Samsung Makes First 40nm DRAM, Hints at DDR4
Posted 02/05/09 at 08:05:58 AM by Paul Lilly
Don't worry, that 6GB triple-channel DDR3 kit you just picked up for your new Core i7 build isn't going to go out of style any time soon, but Samsung did take us one step closer to DDR4 this week. The memory chip maker said it has developed and validated its first 40nm DRAM chip, and if all goes to plan, it will consume nearly a third less power than current 50nm chips.
Samsung's shrunken chip technology will first be used in a 1GB DDR2-800 SO-DIMM module and has been validated for Intel's GM45 platform. The company also said it plans to apply its 40nm technology to develop a 2Gbit DDR3 device for mas production by the end of the year.
"This definitely moves Samsung ahead very aggressively in terms of its manufacturing facilities," said Bob Merritt, a founding partner of market research firm Convergent Semiconductors LLC
But the biggest news is Samsung's claim that the move to 40nm is "a significant step" toward developing "ultra-high performance DRAM technologies" like DDR4, though the company didn't offer any other details.

Image Credit: Samsung via InformationWeek
troll?
Submitted by almax on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 11:42pm
either you are posting a complete idiot, or a troll
i've said it before DDR4 is
Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 10:59am
i've said it before DDR4 is a bad idea. The average consumer wont buy it. 3 atleast makes sense objectivly but try to explain to a consumer why they new need 4 sticks of ram to get the most out of their computer and why 2 doesnt work. Two wirked a couple years ago!
DDR4=Quad Channel?
Submitted by Zoomer on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 5:39pm
DDR3 came in dual channel before it came in triple channel.......you can run either type in either system, just not with the same results. DDR4 (unless they choose) will NOT require 4 sticks, and you have obviously mixed up your terms a little bit. I agree that Quad won't make sense.....so they probably won't do more than 3. DDR4 will just be better overall.
then then need a different
Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 02/05/2009 - 6:04pm
then then need a different since DDR4 implies 4 channels. I'm all for improved memory interfaces but if they try to push DDR4 and DDR5 as 4 and 5 slot designs...it....won't go over well with the common consumer...
edit: my person solution would involve some kind of bridge od duel and tri channel designs. It's the most consumer friendly. Even number DDR would work is 2x pairs (ie DDR4 would work as either duel chanel or quad channel but you dont NEED quad chanel) while odd numbered DDR would hybrid duel and tri channel (though the mat to get that to work is fare more brain wrenching. DDR5 isn't going to realy work as duel + tri channel but you can break 5 in just a tri chanel easily)
dont NEED quad chanel???
Submitted by ott on Fri, 02/06/2009 - 2:26pm
Not being a smartass
I am genuinely interested in seeing a link to this info.
I would love to know how you came to believe, that the generation number of DDR (i.e. 1 through 4) has anything to do with how many memory channels a motherboard supports.
Please post a link.
i already explained it, read
Submitted by nekollx on Fri, 02/06/2009 - 2:34pm
i already explained it, read up. I'm basiing it on the Prescedent they set
r2 worked best with duel channel, r3 with 3. Precident Dictatres r4 would would best with 4. But that would go over poorly with consumers.
"what do you mean i need a minimum of 4 ram chip thingies My other computer works fine with 2!"
the Prescedent they set??
Submitted by almax on Fri, 02/06/2009 - 8:47pm
who is they?
nothing in the specification for
DDR says anything about the generation of of DDR being linked to the
number of supported channels, and all DDR can work in any channel mode.
I would love to know where you are getting your info.Do you have a link to share?
shouldn't a MAXIMUMPC poster have BASIC pc knowlegde?
They as in manufactureres.
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 10:39am
They as in manufactureres. You know the guys makingthe chips and motherboards, the curent precident they they have been folowing is dual channel DDR2, Tri channel DDR3, logic dictates they would default to Quad Channel DDR4 and my entire argument is they need to avoid that line of thinking all togetether, forcing the consumer to have 4 chips of ram (and then 5, 6, 7, 8 as the generation increase) is a dangerous idea.
I got 2 sticks of ddr
Submitted by AndyYankee17 on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 11:14am
I got 2 sticks of ddr running in dual channel
there is no relation between ddr type and how many in a channel.
besides how do you think it would work with SD ram or other types?
i know there is no relation
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 11:44am
i know there is no relation i'm merely talking about precident. Theres been a lazy man precident of "will say you need X chanels where X is the generation for the best bandwidth" but when you start telling your average consumer "this computer has 4 GB of ram in 4 channels" most consumers are going to bulk at why they need 4, 5,6,7,8,9 for running MS office when their 2 year old conputer only need 2 or 3. It's a dangerous path their walking and just saying they need to start clear of just taking the lazy route and saying Generation = Channel
there is no precident. the two issues are not releated.
Submitted by ott on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 2:14pm
Gave you an out, by asking for a reference.No reference means you made an assumption based on an assumption.You might want to try PCWORLD, CNET, or PCMAG as you are in way over your head here.
1. Law. a legal decision or
Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 2:24pm
1. Law. a legal decision or form of proceeding serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in future similar or analogous cases. 2. any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations. –adjective precedent 3.
preceding; anterior.
Thus there is prececent because there are 2 previous generations of example
Defined FUD is still FUD
Submitted by ott on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:11am
Not questioning whether or not you know what precedent means.
Just saying you are wrong about DDR generation numbers coinciding with motherboard memory channel support.
lets see 2 previous
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:47am
lets see 2 previous generation where they did coincide...precident would argue its likly the 3rd generation would follow suite
never happened
Submitted by ott on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 2:08pm
nope, didn't happen.
and there are no signs that it ever will. :)
Let's just agree MacLife
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 2:16pm
Let's just agree MacLife sucks and move on.
BIGGEST NEST OF COMMENTS.
Submitted by AndyYankee17 on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 6:48pm
BIGGEST NEST OF COMMENTS. EVER!
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