I like their choice... the BGA chips seem to provide enough headroom from the speed standpoint, and are obviously cheaper than DDRII. If more manufacturers start using BGA, I wouldn't be surprised to see DDR800 by the time AMD DDRII is affordable.
Hm. I thought that GDDR3 was just a variation on the DDR3 standard, just as GDDR2 was a variation on DDR2- so I didn't see a need to specify (thinking the main benefits of the standards would carry across both variations). Looking into things, I see that you're right- GDDR3 is still based on DDR2 and its improvements aren't as well suited for main module use. Humbug.
I think you are confusing DDR3 with GDDR3. GDDR3 (which is available now) is pretty much identical to DDR2 but with better power and heat capabilities. Actual DDR3 for motherboards does not have any working prototypes.
I have no idea why Kubicki writes that AMD will move to DDR2 for BGA after Anandtech just reviewed BGA DDR1 modules from Kingmax (http://anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.html?i=1990). AMD is right- DDR2 brings few enough benefits that one shouldn't break compatibility for it. DDR3 appears to be looking good, though (reviews of the NV 5700U with DDR3 have just come in and the difference in power draw and heat vs the ddr2 version is pretty huge; DDR3 should scale up a lot better than ddr2).
High capacity modules aren't pointless for some people, but the rest of us will be better off with lower latency DDR memory rather than DDR2. At least while its both cheaper as well as faster we will be.
Finally, someone realizes that DDR2 is completly pointless right now, and will be for a long time. Now if everyone can do the same with PCI-Ex and BTX...
Makes sense unlike Intel's grand scheme for DDR2. Awesome that i'll be able to recycle my 3700XMS this summer, save some money for a nice new R420 when it comes out
You should rename the article based on the use of the word "Benches" in our community. I went in looking for benchmarks of what to expect from DDR2 on new AMD platforms!
"After all, you can't build 4GB DIMMs on DDR1 TSOP like you can with DDR2 BGA. Hynix and Micron are already capable of 1GB DDR2 DIMMs."
You can have DDR1 BGAs- Kingston make them. There are also 1GB DDR1 DIMMs from corsair and OCZ.
The story about the latency is that it is supposedly nullified by the 4byte (cf 2 in DDR1) prefetch. But that gain may not help with apps where the associated bytes to the target byte may be irrelevant. So I await the tests on the real stuff. At double the cost if it is equivalent performance, it will be struggling. So I think AMD's move is wise and everything seems in place for a resurgence in sales over H2'03/H1'04.
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KristopherKubicki - Monday, March 29, 2004 - link
I dont think we will ever see DDR1-800. DDR1-667 seems to be about the end of the line if it makes it that far.Kristopher
Jeff7181 - Friday, March 26, 2004 - link
errr... too bad ya can't edit these posts =)Jeff7181 - Friday, March 26, 2004 - link
I like their choice... the BGA chips seem to provide enough headroom from the speed standpoint, and are obviously cheaper than DDRII. If more manufacturers start using BGA, I wouldn't be surprised to see DDR800 by the time AMD DDRII is affordable.jensend - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
Hm. I thought that GDDR3 was just a variation on the DDR3 standard, just as GDDR2 was a variation on DDR2- so I didn't see a need to specify (thinking the main benefits of the standards would carry across both variations). Looking into things, I see that you're right- GDDR3 is still based on DDR2 and its improvements aren't as well suited for main module use. Humbug.KristopherKubicki - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
#9:I think you are confusing DDR3 with GDDR3. GDDR3 (which is available now) is pretty much identical to DDR2 but with better power and heat capabilities. Actual DDR3 for motherboards does not have any working prototypes.
jensend - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
I have no idea why Kubicki writes that AMD will move to DDR2 for BGA after Anandtech just reviewed BGA DDR1 modules from Kingmax (http://anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.html?i=1990). AMD is right- DDR2 brings few enough benefits that one shouldn't break compatibility for it. DDR3 appears to be looking good, though (reviews of the NV 5700U with DDR3 have just come in and the difference in power draw and heat vs the ddr2 version is pretty huge; DDR3 should scale up a lot better than ddr2).PrinceGaz - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
High capacity modules aren't pointless for some people, but the rest of us will be better off with lower latency DDR memory rather than DDR2. At least while its both cheaper as well as faster we will be.Cygni - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
Finally, someone realizes that DDR2 is completly pointless right now, and will be for a long time. Now if everyone can do the same with PCI-Ex and BTX...KristopherKubicki - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
#1: 2GB Samsung will be making 2GB and eventually 4GB DDR2 DIMMs within one year.Kristopher
KristopherKubicki - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
the tourney has my brainwashed. :( i lashed myself with 100 wet noodles, then changed the title.Kristopher
Runamile - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
Same here #2- looking for benchmarks, found what looks like a summary of a news release.Icewind - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
Makes sense unlike Intel's grand scheme for DDR2. Awesome that i'll be able to recycle my 3700XMS this summer, save some money for a nice new R420 when it comes outNetopia - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
You should rename the article based on the use of the word "Benches" in our community. I went in looking for benchmarks of what to expect from DDR2 on new AMD platforms!Perhaps you should quickly retitle it
[b]AMD Sidelines DDR for 2004[/b]
Joe
Pumpkinierre - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link
"After all, you can't build 4GB DIMMs on DDR1 TSOP like you can with DDR2 BGA. Hynix and Micron are already capable of 1GB DDR2 DIMMs."You can have DDR1 BGAs- Kingston make them. There are also 1GB DDR1 DIMMs from corsair and OCZ.
The story about the latency is that it is supposedly nullified by the 4byte (cf 2 in DDR1) prefetch. But that gain may not help with apps where the associated bytes to the target byte may be irrelevant. So I await the tests on the real stuff. At double the cost if it is equivalent performance, it will be struggling. So I think AMD's move is wise and everything seems in place for a resurgence in sales over H2'03/H1'04.