ATi officially announces use of DDR2 on 9700

Evnas

Junior Member
Oct 22, 2002
5
0
0
MARKHAM, Ontario - In a move that solidifies ATI's (TSX: ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) position as the world leader in defining and implementing the latest graphics technology, ATI engineers became the first to demonstrate a visual processing unit (VPU) powered by second-generation double-data rate (DDR) dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), known as DDR-2.

ATI also announced a DDR-2 variant for mobile graphics and mid-range desktop graphics, code-named DDR-2M, and demonstrated the technology working on a desktop graphics card. DDR-2M delivers DDR-2 performance with lower power consumption, reduced heat dissipation and simplified board design. ATI worked closely with Elpida Memory Inc to develop DDR-2M as part of ATI's ongoing commitment to moving technology innovation aggressively out to the masses.

Seen as a clear improvement on existing DDR DRAM technology that first arrived on the market in 1998, DDR 2 and DDR-2M follow and leverage the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council's (JEDEC) DDR-2 specification. DDR-2 is the technological foundation for the eagerly anticipated third-generation DRAM for graphics (GDDR3) due out next year, an industry-wide initiative led by ATI. DDR-2 and DDR-2M are evolutionary DRAMs designed with the goals of improving high-end graphics performance, signal integrity and reliability while simplifying design.

"ATI is a leader in adopting and defining memory technology to advance and define tomorrow's visual reality," said Joe Macri, Director of Technology, ATI Technologies Inc, and Chairman, JC42.3 DRAM Committee, JEDEC. "With the RADEON 9700 PRO, ATI demonstrated that leadership by defining the GDDR3 spec and becoming the first to ship a VPU with a high-speed 256 bit memory interface, and that leadership continues today with the first DDR-2 and DDR-2M powered graphics boards."

"We expect that, given competitive pricing and the support of the major graphics controller and memory vendors, DDR-2 will take over from DDR as the market's favored memory type for graphics cards, at least in the short term, because it supports higher speed and wider bandwidth and will be available before DDR-2 for main memory," said Soo-Kyoum Kim, IDC memory analyst.

"Elpida is pleased to be working with ATI to develop advanced memory technologies that will drive the cinematic revolution," said Jun Kitano, Director of Technical Marketing at Elpida Memory (USA), Inc. "Elpida is focused on supporting innovative graphics technology for mainstream and mobile applications, and both ATI and Elpida are equally committed to making this leading-edge technology available to the widest possible cross-section of the market so all users can benefit."

http://mirror.ati.com/companyinfo/press/2002/4555.html
 

Eagle17

Member
Nov 23, 2001
114
0
0
Great scoop... I saw ATI had been flashing a 9700pro with ddr2 around the last few days this just makes it official...

I think that the ATI/Nvidia war is going very well, as conumers we will all get very good cards regaurdless of what brand we prefer...
 
Jun 18, 2000
11,211
775
126
Originally posted by: Evnas
ATi officially announces use of DDR2 on 9700
They did no such thing. They only announced that future products would support the DDR-II spec - something we've already assumed.
Originally posted by: Wolfsraider
nice find by the way:D
Not that it matters, but this link has been plastered over quite a few forums. I first read it at Beyond3D a couple hours before Evnas', post. Don't give the fella too much credit.:)
 

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2002
8,305
0
76
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: Evnas
ATi officially announces use of DDR2 on 9700
They did no such thing. They only announced that future products would support the DDR-II spec - something we've already assumed.
Originally posted by: Wolfsraider
nice find by the way:D
Not that it matters, but this link has been plastered over quite a few forums. I first read it at Beyond3D a couple hours before Evnas', post. Don't give the fella too much credit.:)

i know i read it all over too lol but was trying to be nicer today:p
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
12,632
0
0
They did no such thing. They only announced that future products would support the DDR-II spec - something we've already assumed

Actually they have demonstrated DDR-2 equipped 9700 Radeon cards, real cards with real memory, not simply an announcement. They will be using DDR-2 memory as an interim before GDDR3 becomes available next year. You may see DDR-2 Radeons sooner than you think;)
 
Jun 18, 2000
11,211
775
126
Originally posted by: rbV5
They did no such thing. They only announced that future products would support the DDR-II spec - something we've already assumed

Actually they have demonstrated DDR-2 equipped 9700 Radeon cards, real cards with real memory, not simply an announcement. They will be using DDR-2 memory as an interim before GDDR3 becomes available next year. You may see DDR-2 Radeons sooner than you think;)
In my opinion, I think you will be in for a disappointment, especially if you are expecting DDR-II based Radeons some time this year. There are several things that may hinder ATi from releasing an "ultra" Radeon this year:

1) Samsung will presumably be the only DDR-II supplier for the forseeable future. Both nVidia and ATi will be vying for volume shipments of high speed memory modules. If you can't get at least 400mhz modules (DDR800), then what would be the point of moving to a more expensive memory technology?

2) The current market doesn't need a faster Radeon. Their current 9700 trumps the 4600 quite soundly. It would be wise to keep the DDR-II Ace card in their sleeves for when they really need it.

3) Its simply too soon for a refreshed part. ATi's board partners might not appreciate having to retool their PCB processes to support the new RAM.

(I have no insider info. My post was conjecture based on my armchair analysis of current market conditions.)
 

Evnas

Junior Member
Oct 22, 2002
5
0
0
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: rbV5
2) The current market doesn't need a faster Radeon. Their current 9700 trumps the 4600 quite soundly. It would be wise to keep the DDR-II Ace card in their sleeves for when they really need it.


I agree with this 100%. I think ATi would use the DDR2 9700's as a "quick fix" to answer the NV30, until R350 is ready for the masses. Chances are they wont need the DDR2 versions until later as a refresh to the board (like nVidia has done with the GF4 series, making them 8x AGP)
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
12,632
0
0
In my opinion, I think you will be in for a disappointment

Not likely, I'll be getting the AIW 9700 pro as soon as its available whether it has DDR-2 or not :D. I would agree with you on most points, but it just shows ATI isn't resting, they'll be moving forward. Rumour has it they will be offering some "Ultra" 9500 models with the 256bit memory interface on the "gray" market, so it wouldn't suprise me that they might offer an Ultra 9700 model with DDR-2, perhaps even 256MB. They're wont be much retooling involved either with the Radeon already supporting DDR-2.
There is no nv30 last I checked to "answer" anyway, and personally, I think there had better be more than simply DDR-2 on nVidia's next gen part anyway, otherwise its going to be a long winter for somebody this year. The real point to me is that ATI has shown that its engineers are up to the task, working hardware is their statement. Whats next? 2nd TMU? .013? I dunno, but it does raise the bar, even if just a little.
 

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2002
8,305
0
76
it has been that ati was a day late and a dollar short in the past it might be they want to be on time and maybe a smidge ahead in the graphics fast lane lol

whats wrong with having it out now?sure nvidia then knows at what speeds ati can reach and can build a faster ...

aint competition great

yall come back now ya hear;)