GTC 2024 ended last week, but we still have a few things to report. We’re thinking in particular of the RAM sector, where Micron was showing off a huge 256 GB array!
256 GB in one RAM array for Micron!
As you can see, Micron’s memory is massive and features a large number of memory chips: 80 32 Gb chips according to Tom’s Hardware. All this contributes to a capacity of 256 GB per module. However, the brand is also planning more compact modules for 1U servers. However, this will be done using 2Hi chips, thus limiting the surface area occupied, but increasing heating.
As for power consumption, we’ve learned that the module draws 20W, twice as much as the brand’s 128GB modules.
We’re talking about dual-rank memory here. Via a special buffer, the two rows of memory can operate simultaneously and independently. What’s more, this buffer allows 128 bytes of data to be retrieved per row per clock cycle, compared with 64 bytes for conventional memory… on a single row.
Finally, we learn that Micron has already begun supplying its customers with this type of memory. What’s more, we can expect to see it on future Intel server platforms, notably the Xeon Granite Rapid. With this type of memory, servers will be able to carry between 3 and 6 TB of RAM, depending on the number of RAM slots on the platform.
