XDR is a fast and large bandwidth memory type developed by Rambus. It is already present in SONY game station PS3, but not as the main memory module (only 256KB/PS3). Specification of the XDR are impressive on paper, as it delivers a bandwidth up to 102 GB/s while the DDR2 tops at 12.8 GB/s and the future DDR3 25.6 GB/s.
Based on the Intel and AMD strategy to quickly promote multicore architecture, Rambus is arguing that such system will be limited due the memory bandwidth bottleneck, and according to the company the XDR is the only solution to fully benefit from multicore processing. So far only Samsung Electronics, Qimonda, and Elpida have been licensed to adopt the technology for the XDR architecture.
The past history between Rambus and RAM manufacturers is probably not helping them to re-enter into technology partnership, as Rambus is known for having obtained most of its revenues by licensing its patented technologies or suing RAM manufacturing companies; some people in the field claiming that Rambus has more lawyers than R&D resources. Every body remembers how Intel adopted, then quickly dropped Rambus RDRAM support due to the high cost of such modules (mostly linked to Rambus amazing royalties). The future will tell us if Rambus will re-enter the computer market, or if it will remain present in high-end consumer electronics such as game stations.
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