Intel SSD 530 Spotted Using Next-Gen Form Factor Standard

It appears that Intel is getting close to launch the SSD 530 series, which is expected to debut in the second quarter of 2013 and looking interesting because it is using a new data interface. The card appears to be the first that will be launching that uses the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) standard. NGFF was designed as a revision to mSATA which would allow for larger printed circuit boards (PCBs) to be manufactured. This is crucial as it means that companies can increase the capacities of drives. NGFF is a single interface featuring pins for both SATA and PCI-Express x2 or x4. What is really interesting is that companies can design cards that have a SATA SSD on one side and a PCI-Express device on the other. This saves precious PCB real-estate and that means smaller devices, which is great news.

Each NGFF board will be identical in width to a current mSATA drive and differs only in length and the fact that it can be double sided. Right now it sounds like Intel is working on NGFF cards that are are 20mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm in length.

The NGFF Intel SSD 530 family is expected to launch in Q2 1013 in two capacities – 80GB and 180GB. Legit Reviews reached out to Intel for help with this story, but declined to comment on unreleased product.