Samsung enables 16GB memory modules

Posted at: 12:38pm 29th September 2008 by Ben Hardwidge

New 50nm 2Gb memory chips can enable 16GB memory modules, while promising greater yields and lower power consumption

With 64-bit operating systems becoming more mainstream, and virtualisation getting ever more popular, the demand for more and more RAM appears to be escalating. At least, that’s what Samsung certainly thinks, as the company claims that that it’s now sampling the smallest 2Gb (256MB) DDR3 chips, which will enable 16GB memory modules.

The chips are produced on a 50nm process, and Samsung claims that this not only means that the chips consumer just ‘over 40 percent of the power of 1Gb DDR3 memory modules,’ but that the production rate is also ‘60 percent higher than DDR2 devices of an equivalent density.’

The small size of the chips means that 8GB memory modules (and 4GB SODIMMS for laptops), can be made in a standard chip-configuration. Meanwhile, Samsung says that dual-die packages using the new technology could enable 16GB modules. Samsung claims that the new chips are capable of faster speeds than standard 1Gb chips too, quoting a data rate of 1.3Gb/sec at 1.5V or 1.35V for a new 2Gb chip, compared with 800Mb/sec for a 1Gb dual-die package.

Samsung Semiconductor’s vice president of memory, Jim Elliott, said that the company had ‘focused on maximising density alternatives and power savings,’ adding that this would make Samsung’s ‘2Gb DDR3 solution as flexible as possible for designers.’ The new chips will also enable memory module makers to use fewer memory chips on lower-capacity modules, resulting in less heat.

Could you find a use for 16GB memory modules, or is 2GB or 4GB enough for you at the moment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.