SOURCE: MetaRAM

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - August 19, 2008) - INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM -- MetaRAM, a fabless semiconductor company focused on improving memory performance, today announced the availability of its DDR3 MetaSDRAM, a new DDR3 technology that can double DDR3 memory capacity in future Intel-based servers and workstations at unparalleled frequency, enabling the world's most memory-per-channel at the highest frequency.

"As a leader in DRAM technology, Hynix is pleased to be working with MetaRAM to introduce this world-class product line," said Mr. J.B. Kim, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Hynix Semiconductor. "We expect to see the growth of high-performance, high-memory capacity systems as a result of MetaRAM's new technology."

There will be several demonstrations at the Intel Developer Forum (August 19 - 21) featuring MetaRAM's DDR3 MetaSDRAM technology:

Intel Senior Vice President Patrick Gelsinger will showcase the technology in his keynote address; Intel will demonstrate a 144 gigabyte (GB) system using DDR3 MetaSDRAM technology from Hynix Semiconductor, and will also demonstrate the world's highest capacity 2-rank registered dual in-line memory module (R-DIMM): Hynix's 16GB R-DIMM enabled by DDR3 MetaSDRAM.

DDR3 MetaSDRAM is similar to MetaRAM's DDR2 technology in that it enables significantly more memory in a server. The major benefit of DDR3 MetaSDRAM technology is that it enables this larger memory capacity without negatively impacting the operating frequency of the DDR3 memory channel like standard R-DIMMs. It is the only technology that has been shown publicly to run 24GB of DDR3 SDRAM in a channel at 1066 million transactions per-second (MT/s). Using three 16GB DIMM modules, users can achieve 48GB per channel, while other cost-effective solutions max out at 16GB per channel.

"QlikTech is the world's fastest-growing Business Intelligence (BI) software vendor with its QlikView product for in-memory business analysis. QlikView works the way your mind works to connect related data from many sources, using patented, next-generation association technology. Information can then be explored intuitively and visually -- with drill-down detail in a few clicks -- delivering users accurate answers and better insights. Our customers are going to be able to take advantage of these emerging large-memory servers, like those being enabled by MetaRAM and Intel, by loading extremely large data sets into memory and unlocking the full power of their data by using QlikView," said Anthony Deighton, SVP of marketing at Qliktech.

MetaSDRAM is a drop-in solution that closes the gap between processor computing power -- which doubles every 18 months -- and DRAM capacity, which doubles only every 36 months. Until now, the industry addressed this gap by adding higher capacity -- but not readily available and exponentially more expensive -- DRAM to each dual in-line memory module (DIMM) on the motherboard.

The MetaSDRAM chipset, which sits between the memory controller and the DRAM, solves the memory capacity problem cost effectively by enabling up to four times more mainstream DRAMs to be integrated into existing DIMMs without the need for any hardware, or software changes. The chipset makes multiple DRAMs look like a larger capacity DRAM to the memory controller. The result is "stealth" high-capacity memory that circumvents the normal limitations set by the memory controller. This new technology has accelerated memory technology development by 2-4 years.

The MetaSDRAM technology reduces the number of externally visible ranks on an R-DIMM and reduces the load on the data bus to one-per module. It offers x4 and x8 DIMM interface support and features the MetaRAM WakeOnUse™ active power management technology to minimize the power consumption of DRAM when it is not actively being used.

MetaRAM's new DDR3 MetaSDRAM chipset is available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB versions. All three enable R-DIMM modules which are JEDEC compatible and operate at bus speeds up to 1333 MT/s, with the exception of the 16GB chipset which runs at up to 1066 MT/s.

MetaRAM is currently sampling all three chipsets and the associated R-DIMM reference designs. The 4GB 1-rank chipset (part number: MC01G3) and the 8GB 2-rank chipset (part number: MC02G3) will be in full production by October of 2008; the 16GB 2-rank chipset (part number: MC04G3) will be in production by December of 2008.

MetaSDRAM™ on Future Intel-based Systems

MetaSDRAM is the only technology that allows dual-rank 8GB or 16GB R-DIMMs to be built with mainstream, cost-effective, 1Gbit SDRAM, enabling up to 144GB or 288GB of memory on Intel's future server systems (using 8GB R-DIMMs or 16GB R-DIMMs). Intel is currently validating MetaRAM's DDR3 MetaSDRAM for use with its upcoming future server systems.

Hynix Semiconductor R-DIMMs Featuring MetaSDRAM

Hynix is currently sampling DDR3 2-rank 8GB R-DIMMs running at 1066 MT/s. For more information, please visit www.hynix.com.

Target Markets

MetaRAM's DDR3 MetaSDRAM is ideal for high performance rack-mount servers and workstations that run compute-intensive applications such as 3-D CAD simulation, database transaction and business intelligence, digital content creation, electronic design automation and virtualization. These and other heavy workload applications are the backbone of industries like aerospace, animation, automotive, financial services, oil and gas exploration, and semiconductor design and simulation.

Tester Support

--  MetaRAM and King Tiger Technology Inc. (KTI) also announced today that
    KingTiger's KT-3series testers support MetaSDRAM enabled DIMMs.
    

MetaSDRAM™ at IDF Expo, Aug 19-21

--  Intel will be demonstrating a 2008 system with 144GB of DDR3 memory
    using Hynix R-DIMMs featuring the MetaSDRAM technology in the Advanced
    Technology Zone.
--  Intel will be demonstrating the world's first 16GB 2-rank R-DIMM also
    from Hynix, based on DDR3 MetaSDRAM, in the Advanced Technology Zone.
--  KTI will be demonstrating MetaSDRAM test support on the KT-3series
    tester in booth 531.
    

More information on MetaRAM and its DDR3 product can be found on its web site at www.MetaRAM.com.

About MetaRAM

MetaRAM is a fabless semiconductor company focused on improving memory performance. The company's first product -- MetaSDRAM™ -- enables four times the amount of standard memory to be placed into existing systems without any modifications. The company is privately held, and venture funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Khosla Ventures, Storm Ventures, and Intel Capital and is headquartered in San Jose, California. For more information, please go to www.metaram.com.

MetaSDRAM and WakeOnUse are Trademarks of MetaRAM. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.