New DDR4 Specifications published

The new memory type will be used in servers, PCs and mobile devices. The specification was finalized by the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, which has led DRAM development for decades.

Top DRAM makers like Samsung, Micron and Nanya have already started shipping test units of the memory. Integrated Device Technology two weeks ago announced it was shipping test units of DDR4 memory with error correction features, which typically go into servers.

The proposed transfer speed of DDR4 is expected to top off at 3.2 gigatransfers per second, while JEDEC has said that DDR3 exceeded its expected maximum speed of 1.6 gigatransfers per second. DDR4 DRAM will consume 1.2 volts, compared to 1.5 volts for DDR3. The memory bus speed will start at 2133MHz, which is a boost from the average bus speed of 1333MHz and 1666MHz for DDR3.

New DDR4 specification sets the stage for new DRAM in computers | ITworld
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AMD's mobile iGPUs/APUs will surely benefit from this new standard of DDR4 DRAM. Its great news indeed to hear that the memory bus will start at 2133MHz @ 1.2V. Maybe AMD can even dedicate upto 1GB of DDR4 DRAM exclusively to the iGPU (versus 512MB of DDR3 DRAM currently) and increase the bus width at the same time (from 128-bit interface to 256-bit) or possibly make this a dynamic thing that changes based on application need.

 

How does that apply to real world applications? Not that I'm not tickled pink to hear the news. But I mean its not much of an innovation if you have to get an entirely new system to take advantage of it. You know, even without native support: SSDs instant application. USB 3.0 instant application. Thunderbolt...? Well, not so much. But you get the point.

Anyway, most present systems don't even take advantage of the additional speeds that are already available. So it's a bit of the cart before the horse...right?

 

How about 3D Gaming (asymetrical crossfire on/off)? Or some gpgpu capable app? basically anything that benefits from using the gpu like the OS? I don't understand.

I sure wouldn't mind a mobile cpu/igpu (APU) that can use 2133MHz DDR4 at 1.2V. For comparison, the current AMD A10-4655M can use DDR3U-1066MHz ( 1600MHz DDR3U is now available but I cannot confirm if it works on the A10. My guess is yes but i won't know till i try it myself. Latencies should see decreases too from going to DDR4. Plus the power savings at idle (and of course during read/write activity) are needed to improve battery life will be the standard. Combine this with a more efficient controller that takes full advantage of the rest of memory available and you're set.

 

Good to hear, and yeah iGPU will definitely get major benefit from this. Not to mention overall system responsiveness. I was a naysayer that faster RAM mattered much, but after clocking my little Clevo to 2133MHz (thanks Prema and Samsung 1.35V RAM ), the OS was like instantaneous. I'm not saying it's an end-all be-all but it will definitely help improve the overall computing experience. And the power savings as mentioned will be beneficial. That's 0.6V difference in a two stick configuration. Although that may not mean much when idle or low use since amps to keep the cells charged will be minimal.

 

I wonder if we'll see manufacturers move to the higher speeds of DDR4 faster in order to give the iGPUs faster RAM?

 

We can only hope DDR4 reaches us ASAP.

It gives twice performance boost when you use 1866RAM instead of 1333 with IGP.

 

this has potential to actually make me buy another laptop in an year or two. Because what went for sale with DDR3 couldn't do it for me, LOL.