Samsung Electronics has unveiled the world's first DDR3 dynamic random access memory (DRAM) prototype chip. The new 512MB DDR3 DRAM can process data at a rate of 1,066Mbps, and will be available in early 2006. Samsung Electronics was the first to produce DDR DRAM and DDR2 DRAM, and as such has long been a leader in memory technologies.
DDR3 is likely to enable gigabit-rate data processing for DDR memories. While DDR-400 provided a bridge to DDR2-400 memory, it is expected that DDR2-800 will do the same for DDR3-800. Samsung said it will manufacture DDR3 memory initially in an 80 nm process with a likely commercial availability for notebooks, desktops and servers in early 2006.
Even although DDR3 will start to be produced late in 2005, don't expect it to appear in stores right away. It will take some time for the technology to trickle down the mainstream market; it is estimated that DDR3 will enter the market during 2007 and reach a market share of 65 percent by 2009.