Intel has yet to introduce its 335 series of SSDs based on new 20nm MLC manufacturing process and it already has a replacement for it. The 335 series SSD are expected to show up shortly in 240GB 2.5 SATA  6Gb/s flavor, while the 180GB and 60GB are expected in Q1 2013.

A few quarter later, in Q2 2013 you can expect to see the next generation drive simply codenamed Villa Crest that will replace the 335 series SSD drives. Intel is not ready to reveal its capacities but a range between 80GB and 240GB would be most likely to show up since these are the sizes that currently sell the most.

The new Villa crest are 2.5 SATA 6Gb/s drives, no surprise there, and we are not sure if they can make a big difference on the market. Intel so far had limited success in beating the competition in the SSD market mainly due its high prices.

Villa crest launches at the same time as the newcomer of 500-series, codenamed Sierra Star, expected in Q2 2012. Both rely on 20nm MLC memory, which seems to be the latest trend in SSD manufacturing.