Cheaper computer memory is on the horizon thanks to this RAM breakthrough
By
04 January 2021
IGZO-TFT technology will enable much higher density
(Image credit: TechRadar)
A new way of designing the basic component that goes into every single system memory could herald a new era of cheap, power-sipping D-
RAM
(Dynamic Random Access Memory).
Research organization imec recently presented a new technology that foregoes the use of storage capacitors and uses two indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors (IGZO-TFTs).
Gouri Sankar Kar, Program Director at imec, said in a statement that the solution will “will help tear down the so-called memory wall”. This refers to the increasing speed difference between the CPU and the memory located externally.
-
Check out our list of the
best external hard drives
-
These are the
best portable SSDs
on the market right now -
Have a look at some of the
best secure drives
More memory for your money
In an email exchange with
TechRadar Pro
, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed that the goal is to offer memory chips with capacities larger than 128Gbit. That would open the doors for low-power, high density 3D D-RAM units that could, in turn, push memory prices down further.
Layer stacking is a common strategy used in
solid state drives
to boost capacity at a cheaper price, without sacrificing performance too much. Next generation Flash memory chips are expected to have almost 200 layers (
Micron recently unveiled a 176-layer 3D NAND
).
What makes this imec breakthrough even more exciting is that it may allow for
in-memory computing
to become more affordable and
RAM disks
to become far more commonplace.
-
We shortlisted the
best Mac external hard drives
$58.99
$69.99
$100.99
$103.95
We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices
Article source: https://www.techradar.com/news/cheaper-computer-memory-is-on-the-horizon-thanks-to-this-ram-breakthrough/