Millenium Memory - Rambus or DDR SDRAM? Oct 6, 1999
The new millenium is bringing major changes in computer hardware. Advances in manufacturing technology are on the verge of taking processor speeds into the gigahertz range. Memory speeds must keep pace. Two new standards, DDR SDRAM and Rambus, are in competition for the heart of the PC market. DDR SDRAM is taking an evolutionary approach, while Rambus proposes to revolutionize PC design. To further complicate matters, DDR SDRAM is an open standard, whereas Rambus is proprietary, so the ultimate winner of this battle will have a significant impact on the nature of PC manufacturing.
These are confusing times for any individuals or companies considering the purchase of new PCs. For manufacturers, choosing the successful DRAM standard is even more crucial. Events of the past week, in which flaws in Intel''s chipset that will support Rambus have come to light, increase the tension.
This article first discusses the current, SDRAM, memory system. Next, DDR SDRAM and why it is an evolutionary approach is covered. After that, the nature of Rambus and what makes it revolutionary is reviewed. Then, interviews with major manufacturers about their viewpoints are presented. Armed with this information, the reader will be able to follow and understand current developments in the DRAM industry.
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