RAM News - Page 27

We've already seen ADATA unveil its DDR4 kits, but they're only sitting at 2133MHz, and what fun is that? The company has now just unveiled its new enthusiast-focused DDR4 kits, named the XPG Z1 DDR4. These new kits are kicking up some speeds, and even though they don't match some of the insane speeds of DDR3, they're still faster than the original kits, at 2800MHz.

ADATA will maek its new XPG Z1 DDR4 kits available as 4GB and 8GB modules, with 1.2V of power required in both dual- and quad-channel kits. The new kits are rated to run at 2133MHz at CL 15 15-15, or CL 13 13-13 timings. Cranking it up to 2400MHz, we have CL 16 16-16, and then we have the 2800MHz setting which sees the timings relaxed more to CL17 17-17.

The new kits are based on an advanced 10-layer printed-circuit boards with 2oz copper, meaning they're designed for some serious overclocking. The new ADATA XPG Z1 DDR4 kits sport a new cooling system, which features a very nice looking jet wing-inspired design with carbon texture that is used on race cars, which gives off the impression of serious performance. ADATA will make its new XPG Z1 DDR4 kits available to consumers next month, with a lifetime warranty.

Micron is planning for the near-future by preparing a 'Hybrid Memory Cube' that will provide 15 times more bandwidth compared to traditional DDR3 memory sticks that you get today. Even with the newer DDR4 implementation, like the one in Japan retail shelves, the HMC is still going to provide fives times more bandwidth.

Along with the bandwidth boost, the new memory type will also draw 70 percent lesser energy. Micron plans to achieve this by stacking memory as stacked chips using a connection type called 'Through Silicon Via'. That said, the memory will be required to be soldered on the motherboard near the CPU.

HMC will also have other features that are not present in DIMM-type DDR implementations. These include debug, more error correction features and also have logic layers.

Intel is poised to launch its X99-based chipset in September, where we should see the launch of the 16-threaded processor from the company - the Core i7-5960X. Well, DDR4 is what will be getting slotted into the motherboards, something that has just hit Japan retail shelves.

The DDR4 RAM is being sold in 16GB and 32GB modules, which are priced at $350 and $685, respectively. Expensive, but you could actually build a system with 128GB of RAM, which is a great thing for high-perfomance and enthusiast users. Intel should better introduce us to both DDR4 and its X99 chipset at the upcoming IDF event, so continue checking back until then.

Computex 2014 - Looking at the G.Skill booth we got a chance to see the new RAM cooler that G.Skill had recently introduced. While that was indeed what got our attention at first; what sat under the cooler was what really made us excited.

G.Skill are no slouch when it comes to RAM speed and looking above you can see the company has got the 16GB kit which consists of four 4GB modules running at an amazing 3501MHz DDR3 with a 14-31-31-45-2T setup on the mATX ASUS MAXIMUS VII GENE using an Intel Core i7 4770K CPU.

Showing that the speed isn't just limited to one motherboard; we see the same kit running the same timings on the ASRock Z97 OC Formula next to it. The biggest issue with memory like this, though, isn't having a motherboard that can support these speeds; but having a CPU with a memory controller that can.

Computex 2014 - Hanging around the G.Skill both we got a chance to look at some samples of the companies upcoming DDR4 modules which will be launched later this year alongside Intels next generation X99 chipset. While looking a little bare at the moment we don't doubt that the memory will join the likes of the TridentX series when released.

While information on most things surrounding the next generation Intel Chipset continues to be quite limited. You can see we've got kits ranging from 2133MHz DDR to 2666MHz DDR in sizes of 4GB and 8GB.

Companies continue to tell us that it's hard to know just how DDR4 performance goes as getting all the pieces for an X99 based system are difficult with Intel holding everything quite close to their chest. There's no denying that the coming months will see more and more leaks regarding the chipset will come to fruition. We can't deny, though, that X99 chatter is quitter then expected as companies continue to not say too much.

New DDR4 memory might not be available for a while yet, but the first samples of DDR4 memory have made it to the TweakTown Enterprise test lab today, fresh from the fabrication labs.

