Samsung is ready to roll out the next generation of High Bandwidth Memory, aka HBM2, for your desktop and not just your next generation of GPU.  They have already begun production on 4GB HBM2 DRAM and promise 8GB DIMMs by the end of this year.  The modules will provide double the bandwidth of HBM1, up 256GB/s of bandwidth which is very impressive compared to the up to 70GB/s DDR4-3200 theoretically offers.

Not only is this technology going to appear in the next genertation of NVIDIA and AMD GPUs but could also work its way into main system memory.  Of course these DIMMs are not going to work with any desktop or mobile processor currently on the market but we will hopefully see new processors with compatible memory controllers in the near future.  You can also expect this to come with a cost, not just in expensive DIMMs at launch but also a comparible increaset in CPU prices as they will cost more to manufacture initially. 

It will be very interesting to see how this effects the overall market; will we see a split similar to what is currently seen in mainstream GPUs, a lower cost DDR version and a standard GDDR version?  The new market could see DDRx and HMBx models of CPUs and motherboards and could do the same for the GPU market, with the end of DDR on graphics cards.  If so will it spell the end of DDR5 development?  Interesting times to be living in, we should be hearing more from Samsung in the near future.

You can read the full PR below.

 

Samsung Kick-Starts Next Generation of Memory with High Bandwidth Memory DRAM

Market leading Samsung has started the race to bring the next generation of RAM memory to market, with the innovative High Bandwidth Memory (HBM2) DRAM now coming out of its factories.

The new DRAM is being heralded as the ‘latest and greatest’, and will offer twice the bandwidth of the old HBM1 memory. Users will get data in and out at 256GBps, and there will be various capacities available. Though the memory modules have already gone into production, the Korean manufacturer isn’t saying when the industry-first 4GB DRAM modules will hit the shelves – but they have guaranteed an 8GB version before the end of 2016.

Data Memory Systems, one of the US’ leading providers of computer memory solutions, is renowned for keeping its finger on the pulse of all the latest goings-on in the world of tech. The experts at the firm are looking forward to welcoming the next generation of DRAM to their stock.

A spokesman for Data Memory Systems says, “Technology moves faster than ever nowadays, and we’re always poised for the latest developments and breakthroughs. This announcement by Samsung marks the beginning of next-generation DRAM, with speeds up to seven times faster than its predecessors.”

The spokesman adds, “The memory has only just been put into production and will likely become available over the course of the next year – we eagerly anticipate being able to sell these modules on our site, which is renowned for being one of the US’ premier memory suppliers for business and individuals alike.”

The new DRAM has been produced with an eye on high-performing computing, advanced graphics and network systems, and enterprise services. According to Samsung themselves, the rapid adoption of high-performance computing systems by IT companies across the globe was the key factor in them deciding to produce a memory module that’s suitable for the demands of these systems.

The new modules will also be effective for those who seek components for high-end gaming computers. The DRAM will enable graphics-intensive applications to run flawlessly, which will be ideal for the die-hard PC gamers out there that don’t want to compromise when it comes to their tech.

A further announcement from Samsung on the HBM DRAM modules is anticipated over the coming months. Until then, those seeking a computer memory upgrade will find a multitude of options at Data Memory Systems, from external hard drives to RAM modules for any device.