Qimonda Started Volume Production of Rambus XDR DRAM

[joeorc]

why :

Press Release
Qimonda Started Volume Production of Rambus XDR™ DRAM for PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment System

Los Altos, California, United States and Munich, Germany - 08/26/2008 Qimonda AG, a leading manufacturer of memory products, and Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), one of the world's premier technology licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures, today announced that Qimonda has started shipping XDR™ DRAM in volume for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system.

Qimonda started to ship first samples of the 512Mb XDR DRAM in January 2008. The XDR memory solution extends the Qimonda specialty RAM portfolio to better serve high-performance and high-bandwidth applications for the fast growing global computing and consumer electronics markets.

"We are very proud to have started the volume production of our XDR product for PS3. This is a further milestone reflecting our product diversification strategy and demonstrating our leading position in the specialty memory market," said Robert Feurle, Vice President Business Unit Specialty DRAM of Qimonda AG. "We are prepared to support all our customers with XDR DRAM in various applications."

The XDR memory architecture is proven in high-volume, cost-competitive applications. Qimonda's XDR DRAM, operating at 3.2Gbps, provides 6.4GB/s of peak memory bandwidth with a single, 2-byte wide device. With a roadmap extending to 6.4Gbps, providing 12.8GB/s of bandwidth per device, XDR DRAM provides an order of magnitude higher performance than today's standard memories. With XDR DRAM, designers can achieve unprecedented performance with the fewest devices.

"Qimonda's leadership and commitment to the XDR memory architecture expands the supply for this advanced memory solution for consumer and computing applications," said Sharon Holt, senior vice president of worldwide sales, licensing and marketing at Rambus. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Qimonda on future XDR memory solutions for high-volume applications demanding breakthrough performance."

Backed by comprehensive engineering support services that range from chip design to system integration, the award-winning XDR memory architecture features key enabling technologies built on patented Rambus innovations that include low-voltage, low-power Differential Rambus Signaling Level (DRSL); Octal Data Rate (ODR) technology that transfers eight bits of data each clock cycle; FlexPhase™ circuit technology for precise on-chip alignment of data with clock; and Dynamic-Point-to-Point (DPP) for both enhanced signal integrity and scalability.

For availability and more information on Qimonda's XDR DRAM devices, please visit www.qimonda.com/graphics-ram/XDR/index.html. Additional information on the XDR memory architecture is available at www.rambus.com/xdr.
http://www.rambus.com/us/news/press_...08/080826.html

[aphex]

still doubt it.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

I would say not. Don't get your hopes up and wait for a price drop that probably isn't coming this year.

[statikcat]

People need to get over it. It isn't happening:

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/10/08/...ays-no-thanks/

[NARMAK]

I thought PS3 had 256 RAM at 3.2GHZ, not 512?

Anyhow, PS3 needs a price cut by holiday 08, Xbox arcade at £130 which most people will see cheap & buy is gonna hurt sony, the average J6P will be an offline gamer & want to get in cheap

A new redesign i'm gussing is currently in the works for release next year using 45nm parts

Don't ask for a link, i just know

[joeorc]

With other components getting ramp up in production the over all cost drops, Sony wants to drop the price as fast as they can look at the US and world finance problems, selling more systems may mean more software sales, since most people are staying in instead of going out for entertainment. the Electronic industry is still getting great sales but like everything else that may slow down also. the faster they can lower the cost the more sales they can get.

[silversnake]

what about this article that clearly says it won't happen ?

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=198851

Sony: "We aren't making any price moves this holiday"

Sony believes that "the best [software] line-up of any PlayStation generation" will help the PS3 remain competitive this Christmas, despite the console carrying what's increasingly looking like a heavy price tag around its neck.

"As previously discussed we aren't making any price moves this holiday season," Patrick Seybold, director of corporate communications at Sony Computer Entertainment America told Edge.

"In my opinion," he added, "we have the best line up of any PlayStation generation going into this holiday and consumers will be very receptive to it."

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by statikcat

People need to get over it. It isn't happening:

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/10/08/...ays-no-thanks/

i would not say 100% sure it would not happen, because anything can happen. the ramp up on the playstation 3's ram is a good sign on lowering the over all cost of the playstation 3, ram is one of the most expensive parts.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by silversnake

what about this article that clearly says it won't happen ?

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=198851

Sony: "We aren't making any price moves this holiday"

Sony believes that "the best [software] line-up of any PlayStation generation" will help the PS3 remain competitive this Christmas, despite the console carrying what's increasingly looking like a heavy price tag around its neck.

"As previously discussed we aren't making any price moves this holiday season," Patrick Seybold, director of corporate communications at Sony Computer Entertainment America told Edge.

"In my opinion," he added, "we have the best line up of any PlayStation generation going into this holiday and consumers will be very receptive to it."

that did not stop Sony last time to burn off current stock at reduced prices.
never say never.

