Aceshardware say DDR is not the way forward for the P4

Arris · Mar 17, 2002

From Aceshardware Pentium4 shootout :

However, the DDR SDRAM technology is clearly reaching it's signal integrity limits. Consider this:

Intel only supports 4 banks of PC2100 memory or maximum 1 GB to ensure the best stability (signal integrity!).

With two DIMMs, the SiS645 chipsets can run the best DDR SDRAM on the market only with a CAS latency of 2.5

With three DIMMs, the SiS645 boards have to throttle back to PC2100 (see here).

With four DIMMs, the VIA's P4X266 has to throttle back to PC1600 for stability reasons (VIA chipsets natively only supports 6 physical banks of memory)

Many of the DDR boards experienced stability problems when we tried to run with three DIMMs.

PC2100 clearly lacks bandwidth when it must feed 2.6 to 3 GHz Pentium 4s and it becomes clear that DDR-I is not the best choice for an intensive workstation that needs huge amounts of memory. It is very doubtful that any current chipset is able to drive more than 1.5 GB of PC2100 memory, let alone PC2700.
So while PC2100/2700 is a good choice for the average desktop, it is clear that DDR doesn't cut it for the power user, especially if this power user prefers a highly-clocked Northwood processor. Registered (buffered) DDR is a solution for the workstation user who needs a lot of RAM, but it is not really a high-performance solution (higher latencies, bandwidth limited to 2.1 GB/s).

So what is the solution? DDR-400? DDR-II? A comeback by RDRAM (PC1066, RIMM4200) or dual-channel DDR SDRAM? We have only scratched the surface. To explain the benchmarks that we have seen today, and to understand what the challenges that future memory technology must face, we must go in-depth. In the next article we will discuss the technical pros and cons of all these solutions. Stay tuned...

uncleel · Mar 17, 2002

Oh bring back Rambus *ntel!

Arris · Mar 17, 2002

Tomshardware Ram Roadmaps

Looks like Samsung at least are going to keep making Rdram...
All the way to PC1200 until 2005 and beyond :rolleyes:

boeingfixer · Mar 17, 2002

Originally posted by Arris
Tomshardware Ram Roadmaps

Looks like Samsung at least are going to keep making Rdram...
All the way to PC1200 until 2005 and beyond :rolleyes:

Is that a mis-type Arris ? 1200 ? arent we going to like 2700 and beyond ?? Or am I reading it wrong like DDR 266 ? IE DDR1200 ??

And Uncleel, if rambus is so great, why did Intel abandon it ? (AMD is the answer) (evil grin)

Arris · Mar 18, 2002

Originally posted by boeingfixer
Is that a mis-type Arris ? 1200 ? arent we going to like 2700 and beyond ?? Or am I reading it wrong like DDR 266 ? IE DDR1200 ??

Nope I was referring to RDRam which is set to go to PC1200 in the future. DDR SDram is at 333DDR (2.7gb per second theoretical hence the 2700 number). Next step (with Via and SiS already showing 400DDR motherboards at CeBIT - Check the news forum for details) is 400DDR and then from there upwards.

Plus I had read that AMD looked towards Rambus for use with the Hammer. From what I can tell its going for DDR but you never know.

Th3M1ghtyD8 · Mar 18, 2002

I always said RAMBUS was the way to go with P4's despite it's price.

Arris · Mar 18, 2002

Related Link from News forum : Information on the future of DDR

boeingfixer · Mar 18, 2002

Originally posted by Arris

Nope I was referring to RDRam which is set to go to PC1200 in the future. DDR SDram is at 333DDR (2.7gb per second theoretical hence the 2700 number). Next step (with Via and SiS already showing 400DDR motherboards at CeBIT - Check the news forum for details) is 400DDR and then from there upwards.

Plus I had read that AMD looked towards Rambus for use with the Hammer. From what I can tell its going for DDR but you never know.

Yeah if I have learned anything in this business is the only certainty is the uncertanty.

hyjacked · Mar 18, 2002

i feel all warm and tingly inside, finally more people who are pro-rambus, and the debate is finally swinging around...yay

boeingfixer · Mar 18, 2002

Originally posted by hyjacked
i feel all warm and tingly inside, finally more people who are pro-rambus, and the debate is finally swinging around...yay

Sorry, I am not pro Rambus. But I could be convinced if AMD where to ever adopt it.....but for now...I am staying with DDR, and if hammer comes out and stays with DDR, so do I.

hyjacked · Mar 21, 2002

Originally posted by boeingfixer

Sorry, I am not pro Rambus. But I could be convinced if AMD where to ever adopt it.....but for now...I am staying with DDR, and if hammer comes out and stays with DDR, so do I.

dont' be sorry, everyone has a right to their own opinion.
i just never agreed with why people were so for ddr when rdram offered the better performance. even now more so i don't agree with the prices being so close

boeingfixer · Mar 26, 2002

Rambus's future is going to be interesting with Dell dropping Rambus at the end of this year. If you want a Dell I guess it's gonna be DDR or SDRAM. Why someone would by a P-4 with SDRAM is beyond me. However, I know the average consumer has no clue. Too bad.

TechSpot

Welcome to TechSpot

Aceshardware say DDR is not the way forward for the P4

Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,305 +17

uncleel Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,145

Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,305 +17

boeingfixer Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,245

Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,305 +17

Th3M1ghtyD8 TechSpot Paladin Posts: 794

Arris TechSpot Evangelist Posts: 4,305 +17

boeingfixer Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,245

hyjacked Newcomer, in training

boeingfixer Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,245

hyjacked Newcomer, in training

boeingfixer Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,245

Add New Comment

	Social Login & Guest Posting			TechSpot Members Login here or sign up for free, it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.