OCZ has introduced a new Gold Series of DDR2 modules specifically designed for gamers. It includes 533 MHz, 667 MHz and 800 MHz parts with extremely low latencies – 3-3-3-8, 4-4-4-8 and 5-5-5-8, respectively – thanks to its Enhanced Latency Technology. The memories run at 1.8 volt (tolerating up to 2.2 volts) and include gold mirrored copper heatspreaders. They are available in 512 MB and 1 GB modules or 1 GB and 2 GB dual channel kits.
Japanese memory maker Elpida announced today that it has started production of DDR2 SDRAM using a 90 nanometer process technology at its Hiroshima facility. The change from the current 100 nm tech is expected to reduce production costs and thus lead to more affordable DDR2 512 Mb parts. Samples are to be available in June and volume production could happen as early as the third quarter.
Corsair today added to the DDR2 clock-speed competition announcing a XMS2 part rated at 800 MHz. Optmized for nForce4 SLI Intel Edition boards, the XMS2 6400 memory has 5-5-5-12 latencies and is available in 512 MB modules (CM2X512A-6400) and 1 GB dual channel kits (TWIN2X1024A-6400), featuring black cast aluminum heatspreaders. Yesterday Kingston claimed to have started shipping the “fastest DDR2 part” in the market clocked at 750 MHz.
Kingston claims to have started shipping the “fastest DDR2 part” in the market clocked at 750 MHz. In addition, the company says the new HyperX 750-MHz PC2-6000 has reached 866 MHz in lab tests. Modules have been tested to run at low latency timings of 4-4-4-12-1, but actual speeds will depend on system configuration. Memories are available in 256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB modules and 512 MB, 1 GB and 2 GB dual channel kits. Prices range from USD 127 to USD 569. Quantities are currently limited.
OCZ has reached new DDR heights adding a 625 MHz part to its Enhanced Latency series. But the greater novelty in this case is that its EL DDR PC-5000 Platinum memories are only certified to run on nForce4 motherboards aimed at Athlon 64 processors from DFI – an industry first. Modules run at a default rating of 2.85 volts and boasts 3-4-4-10 latencies. They have mirrored platinum copper heatspreaders and are available in 1 GB dual channel kits (2 x 512 MB). Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
Infineon announced a bunch of new high-density memory products for notebooks and graphics applications. Novelties in the first group consist of 2 GB dual-die based DDR2 SO-DIMMs with improved thermal condition and power consumption and 1 GB DDR2 Micro-DIMMs (with only 65% of the size of correspondent SO-DIMMs thanks to a new 214-pin “mezzanine connector”). On the graphics front, the company launched a 512 Mb GDDR3 memory – allowing production of cards with frame buffers of 512 MB and even 1 GB – and a 256 Mb DDR2 Graphics RAM.
Rambus unveiled a technology which can increase memory subsystem efficiency through micro-threading. According to the company, this would result in up to four times greater performance when compared to a traditional DRAM in applications such as 3D graphics, advanced video imaging and network routing and switching. The technology is based on partitioning each memory device and saving transaction cycles to provide more usable data bandwidth to requesting memory controllers. Rambus said that micro-threading may be applied to existing DRAM cores without significantly raising cost.
From now till April 6th NewEgg customers can purchase OCZ memory products and an AMD 64 CPU and save up to US$35! Patrons can select from nine OCZ renowned memory products including parts from the Platinum, Gold, Performance, and Premier series. In addition to getting the very best processor and memory available, customers will also receive a free downloadable copy of Half Life 2 as an added bonus.
Memory manufacturer TwinMOS has just released a new memory series target to entry-level overclocking: Speed Premium DDR433 series. It uses Winbond BH-5 die, which is known to be the best memory chip for overclocking. Accordingly to TwinMOS you can easily reach 466 MHz with this memory module, even though it is rated 433 MHz. It uses 2.5-3-3-8 timings, is powered by 1.6 V and you can find it in 256 MB and 512 MB versions.
Memory manufacturer Transcend has just released a new pen drive series called JetFlash2A, with capacities from 128 MB to 2 GB. Pen drives are a very convenient way of carrying data, making floppy disks history. This model from Transcend can be configured as a boot device and also as a security lock for you computer, creating at least two new usage models for this products besides just carring data.
OCZ has just increased their PC-3200 Gold Series with a new 2-2-2-5 512 MB memory module, sold alone or in pairs for dual-channel motherboards. Operating at 2.8 V this new module comes with EVP and ULN technologies from OCZ. With EVP, Extended Voltage Protection, you can run your module at 3 V without invalidating the memory lifetime warranty. With ULN, Ultra Low Noise, the module's printed circuit board (PCB) is designed to provide less noise, improving the memory stability.
Victorinox, manufacturer of the world famous Swiss Army Knife, released a new USB model with 1 GB memory. It has now also two new color options: Sapphire blue and Silver Edition RetroAlox. Indispensable tool for the hi-tech geek. Simply amazing, McGyver!
Taiwanese website DigiTimes made an excellent interview with Crucial's director of engineering, John Stroozas. Stroozas tells about DDR2, FB-DIMM and some trends on the memory industry. It is really a very interesting interview and you should read it. Just follow the link above (the interview is in english).
A-Data has announced today two new DDR2 memory modules. First, the world's first 2 GB DDR2-533 memory module, using chips from the japanese manufacturer Elpida. And also world's first DDR2-800 commercial module.
Memory manufacturer TwinMOS has just released a DDR2-533 SODIMM memory module for the brand new Sonoma laptop platform. It has a 4.3 MB/s transfer rate and a voltage of 1.8 V and its available in 256 MB and 512 MB versions.
