Qimonda introduced what it claims is the industry's first quad-rank DDR2 fully-buffered DIMMs (FB-DIMMs) for multi-core servers with a bandwidth up to 800MHz and memory densities including 1GB, 2GB and 8GB. Initial samples of the quad-rank 8GB modules have already been delivered to key enabling partners for validation testing.
Fabricating the component on 75nm, Qimonda said the 800MHz version FB-DIMM will enable improved performance in next generation servers that are coming to market later this year. In the 800MHz modules the bandwidth per high speed lane is 4.8Gb/s – an increase of 50% compared to 533MHz and 20% compared to 667MHz versions.
Besides higher bandwidth, Qimonda highlights that the FB-DIMMs achieve a power consumption reduction by up to 45%compared to using conventional modules. Qimonda says it now offers DDR2 components that operate at 1.5V, a supply voltage that is 17% lower than the current standard, without any performance loss.
The quad-rank organization is enabled by Qimonda's internally designed and manufactured advanced memory buffer (AMB) chip, which acts as the data traffic director for the FB-DIMM, the company explained. The quad-rank FB-DIMM enables the enterprise to scale total memory module density while maintaining or lowering the power budget. This contributes to both power savings and reduced latency of the memory channel. Both the lower operating voltage and the use of quad-rank FB-DIMMs contribute to the significant potential for a reduction in power consumption using the new module type.
Qimonda FB-DIMMs are now available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB densities with a 2-rank configuration, and in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB densities with a quad-rank configuration. All of the FB-DIMM densities are available with data rates up to 800Mbps and operate at the JEDEC standard 1.8V or the industry target for low power of 1.5V.
Qimonda's latest FB-DIMM
Photo: Company