"Crucial DDR4 Memory Technology Process data faster. Reduce power expenses. Extend battery life. Double a system's memory capacity as module densities mature. Crucial DDR4 memory technology is up to twice as fast and delivers 50% more bandwidth and 40% more energy efficiency than DDR3 technology when it was introduced. Designed to enable the next generation of enterprise and consumer products, Crucial DDR4 memory works with next generation processors and makes everything you do on a computer or server faster and more efficient than ever before."

" Servers are constrained by memory bandwidth, capacity, and ever-increasing power costs. With the increased performance and efficiency of Crucial DDR4 server memory, boost bandwidth by up to 50%, and reduce power consumption and the need for cooling. Enable up to twice the installed memory capacity and process data faster."

This morning Crucial Memory announced that it has begun shipping samples of its new DDR4 modules to its partners through its new Technology Enablement Program. This program is aimed at channel partners who are actively developing and evaluating DDR4 platforms. Crucial says that this mornings announcement is the result of Micron's recent ramp-up in DDR4 module production.

"Memory is one of the biggest limitations when it comes to enterprise server environments. Many memory-dependent server applications are crucial to the day-to-day operations of a business, but they require higher densities of memory and increased performance," said Michael Moreland, worldwide product marketing manager, Crucial. "Crucial DDR4 memory enables servers to perform faster and run more efficiently than ever before, reducing power and cooling expenses along the way - essential for meeting the ever-increasing workload demands of data centers."

Designed to enable next generation enterprise environments, Crucial DDR4 server memory delivers data rates that start at 2133 MT/s (up to twice as fast as DDR3 when it was introduced) and is expected to get even faster as the technology matures. What's more, when used with Intel Xeon processor E5-2600 v3 product family-based systems, Crucial DDR4 server memory doubles memory bandwidth from 8.5 GB/s to 17 GB/s. Additionally, Crucial DDR4 memory uses up to 20 percent less voltage than DDR3 technology, operating at 1.2V compared to 1.5V for standard DDR3 memory, and delivers up to a 40 percent reduction in power usage.

Micron Technology may hike its prices of DRAM chips by May as their inventory levels are running low and the supply of DRAM from other manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix is also insufficient.

Few memory device makers have also reported that Micron has already raised its quotes to reflect the short supplies of DRAM chips. What also makes it worse that other DRAM manufacturing leaders are having issues of their own.

Samsung is affected by low production output of DRAM chips because of its migration towards 25nm process. Because of this, the South Korean based company is having tough times to meet with PC OEM contract orders. Samsung said that it is expecting a more balanced DRAM supply and demand by 2014, along with strong consumer and enterprise SSD demand to accelerate the process.

DDR4 RAM is still in its infancy and at the moment it's use is relegated to the high-end enterprise server world, but that has not stopped silicon manufacturer, SK Hynix, from pushing the new standard to the next level. Today the company unveiled its latest DDR4 module that boast an impressive 128GB of RAM on a single DIMM sized stick.

"The development of the world's first 128GB DDR4 module has its significance in opening ultrahigh density server market" said Sung Joo Hong, the head of DRAM development at SK Hynix in s statement.. "The company will further strengthen its competitiveness in premium DRAM sphere with the development of high density, ultrahigh speed and low power consuming products."

The 128GB stick of DDR4 is based on Through Silicon Via technology and utilizes SK Hynix's 20nm 8GB chips packed in a single DIMM module as tightly as possible. SK Hynix says that the stick of DDR4 is capable of speeds up to 2133Mbp/s, with speeds reaching 17GB/s if passed through a 64-bit wide bus. The sticks operate on just 1.2V which is a significant energy savings over the common 1.5V DDR3 modules.

Just moments ago Samsung announced the companies has increased DDR4 production. This comes on the just before of Intel's E5-2600 V3 series announcement that we expect soon.

Upon launch, DDR4 will increase DRAM performance while at the same time lower power consumption.

Here we see the evolution of DRAM over time with both throughput and power.