News + Trends

RAM: DDR5 MRDIMM should be up to 17,600 MT/s fast

3.4.2023

Translation: machine translated

The Solid State Association JEDEC and AMD are working on a new standard for DDR5 RAM. The idea sounds simple: two memory modules are combined into one. This doubles their bandwidth.

MRDIMMs should make it possible to combine two 4400 megatransfer per second (MT/s) memory modules into a single 8800 MT/s module. For this to work efficiently, a special data buffer converts two Double Data Rate DIMMs into Quad Data Rate (QDR) DIMMs https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7046995582770450432/. This allows both memory modules to be controlled simultaneously.

MRDIMMs of the first generation are expected to achieve up to 8800 MT/s according to the roadmap. Those of the second generation will deliver up to 12,800 MT/s and those of the third up to 17,600 MT/s. It is not yet clear when the first ones will arrive. However, you will have to wait until after 2030 for the third generation. For comparison: The currently fastest DDR5 modules in the shop achieve 7800 MT/s. Up to 8400 MT/s should be possible with the current DDR5 standard.

Intel is already pursuing a similar approach with Multiplexer Combined Ranks DIMM (MCRDIMM). This is expected to appear as early as 2024 or 2025 with Granite Rapids - Intel's new server platform. Such fast memory modules are particularly useful in server systems where high bandwidth is important. For you as an average person, 4800 MT/s is (today) already more than enough.

32 people like this article