Japanese memory maker Elpida announced this week that it has completed development on 512 megabyte DDR3 chips manufactured at 40nm.
The new 40nm process allows modules based on the new chips to consume 30% less power than a pair of 256 megabyte DDR3 chips made on a larger process. The switch to 40nm also enables memory makers to manufacture DIMMs that not only run at the DDR3 standard 1.5V, but an overclocker and server-friendly 1.35V as well.
The company initially plans to ship the 40nm ICs for 32 gigabyte registered DIMMs for servers, 8GB ECC DIMMs for workstations and 8GB SODIMMs for notebook PCs and consumer electronic devices.
Sample shipments to memory makers are expected until June, with mass production following in the third quarter.
Reality check
Elpida follows Samsung as the second DRAM manufacturer to create 512 megabyte chips on the 40nm process. Though early products based on either manufacturer’s chips will be boring fare like server or workstation DIMMs, these products do eventually trickle down into enthusiast memory. Smaller chips that require less voltage not only improve power consumption, but overclockability. In time, we can expect more robust DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 modules with tighter timings or higher certified clockspeeds.
For the PC industry at large, higher DRAM density will reduce the cost of modules in two ways. First, increasing the number of chips that can be cut per wafer of silicon dramatically improves a foundry’s production and, therefore, its cost per chip. These chips can then be sold at a lower price to memory manufacturers, which actually mount the chips on a module. Their cost savings can get passed on to you.
Secondly, creating a 512MB chip allows memory makers to cut the needed number of chips in half to hit a target module capacity. There are several companies making 40nm 256MB DDR3 chips, 16 of which might be used to make a double-sided 4GB DDR3 module. That same module would only need eight 512MB chips. Reducing material costs is an obvious way for consumers to save.
It is important to keep in mind that the mainstream or enthusiast sectors haven’t quite found a use for four or eight gig DDR3 modules, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try in limited volumes. The other mitigating factor is a PC’s memory controller, which can struggle in the presence of high-density modules, particularly on a desktop PC. Nevertheless, reducing the number of chips and the voltage eases that burden, which will eventually pave the way for higher desktop memory capacities and cheaper modules for all.
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