Micron this week introduced that it had begun sampling of its 256 GB multiplexer mixed (MCR) DIMMs, the corporate’s highest-capacity reminiscence modules thus far. These brand-new DDR5-based MCRDIMMs are aimed toward next-generation servers, significantly these powered by Intel’s Xeon Scalable ‘Granite Rapids’ processors which are set to assist 12 or 24 reminiscence slots per socket. Usage of those modules can allow datacenter machines with three TB or 6 TB of reminiscence, with the mixed ranks permitting for impact information charges of DDR5-8800.
“We also started sampling our 256 GB MCRDIMM module, which further enhances performance and increases DRAM content per server,” mentioned Sanjay Mehrotra, chief govt of Micron, in ready remarks for the corporate’s earnings name this week.
In addition to saying sampling of those modules, Micron additionally demonstrated them at NVIDIA’s GTC convention, the place server distributors and clients alike are abuzz at constructing new servers for the subsequent technology of AI accelerators. Our colleagues from Tom’s Hardware have managed to seize a few photos of Micron’s 256 GB DDR5-8800 MCR DIMMs.
Image Credit: Tom’s Hardware
Apparently, Micron’s 256 GB DDR5-8800 MCRDIMMs are available in two variants: a taller module with 80 DRAM chips distributed on either side, and a standard-height module utilizing 2Hi stacked packages. Both are primarily based on monolithic 32 Gb DDR5 ICs and are engineered to cater to totally different server configurations with the standard-height MCRDIMM adressing 1U servers.The taller model consumes about 20W of energy, which is according to expectations as a 128 GB DDR5-8000 RDIMM consumes round 10W in DDR5-4800 mode. I do not know about energy consumption of the model that makes use of 2Hi packages, although count on it to be a bit of bit hotter and tougher to chill down.
Image Credit: Tom’s Hardware
Multiplexer Combined Ranks (MCR) DIMMs are dual-rank reminiscence modules that includes a specialised buffer that permits each ranks to function concurrently. This buffer allows the 2 bodily ranks to function as if they have been separate modules working in parallel, which permits for concurrent retrieval of 128 bytes of knowledge from each ranks per clock cycle (in comparison with 64 bytes per cycle in terms of common reminiscence modules), successfully doubling efficiency of a single module. Of course, because the modules retains bodily interface of normal DDR5 modules (i.e., 72-bits), the buffer works with host at a really excessive information switch price to switch that fetched information to the host CPU. These speeds exceed the usual DDR5 specs, reaching 8800 MT/s on this case.
While MCR DIMMs make reminiscence modules barely extra advanced than common RDIMMs, they enhance efficiency and capability of reminiscence subsystem with out rising the variety of reminiscence modules concerned, which makes it simpler to construct server motherboards. These modules are poised to play an important position in enabling the subsequent technology of servers to deal with more and more demanding functions, significantly within the AI area.
Sources: Tom’s Hardware, Micron