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by joeorc

i would not say 100% sure it would not happen, because anything can happen. the ramp up on the playstation 3's ram is a good sign on lowering the over all cost of the playstation 3, ram is one of the most expensive parts.

so his article , and my article isn't enough proof for you huh ? Price cut will happen, but before Christmas i doubt it.

[SoCalTiger]

I don't understand how you make the jump that a ramp up in production = price drop. Sure, increased production means you benefit from scale but more likely they are just ramping up production because they are selling more units...

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by joeorc

i would not say 100% sure it would not happen, because anything can happen. the ramp up on the playstation 3's ram is a good sign on lowering the over all cost of the playstation 3, ram is one of the most expensive parts.

idk i think that the cell processor and the blu-ray drive are what make the ps3 so damn expensive to make

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by funsocaltiger

I don't understand how you make the jump that a ramp up in production = price drop. Sure, increased production means you benefit from scale but more likely they are just ramping up production because they are selling more units...

true. but look at this fall christmas sales to be lower than last year esp. since the recession is in effect in the US and in parts of the world the effects of that will be felt in the buying season. Sony may want to get the price as low as they can. selling current stock at a reduced price to burn through inv. may be what Sony will do this year, they did the same last year .

it may be until stock runs out.

[Elandyll]

Actually everything is gearing up for a price drop in 2009 (cf the 45nm Cells and the new RSX), with -and that's my guess- a possible new "slim" PS3.

For the better or worse, Sony is intent on not dropping prices in 2008, to prove that a consoel that does not lose money can still sell (as opposed to the price-induced sales of the 360), through value and offers.

I have no doubt that we'll see not only combo PS3+ games +DS3 very well priced this winter, but also combos including Sony LCD TVs + PS3, or even total packages including LCD TV + PS3 + Home theatre.

Now about the 512Mb XDram thing, I was also confused at first, but it merely is a difference in measurement.
We are thinking Megabytes, wherehas the guy talks in Megabits.
1 Megabyte = 8 Megabits.

So he is talking about 64MB modules.

[Woody]

I absolutely and unequivocally believe that the PS3 will see a $50 price drop this year.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

idk i think that the cell processor and the blu-ray drive are what make the ps3 so damn expensive to make

its quite a bit of things but the Blu-Ray drive not so much anymore since the Blue laser diode in the playstation 3 is for read only. and Sony ramped up production late 2006 the price has been reduced.

as for the Cell the 90nm was the start of the Cell, now its 65nm that has been reduced
just recently.

Ram it seems is on its way too.

[Luis_A51]

While Im still doubtful a price cut is comming, all of you quoting those articles need to sit down and think for a moment.

If you had a company, why would you tell your customers months in advance that a price cut is comming? You do realize that it would significantly hurt current sales until the price cut itself occurs. Plus when the price cut DOES occur, its no longe headline worthy, and thus you need to spend even more on advertising. Clearly, it makes no sense. A surprise price cut would be more effective, especially since its the holiday season soon.

Sony denied the price cuts last time until they were right around the corner. Its just common sense that they arent gonna admit to anything like this until they are ready. This applies to any company.

With that being said, who really knows what Sony is gonna do.

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by joeorc

its quite a bit of things but the Blu-Ray drive not so much anymore since the Blue laser diode in the playstation 3 is for read only. and Sony ramped up production late 2006 the price has been reduced.

as for the Cell the 90nm was the start of the Cell, now its 65nm that has been reduced
just recently.

Ram it seems is on its way too.

didnt MaxPower also say Sony is gonna switch to 45nm in q1 2009?

[PS3-Playb3yond]

New technology for the PS3 definitely means a price drop coming up for sure. It's not hard to believe, it's been a while since a price drop has happened. Plus, to compete with Microsft there has to be one coming up.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Actually everything is gearing up for a price drop in 2009 (cf the 45nm Cells and the new RSX), with -and that's my guess- a possible new "slim" PS3.

For the better or worse, Sony is intent on not dropping prices in 2008, to prove that a consoel that does not lose money can still sell (as opposed to the price-induced sales of the 360), through value and offers.

I have no doubt that we'll see not only combo PS3+ games +DS3 very well priced this winter, but also combos including Sony LCD TVs + PS3, or even total packages including LCD TV + PS3 + Home theatre.

Now about the 512Mb XDram thing, I was also confused at first, but it merely is a difference in measurement.
We are thinking Megabytes, wherehas the guy talks in Megabits.
1 Megabyte = 8 Megabits.

So he is talking about 64MB modules.

i agree also, but i think Sony would indeed sale current stock at a reduced price to burn off stock for a holiday season sale. it may not happen but with the ramp up being over a month ago and it is still the start of the HOLIDAY season. that may be a way to get rid of stock still in the supply chain. esp. in japan