Intel is working its close ties to Google for solid state storage drive sales, according to a report.

Sources have told Digitimes that Google plans to test out SSD storage in an effort to lower power consumption at its vast data centers. The ad broker-cum-search engine will turn to Intel for the SSD gear. And, if true, that's great news for Intel, which hopes to make a run at turning SSDs into a big business.

As the report tells it, Intel will supply flash memory, while Marvell will provide the controllers.

For what it's worth, our sources tell us that Digitimes report is flat out wrong.

Still, it's interesting to speculate about Google paying for the more expensive SSDs on the data center scale. Like many service providers, Google is finding that lowering energy costs is its top priority.

Of course, there are performance implications as well.

Given the secretive nature of Google, it's rather hard for outsiders to tell what the company is up to. It's also damn hard to tell if the company's supposed data center magic really lives up to its billing or if the company just blows tons of cash and time designing its own systems.

Anyway, the report goes on to cite memory makers grumbling about a potential shortage of NAND flash chips due to increased server-side interest in SSDs.

Google and Intel enjoy a very tight relationship with Intel making custom motherboards for its chum. Intel's server chip customers have taken notice of this arrangement. ®