ATi ramps up memory speed

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 8 Oct 2002 at 14:55

Set Radeons at 800Mhz

ATi says that users can expect big performance gains from its product range next year with new memory technologies.

Specifications for the third generation of double data rate (DDR) DRAM for graphics, known as GDDR3 have been completed in collaboration with Infineon, Elpida and Hynix Semiconductor.

GDDR3 will initially provide memory clocks of 500MHz, with headroom for up to 800MHz.

Terry Lee, Executive Director of Advanced Technology and Strategic Marketing for Micron's Computing and Consumer Group, said: 'We believe the significant performance advantages will rapidly drive its adoption in the graphics arena. We expect it will then migrate into a broad range of applications.'

Currently DDR memory for graphics cards maxes out at around the 400Mhz mark.

Products featuring the new memory are expected to become available in the middle of next year.