AMD to use GDDR5 memory in next-gen ATI cards
updated 04:50 pm EDT, Wed May 21, 2008
AMD GDDR5 memory
AMD on Wednesday announced details on utilizing new GDDR5 memory in upcoming next generation ATI Radeon graphics cards. Graphics Double Data Rate version 5 is expected to become the new industry standard, the company says, as it provides up to four times the data speed rates of GDDR4 memory.
As the new memory is smaller and draws less power than current offerings, AMD is promising to offer better value in its upcoming products. Thanks to the faster memory, AMD promises its ATI cards will deliver high resolution, high quality gameplay, while mainstream PC users will also note the faster load times and smoother multi-tasking. The new memory standard will be better able to handle stream processing for complex, parallel calculations. A new feature not found on earlier GDDR versions includes error detection mechanisms capable of identifying errors and verifying data by re-issuing commands.
While no specific dates for when customers could get their hands on the JEDEC-standardized memory were announced, AMD is working with leading memory providers to bring it to market. The ATI HD 4800 GPU with GDDR5 memory is expected to launch early this summer.
