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非二進制 DDR5 記憶體登場，準備拯救錢包

2023-01-05T12:27:12+09:00

新的一年有打算幫電腦升級添購記憶體嗎？終於登場的非二進制 DDR5 可能可以拯救你的荷包，不必再花大錢購買你用不到的記憶體。

我們都已經習慣了以「8」當做記憶體的單位，從 8GB、16GB、32GB 到 64 GB，對於只想要使用 20 GB 記憶體的人來說，多花錢買到 32GB 記憶體看來不太聰明。非二進制記憶體（non-binary memory ）可能可以解決這個困擾。

採用非二進制 DDR5 讓用戶可以首次不必翻倍購買記憶體，而是可以有更多選擇，像是 24GB、48GB 或 96GB 等組合，更加靈活，當然也更節省成本。

非二進制記憶體的使用的是 24Gb（gigabit）DRAM 晶片，而非目前標準的 16Gb 模組。若取 20 個 24Gb DRAM 晶片安裝在 DIMM 上，在考慮 ECC 和 metadata 的容量後，就可得到 48GB 的可用記憶體。

根據美光資深業務開發經理 Brian Drake 的說法，以後用戶可輕易的在單條 DIMM 上獲得 96GB 記憶體，而不像以前必須要依賴先進封裝技術才能達成。

要做出 24Gb 晶片，使用的是矽穿孔（Through Silicon Via，TSV）或雙晶片封裝，可讓 DRAM 記憶體供應商的產品達到更高的密度。例如三星的 8 層 TSV 技術，可以實現每個 DRAM 模組密度高達 24GB，一條 DIMM 上最高能有 768GB 記憶體。

目前，各大記憶體製造商包括三星、SK 海力士以及美光在內，都已發表適用非二進制 DIMM 的 24Gb 模組。

彈性選擇 DRAM 容量省下多餘成本

非二進制記憶體的最大賣點，是能夠彈性運用並省下成本。因為從 32GB、64GB 再到 128GB，DRAM 容量翻倍成本隨之增加，繼續向上倍增必定非常昂貴。市場研究機構 CCS Insights 的分析師 Wayne Lam 則點出，若視伺服器需求從 32GB、48GB、64GB 或 96GB 的 DRAM 容量來選擇，可省下不必要的成本支出。

典型資料中心的記憶體用量龐大，成本也相當高，甚至有可能高於運算成本。The Next Platform 網站先前就有報導指出，記憶體的成本占整體伺服器可達 14%，一些業界人士甚至認為這個數字應接近 50%。

舉例而言，如果你的工作每個執行緒需要 3GB 記憶體，採用 96 核心 AMD Epyc 伺服器，每個 Channel 插一條記憶體，將需要至少 576 GB 記憶體來工作。以目前的狀況來看，使用單條 32GB DIMM 會讓你整體差了 192GB，採用單條 64GB 的話，卻又讓你多了用不到的 192 GB。如果改用單條 48GB 記憶體，將會讓你的系統配置成本效益更高。

採用非二進制記憶體目前看來沒有任何缺點，卻能夠更有效率的提供用戶所需的記憶體，以資料中心的規模來看，將會是巨大的影響，對於重視生產力或是重度遊戲玩家來說，也可能是稍微節省成本的新方案。

Non-binary DDR5 is finally coming to save your wallet

（首圖來源：pixabay）

From: https://technews.tw/2023/01/04/non-binary-ddr5-memory/

韩国厂商首次实现DRAM RCD芯片国产化

2022-12-16T17:12:15+09:00

编辑：AVA 发布：2022-12-14 16:16

据韩媒报道，韩国厂商One Semicon 宣布在韩国首次将DDR4 DRAM RCD（Resiter Clock Driver）商业化并开始量产，这是服务器DRAM的重要组成部分。目前韩国所有该产品均从国外进口。预计将产生数千亿韩元的进口替代效应。目前RCD仅有3家公司提供：美国的Rambus、日本的Renesas和中国的澜起。

RCD（Register Clock Driver）是位于DRAM和中央处理器（CPU）之间的半导体，重新分配来自CPU的命令和地址信号。它是服务器 DRAM 模块必不可少的，在高速信号传输中起着重要作用。对于聚集了多个 DRAM 的服务器，RCD 需要安装在 DRAM 模块上。

