AMD readies Radeon-badged performance RAM
updated 10:10 am EDT, Tue August 9, 2011
CPU/GPU maker now offering 2GB DDR3 DIMMs
AMD, known mainly for its processors and video cards, has entered the desktop memory market. The company has begun to offer three versions of 2GB DDR3 DIMMs badged with the Radeon brand. AMD is marketing its Radeon DDR3 System Modules as being "ideally suited" for use with its CPU and graphics products.
The company guarantees reliability, performance and compatibility with its own platforms, though it will work on Intel systems.
AMC is offering DIMMs at 3 different performance levels. The Entertainment series targets computer users mostly interested in digital entertainment and normal video gaming. The sticks run at 1,333MHz and have a timing of 9-9-9. The ULTRAPRO Gaming series, sporting a speed of 1,600MHz and 11-11-11 timing, is intended for gaming enthusiasts. The third version, the Enterprise series, is for servers and workstations. Specifications for this model have not been released.
AMD has given no indication when it might be offering larger capacity DIMMS. The fact that these are only 2GB and not sold in pairs hints that the company may primarily be targeting the OEM (pre-built) market rather than end users.
Although the company has sold Radeon branded memory for its GPUs, this is the first time it has expanded into the desktop DIMM memory market.
The product is currently being sold in Canada, but not the US. AMD has given no indication when it might begin selling its memory in the US. Pricing in Canada is $20 ($20 USD), although an introductory promotion from NCIX is selling the memory for $10 Canadian ($10 USD). [via AnandTech]
