Samsung this week announced that it is already providing graphics card makers with samples of GDDR 4 memory chips. According to the company, the 256 Mb parts transfer data at up to 2.5 Gbps and will soon reach 2.8 Gbps. New technologies called Data Bus Inversion (DBI) and Multi-Preamble helped eliminate data transmission delay. Mass production is expected do begin in the second quarter of 2006 with high-performance graphics cards picking up in the second half.
OCZ has announced its first memory modules featuring Xtreme Thermal Convection (XTC) heatspreaders. The gold layered devices are said to allow increased ventilation and heat dissipation due to an innovative honeycomb design. The PC-3200 and PC-3500 Gold GX series have latencies of 2-2-2-5 and are available in 512 MB modules and 1 GB dual channel kits.
Spansion, the joint-venture of AMD and Fujitsu, has begun to sample the first single-chip 1 Gb NOR flash memory to customers in the embedded market. The device is based on recently unveiled 90-nm MirrorBit technology. The company’s lineup now offers densities ranging from 1 Mb up to 1 Gb. The new product operates at 3.0 volts (Vcc), features random read speed of 110 ns and offers page read speed of 25 ns.
Sony and SanDisk today began to license a new Memory Stick format called Micro. Measuring just 15x12.5x1.2 mm (0.59x0.43x0.04 in), the card is aimed at mobile phones. The Memory Stick Pro runs at 1.8 or 3.3 volts and allow theoretical transfer rates of up to 160 Mb/s. The device is expected to eventually reach 32 GB of maximum capacity. First products should be launched during the first half of 2006.
Corsair has launched its new 1 GB XMS-3500LL PRO module, which it says is custom made to power high-performance AMD systems based on ASUS’ A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboards, featuring dual PCI Express x16 slots. The memory runs at 437 MHz with latencies of 2-3-2-6-1T. It includes aluminum heat sink and built-in activity leds. The modules are also available in 2 GB dual channel kits.
TwinMOS has announced a new 140x 4 GB CompactFlash Card in its Ultra-X series capable of reading at 21 MB/s and writing at 16.2 MB/s. The dual channel device is aimed at professional DSC and DV. The 4 GB card is already in mass production and the company plans to release an 8 GB version soon. Pricing details were not released.
Memorex last week announced what it claims to be the smallest USB drive in the world. The Mega TravelDrive, to be available in October, offers 4 GB of capacity while measuring just 1.75x1.96x0.56 inches. It has a blue led indicator and a pivoting USB connector. The package includes a black carryng pouch and a USB cable. Suggested retail price is USD 150.
As part of its World Cyber Games marketing initiative, Crucial is giving away two prize packs containing a Radeon X800 Pro 256 MB AGP graphics card and a 1 GB PC3200 memory kit. Users have to fill out a form on the promo site before October 6 to participate. Winners will be randomly selected and announced until November 11. Only U.S. residents ages 18 and older are eligible to enter.
OCZ released its USB 2.0 Rally Flash Drive lineup, implementing dual channel technology to deliver high-speed data transfer, up to 28 MB/s (read) and 15 MB/s (write) in the 512 MB model. The memory is enclosed in aluminum chassis with blue led status light. The Rally devices are also available in 1 GB and 2 GB capacities. Accessories include a keyring and a lanyard.
Samsung has started to sample 1 GB and 2 GB MMC Plus cards that should be able to reach 52 Mb/s thanks to wider bus (x4 and x8) and higher clocks. The devices, which operate at 3.3 volts, are aimed at digital cameras. The company has also begun to sample dual-voltage (1.8 and 3.3 volts) 1 GB MMC Mobile cards designed for cell phones.
Micron Technology, broadening its reach outside the DRAM market, started to ship 8 Gb and 4 Gb NAND flash memory products. The devices use a 3.3 volt power supply and are packaged in standard 48-pin TSOP. The 8 Gb memory is available in a 1 Gb x 8 configuration while the 4 Gb one is offered in 512 Mb x 8 and 256 Mb x 16 settings.
A-Data has launched new 214-pin DDR2-533 Micro DIMM memory modules for mini-notebooks. The format, based on Intel’s Sonoma platform, is smaller than traditional 200-pin SO-DIMM, occupying about 65% of its size. The modules, available in 256 MB and 512 MB capacities, operate at a CAS latency of 5 and at 1.8 volt.
One week after Pretec announced a 133x 4 GB SD card, A-Data said it will soon offer a speedier model with the same capacity. The 150x Turbo SD, based on 16 Gb SLC Nand Flash chips produced at 73 nm by Samsung, reaches 22.5 MB/s reading performance. The device is backwards compatible with SD 1.1. Pricing and exact availability were not disclosed.
Crucial’s high-performance Ballistix series has finally reached the 1 GHz mark. The company introduced this week PC2-8000 modules with CL5-5-5-15 operating at 2.2 volts. In addition, Crucial released PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) and PC2-5300 (DDR2-667) with low-latency settings – 4-4-4-12 and 3-3-3-12 respectively –, both running at 2.1 volts. All models are available in 512 MB and 1 GB densities.
Elpida has begun sampling 4 GB FB-DIMM DDR2 memory modules and will start volume production in the fourth quarter. Two models will be initially available. The PC2-4200F runs at 533 MHz with 4-4-4 latency timings and the PC-5300F runs at 667 MHz at 5-5-5. Modules are only 6.7 mm thick, which, according to Elpida, improves cooling. FB-DIMM is an open standard developed by Intel and aimed mainly at servers.