据QY Research称，内存接口芯片市场规模2021年为6.41亿美元，到2028年将增长至36.12亿美元。考虑到 RCD 是必不可少的组件，韩国存储原厂约占服务器 DRAM 市场的 75%，预计将有数千亿韩元的进口替代价值。

One Semicon 正在根据服务器 DRAM 的增长率提升其技术能力。被认为是下一代内存的 DDR5 DRAM RCD 也正在开发中，并计划在2024年量产。

One Semicon 是一家无晶圆工厂公司，由曾任三星电子 DRAM 开发团队负责人和三星电机 CTO 的 CEO Kim Chang-hyun 于 2018 年 8 月创立。

(From: https://chinaflashmarket.com/News/2022-12/178543)

DDR4 vs. DDR5: What's the Difference, and Should You Upgrade?

2022-12-08T15:03:19+09:00

DDR4 vs. DDR5: What's the Difference, and Should You Upgrade?

BYJOWI MORALES

PUBLISHED 2 DAYS AGO

DDR5 is the latest in RAM technology, but how different is it from DDR4?

If you're looking to upgrade your computer or build a new one from scratch, you've probably heard of DDR5 RAM. DDR5 is the latest development in RAM technology, promising faster performance and larger RAM capacities while reducing power consumption.

But what exactly does it improve upon on DDR4? And is it worth spending on upgrading your system? Let's compare DDR4 and DDR5 RAM and investigate the issue below.

DDR4 vs. DDR5

The biggest headlining feature that manufacturers promote for their DDR5 RAM products is its speed. The fastest DDR4 you can buy now only offers 5000 MHz, while DDR5's minimum speed is 4800 MHz.

For example, some of the best DDR5 RAM already boast speeds of 6000 MHz—but this is still below the standard's theoretical limit of 8400MHz. And as the technology is continuously developed, you can expect this limit to increase, as in the case of previous DDR generations.

But aside from these speeds, what else does DDR5 offer over DDR4?

Image Credit: Galina Sharapova/Shutterstock

Memory Capacity

The largest DDR4 RAM you can buy is 64GB, but these are rare, expensive, and specialized equipment. Most typical consumer RAM sticks top out at 32GB, and most gaming motherboards allow you up to 64GB.

While you can get larger RAM capacities by going for motherboards with eight RAM slots or more, these are typically server- or commercial-grade motherboards and require specialized RAM sticks.

But with DDR5, the smallest RAM modules usually start at 16GB, with 32GB options readily available. This option will double most consumer motherboards with four RAM slots to 128GB of total RAM.

Eventually, we're expecting DDR5 RAM to go as high as 64 to 128GB per stick, thus bringing RAM capacities up to 512GB for four-slot and 1TB for eight-slot boards. Nevertheless, not all motherboards support those large capacities—even if it's DDR5-compatible. Before upgrading to larger RAM, you must first check your computer's maximum RAM capacity.

Voltage Requirements

Image Credit: Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock

Looking at the latest GPUs, you'll find that every new GPU generation is getting bigger and consumes more power. You might think that DDR5 RAM might do the same, becoming physically larger and consuming more power than the previous generation DDR4, but this cannot be further from the truth.

DDR5 standards require a 1.1-volt IO voltage—0.1 volts lower than DDR4's 1.2-volt requirement. While this might seem like a minute decrease, the fact that DDR5 is almost doubling the performance of most DDR4 RAM sticks while simultaneously decreasing its power requirement is astounding.

DDR5 also moves voltage regulation onboard instead of keeping it on the motherboard. This will potentially simplify motherboard design while allowing manufacturers greater control over component quality.

While this will increase the RAM modules' operating temperature, the cooling solutions for most high-end RAM sticks should be enough to cool it.

ECC

ECC stands for Error Correction Code, which you can find on ECC RAM. This specialized functionality ensures that the data stored in your RAM and sent to your CPU isn't corrupted. This is primarily useful for data centers and large commercial operations that work with crucial data (like polling data) and requires specialized processors and motherboards that support it.

But with the increasing capacities of DDR5 RAM, each DDR5 RAM stick now has a built-in ECC chip. This will help with stability, ensuring that data stored temporarily in the RAM isn't corrupted. However, the ECC chip in DDR5 RAM only ensures data integrity within the RAM—it will not check the data it's transferring between the RAM and CPU.

