With 64-bit operating systems finally becoming more mainstream, the demand for more RAM appears to be mounting. At least that is what Samsung hopes, with the company recently announcing new two-gigabit (256MB) DDR3 chips that will enable memory modules with up to 16GB capacity.

Using a new 50 nanometer manufacturing process, these DDR3 chips are twice as dense as before and boast a power consumption drop of 40 percent over one-gigabit modules. Samsung claims that the new chips are capable of faster speeds too, quoting a data rate of 1.3Gb/sec at 1.5V or 1.35V for a new 2Gb chip, compared with 800Mb/sec for a 1Gb dual-die package.

The company plans to begin mass production later this year and expects the new technology to become their primary DRAM process technology next year.