AMD slips into desktop RAM biz
Memory gets its Radeon
AMD is entering the desktop RAM market, according to a new page on its website.
A new "Systems Memory" page on the AMD website indicates that the company will soon be offering DDR3 modules under the existing Radeon brand, which it acquired with the purchase of ATI in 2006 and previously used for GPUs.
"AMD Radeon DDR3 System Modules are ideally suited to our CPU and APU products," the page reads (rather predictably). "Components are tested to the highest industry standards on AMD platforms to guarantee reliability and performance."
AMD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It's unclear whether or not the memory modules are manufactured by AMD.
According to the company's site, the modules come in three flavors: "entertainment", "ultra pro gaming", and "enterprise". All are 2GB modules, and all use a 1.5 volt power supply, but speeds vary. The entertainment series is listed at 1333MHz and the gaming series is listed at 1600MHz, while the enterprise series is marked "TBA". The entertainment series uses 9-9-9 timing, while the gaming series uses 11-11-11.
According to Akiba PC Hotline, AMD's system memory modules have already gone on sale in Japan.
AMD already offers Radeon-branded memory for graphics cards and its various "all-in-board" (AIB) partners, but this is very different from offering systems memory through retail. Some speculate that AMD is merely trying to off-load some excess inventory, but it seems clear that the company is intent on entering a new market. ®
COMMENTS
Enterprise vendors...
...will like the fact they can get the CPU, GPU, chipset, RAM, etc, all from the same vendor- this improves the image of "compatibility and reliability" which is what Intel has enjoyed.
The title is required, and must contain letters and/or digits.
Spot on!
Plus, they can make their marketing name require the use of their branded memory and get a little extra coin out of their OEMs...
I do believe
that you hit the proverbial nail on the head, exposing what is probably the true goal of this announcement.
So have a beer !
Depends on system utilization
For people that don't have heavy system utilization you are correct that it wont be a big deal. Same for alot of games cause they lack the ability for full system utilization of a CPU core.
However if you look at the fusion APU's offered by AMD which perfer tight ram timings. Which also will shit themselves at timings of 11-11-11-31, if you try to use the integrated GPU with such times. Its definitely a negative to have such high CAS times.
The Biggest places you will see the CAS times come into play are single threaded application that require a low latency, APU's with integrated graphics turned on, Multithreaded applications that run at full system utilization. Sound and video work will also fall into this category.
What this really comes down to is what market this ram is targeted at. If its targeted at the enthusiest market then its most likey gonna be ignore at those CAS times, atleast by the buyers with knowledge of ram. If its gonna be bundled with systems that built by the likes of DELL, Hp, Acer.... then it will probably be fine. Cause people in those markets are not looking for the same levels of system performance. They are mostly looking at target price range, and convience of obtaining it.
uh, ok
"Horse excrement" is a bit harsh. Show me 2 benchmarks where all someone changed was their CAS latency... if you see any improvement, especially on a game benchmark, it'll be almost negligible.
