eDRAM makes a re-appearnace at 65nm

[maverik-sg1]

TSMC recently announced that it has begun production of eDRAM (embedded DRAM) using a 65 nanometre process and Nvidia was the first company to get the part. TSMC describes 65nm eDRAM as a 10 layer copper part with low-k interconnects, while cell and macro size shrink between 45-50% compared to 90nm.

But this is not the only advantage that 65nm process brings to the table. EDRAM also features power-saving features like power-segmentation, sleep mode, on-die temperature monitoring, and equalising loads.

EDRAM is expected to be used heavily in next-generation graphics processors in desktops (given the future nature of decoupled GPUs), mobiles, handhelds, and consoles. The use of eDRAM does not stop with graphics, since high-end network switches can also efficiently use it.

Now, here is the kicker part: the reason why eDRAM was touted as the ideal solution for chips is its size – when compared to more common memory types used as cache (SRAM), eDRAM takes less than a quarter of the space for the same density

More Cache anyone?

 

[stocky]

it looks as if we are due a leap in performance relatively soon

 

[K404]

so its this mainly for use in graphics card for the forseeable future?

Is more RAM really what we need? We also have GDDR5 being sampled

 

[maverik-sg1]

It's being used in GPU technodes first - but its posible given its footprint and lower power consumption that if it was able to reach the same tech node size as cpus it would be a contender (with those advantages why wouldn't it?).

That is to say there is no reason why if this makes 45nm and AMD are planning 45nm there is a real possibility it will form part of the next gen cpu's.

I think more likely that it will be used in mobile devices including PDA processors and phone chips though