Computer component manufacturers are always pushing for faster, bigger, and more efficient products. That benefits us, the end users, but also them for the premium they can charge on those new parts. And when it comes to memory modules, manufacturer SK Hynix has just raised the bar again.
Buy a desktop PC or laptop today and it will have DDR3 memory modules inside, but that isn’t going to be the case for very much longer. DDR4 memory modules are coming, and they bring with them more clock frequency choices, higher data transfer rates, and significantly lower voltages.
For now, DDR4 is a niche, but SK Hynix has claimed a world first by producing a 128GB DDR4 memory module. Until now only 64GB modules have been available, but SK Hynix has used 20nm 8Gb chips to double the capacity on a single module which runs at 2133Mbps. It can handle 17GB of data per second and only requires 1.2V (DDR3 typically requires 1.5V).
Mass production of the new modules along with a 64GB version is set to begin in the first half of 2015, and they will end up being the module of choice for new servers, no doubt. More memory in less space and at a lower voltage is great news for data centers where it’s all about squeezing more resources in to the same space.
As for when consumers can expect DDR4 to become the new standard in their computers. 2016-2018 is thought to be the transition period, by which time I’m sure 8GB of memory will be the new entry-level norm rather than today’s 4GB. With 128GB modules available, though, those 4 memory slots on your motherboard makes 512GB of RAM possible.
source:geek.com
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