DDR3 technology dissected
Written by Andreas G 20 May 2008 18:06

DDR3 is the third incarnation of the DDR technology. While DDR2 needed several years to replace DDR, or even catch up in performance, DDR3 was faster than its predecessor from the very start, even if it wasn't by much. DDR3 has continued to excel over DDR2, but it is still too expensive for most consumers. Alas, there is a common misconception that DDR3 just enables higher frequencies at lower voltages, but there is more to it. Below is a nice list of features and improvements found in the article posted by Benchmark Reviews;

Features:

• Now supports a system level flight time compensation
• Mirror-friendly DRAM pin out are now contained on-DIMM 
• CAS Write latency are now issued to each speed bin
• Asynchronous reset function is available for the first time in SDRAM
• I/O calibration engine monitors flight time and correction levels
• Automatic data bus line read and write calibration

Improvements:

• Higher bandwidth performance increase, up to 1600 MHz per spec
• DIMM-terminated 'fly-by' command bus
• Constructed with high-precision load line calibration resistors
• Performance increase at low power input
• Enhanced low power features conserve energy
• Improved thermal design now operates DIMM cooler

Excerpt from the article;

"To begin with, DDR3 RAM modules can conserve up to 32% of the energy used on system memory, while at the same time saving money on maintenance costs for facilities HVAC systems.  Next on this list is the data prefetch buffer; which has doubled from only 4 bits per cycle to a full 8 bits with each pass.  Then comes the new Fly-by topology that removes the mechanical limitations of physical line balancing by replacing it with an automatically controlled and calibrated signal time delay.  After that comes latencies which are lower in rate than the previous curve, and in some cases offer 50% better timings per MHz.  Finally, we have all of the extra perks."

A highly recommended read for those who want to know more about DDR3 and what it really brings beyond DDR2.

 :: DDR3 RAM: System Memory Technology Explained

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