China to also manufacture 3D XPoint.

Micron exercised its contract right to buy out the Utah fab in 2019, Intel paid Micron to manufacture 3D XPoint memory (likely with a price hike in 2020), and now Intel may be buying back the entire fab.

See also: Micron's 3D XPoint departure is not good news for Intel Optane
3D XPoint Memory At The Crossroads

Also at Tom's Hardware.

Previously: Intel and Micron Announce 3D XPoint, A New Type of Memory and Storage
Micron: 96-Layer 3D NAND Coming, 3D XPoint Sales Disappoint
Micron Buys Out Intel's Stake in 3D XPoint Joint Venture
Micron Follows Through, Buys Out Intel's Stake in NAND and 3D XPoint Joint Venture
Intel and Micron Sign a New 3D XPoint Agreement

Original Submission

1. "takyon" - https://soylentnews.org/~takyon/
2. "Micron Abandons 3D XPoint Memory Technology" - https://www.anandtech.com/show/16558/micron-abandons-3d-xpoint-memory-technology
3. "QuantX brand" - https://www.anandtech.com/show/10556/micron-announces-quantx-branding-for-3d-xpoint-memory
4. "X100 high-end enterprise SSD" - https://www.anandtech.com/show/15029/micron-finally-announces-a-3d-xpoint-product-micron-x100
5. "selling their NAND flash and flash-based SSD business" - https://www.anandtech.com/show/16182/sk-hynix-to-buy-intels-nand-memory-business-for-9-billion
6. "Micron's 3D XPoint departure is not good news for Intel Optane" - https://blocksandfiles.com/2021/03/17/intel-optane-memory-future/
7. "3D XPoint Memory At The Crossroads" - https://www.nextplatform.com/2021/03/18/3d-xpoint-memory-at-the-crossroads/
8. "Tom's Hardware" - https://www.tomshardware.com/news/micron-sell-3d-xpoint-fab-stop-development-intel
9. "Intel and Micron Announce 3D XPoint, A New Type of Memory and Storage" - https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=15/07/29/1212252
10. "Micron: 96-Layer 3D NAND Coming, 3D XPoint Sales Disappoint" - https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=18/06/24/0119248
11. "Micron Buys Out Intel's Stake in 3D XPoint Joint Venture" - https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=18/10/20/1647234
12. "Micron Follows Through, Buys Out Intel's Stake in NAND and 3D XPoint Joint Venture" - https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=19/01/17/0533232
13. "Intel and Micron Sign a New 3D XPoint Agreement" - https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=20/03/17/0133223
14. "Original Submission" - https://soylentnews.org/submit.pl?op=viewsub&subid=48128

printed from SoylentNews, Micron Abandons 3D XPoint, Puts Fab Up for Sale on 2023-05-26 18:29:00