Samsung Readies 16GB Memory Modules
PrintOne of the first questions new system builders ask centers around the amount of RAM to invest in, and it wasn't very long ago when the decision came down to 1GB or 2GB. With the emergence of Vista, and particularly the 64-bit version, the big question now is whether or not to go with 4GB. How long will it be before we see 16GB rigs in quantity?
It could be sooner than you think, and at least one company has already begun preparations. Samsung said it has started sampling 50nm DDR3 devices that ultimately will enable memory modules up to 16GB in capacity. The samples consist of 2Gb (that's lowercase 'b') chips with double the density of current 1Gb parts, while also cutting back on power by over 40 percent.
According to Samsung, the new small form factor paves the way for 8GB RIMMs and 4GB SODIMMs, equating to 16GB and 8GB respectively in dual-die packages. Next up - finding mainstream applications capable of feasting on hordes of memory.
Samsung said it will begin mass producing the 2Gb chips by the end of the year and make 2Gb DDR3 its primary DRAM process technology in 2009. As for pricing? We'll have to wait and see.
Image Credit: Samsung
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Keith E. Whisman
September 29, 2008 at 1:07pm
Cool idea memory modules with external 4pin power connectors on the top edge. Talk about memory over clocks. Or each memory module could have a connector on the top edge for a size D Energizer battery for battery back up purposes. I guess a smaller battery would work but why not go for the gusto and put a damn semi truck battery on there for backup purposes.
AntiHero
September 29, 2008 at 2:42pm
Interesting idea, i like to see creativity like that, gets me thinking. If you could somehow embed/integrate the os into ram, it would make allocation of some system files faster, and therein make booting an os faster. If that idea took off, ram would be "WIndows only" or "Mac Only" hence making Linux obsolete unless it can be rewritten like a flash drive, as opposed to unwritable like a BIOS (and i'm saying that in the sense that a BIOS is not meant to be rewritten however it CAN sometimes)
knexkid
September 29, 2008 at 12:59pm
I realize that you would always have to power the RAM (cause it looses its data once there is no electricity), but 16+ gigs of RAM would be enough for a Windows installation (Maybe not Vista, but XP is only like 3-4 gigs) or a distro of linux to create an instant-on machine??
Keith E. Whisman
September 29, 2008 at 7:50pm
BTW Windows in Ram has been a dream of mine since Windows 3
Keith E. Whisman
September 29, 2008 at 12:11pm
16Gb of ddr3? Yes Please. Can I run that in dual or even in tri channel?
praetor_alpha
September 29, 2008 at 11:25am
The problem is not "finding mainstream applications capable of feasting on hordes of memory", it's time for 64 bit to happen, time for the OEMs to stop being cheap and put 64 bit OSes on all their machines, time for all applications to finally have 64 bit binaries.
And isn't it 16Gb (as in gigabit) rather than 16GB (gigabyte)?
CrimsonKnight13
September 29, 2008 at 10:10am
This is great news since DDR3 RAM of lesser density will drop in price & allow DDR3 in general to go mainstream with such a technology release. When that happens, I'll probably switch over to the Core i7 after everything has panned out for the best (if it does...).
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