About the RDRAM situation.
True Intel dropped them off the server end, not the desktop. However here is the situation about RAMBUS.
RAMBUS had firmly convinced its shareholders that RDRAM with the help of Intel?s memory contract would dominate the server market.
When Intel's involvement was announced RAMBUS climbed to over $150 a share (if memory serves me, I think it was $155).
RAMBUS with this firm commitment decided that in the market, they could pretty much dictate to the consumer how much they wanted for their ram, as they were the only game in town and they did. RDRAM at first was incredibly priced.
This contributed greatly to the success of DRR today. DDR being much less expensive made a much better solution for the home market.
RAMBUS seeing that their market share was dwindling started a campaign of legal battles with almost every major DRAM maker in the world.
RAMBUS claimed that they owned patents that every dram production company had to pay up on.
Here's the sad part, RAMBUS had been a member of a consortium of DRAM makers that were working on faster ram specifications. What they learned from this consortium they promptly built on their RDRAM platform. Then filed re-worded patents on the same technology.
Needless to say RAMBUS hasn't won any of their lawsuits, although interestingly enough there was at least two that settled out of court.
Today RAMBUS stock was $9.41 at closing.
The market share for RAMBUS has dwindled again with Intel deciding not to use it in future server chipsets sending a tough message to RAMBUS.
It has been rumored that Intel doesn't care for the RAMBUS tactics and would like to separate from them altogether, but are hindered by their original contractual agreement. If you analyze recent developments from Intel you can see where this is all going.
When Intel licensed SiS to be able to manufacture P4 chipsets, they in fact gave RAMBUS a message of things to come. Intel knew that yet again they would be cutting RAMBUS market share.
Soon memory standards will be completed for DDR II.
From the history of events surrounding this whole mess, make your own opinion.
My opinion however is that RAMBUS is a failing company with a life span of possibly a couple of years.
I can't condone their behavior and personally feel bad about buying their product.
Daovonnaex
Yes RDRAM is faster, however with today's chipsets ( KT266a, nForce, SiS 645, SiS 735 and even INTELS 845) RDRAM leads by as little as 10%, nowhere near what they had been.
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