Issues When Upgrading to DDR5 RAM

Now that you've seen the advantage of DDR5 RAM, it's tempting to go out and upgrade your PC for faster and bigger RAM. However, it's not as simple as removing your old DDR4 RAM and replacing it with a DDR5 stick.

DDR5 RAM Sticks Aren't Physically Compatible With DDR4 Slots

Given the difference in voltage requirements and other crucial modules, DDR5 RAM is physically incompatible with DDR4 slots. Because of this, you can't just swap out DDR4 for DDR5 RAM. Instead, you'll have to buy a new motherboard that specifically supports DDR5 RAM.

You also have to consider your current processor. If you're rocking an 11th-Gen Intel Core processor, an AM4 AMD CPU, or anything older than those, you're likely stuck with DDR4 RAM. If you want faster and larger RAM, you'll have to ensure that you buy an Intel LGA 1700 or AMD AM5 socket motherboard.

You Have to Choose DDR5-Compatible Motherboards When Getting an LGA 1700 Motherboard

The AM5 socket for AMD processors launched in 2022 only supports DDR5 RAM, ensuring that if you upgrade to a Ryzen 7000-series CPU, you must have DDR5 RAM. However, this is not the case for Intel's 12th-Gen and 13th-Gen CPUs.

Since the LGA 1700 socket used by Intel's processor is compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, you have to ensure that the motherboard you're getting for them is compatible with the RAM you're buying.

Image Credit: Serhii Opikanets/Shutterstock

If you choose the more affordable DDR4, you'll get relatively good performance at an affordable price. However, you can expect that newer software and games will take advantage of the faster speed and higher capacity of DDR5 RAM.

Because of that, you'll want to upgrade to DDR5 later. But that means you'll have to get both DDR5 RAM and a motherboard that supports it, thus making upgrades more expensive in the future than just buying RAM.

Should You Upgrade to DDR5 Today?

If you're getting a new PC today and have the budget for DDR5 RAM and a compatible motherboard, then you should go for it. But if you're already stretching your wallet to get the latest CPU and GPU, you can settle for DDR4 at the moment (unless you're planning to get an AM5 socket AMD CPU, in which case, you have to get DDR5 RAM).

That's because you can expect prices for DDR5 RAM and DDR5-compatible motherboards to fall further as the technology matures.

But it's not worth it if you're planning to spend a boatload of cash just to get faster and larger RAM. If you already have a DDR5-compatible CPU with DDR4 RAM, you're already getting increased performance, and the gains you will get from this update are only marginal.

DDR5 Ram Is the Future, But It Can Wait

DDR5 RAM offers increased speed and capacity, and it simply makes sense for developers and programmers to consider this when creating software. Soon, you'll find that games and other apps will take advantage of this, thus increasing the required minimum RAM in the future.

If you're upgrading your computer today, including DDR5 in your plan makes sense. But if you want bigger RAM but don't need it right now, why not hold off on your upgrade plans? You can expect prices for DDR5 RAM and compatible motherboards to fall, especially as manufacturers get into mass-producing these latest bits of kit.

Original source: https://www.makeuseof.com/ddr4-vs-ddr5-should-you-upgrade/

去中國化！手機、筆電、伺服器加速離中印度越南台灣2024正式接手

2022-11-28T17:53:02+09:00

美中貿易戰演變成美中科技戰，在品牌廠商堅持下，供應鏈出現「去中化」，而且趨勢成形後，速度不斷提升，DIGITIMES Research顧問分析師兼總監黃建智表示，資通訊三大產品包括手機、筆電、伺服器由中國區移轉至非中國區比重變化明顯，伺服器轉往台灣動作更為積極，2024年台灣伺服器產能有機會達40%~50%，正式超過中國比重。

DIGITIMES舉行科技大勢2023論壇。圖 / 張家豪攝影。

DIGITIMES Research今（25）日舉辦「科技大勢2023」論壇，以半導體、電動車、手機、筆電、B5G、伺服器六大產業為主軸進行研討，黃建智並以「從生產據點轉移看電子製造供應鏈發展新篇章」為題，分析台廠韌性供應鏈移轉變化。

黃建智分析資通訊三大產品產能配置變化，從筆電產品來看，2022年中國大陸產能占比大於95%，其餘地區包括越南、台灣都小於1%，但預計到2024年，中國占比將降至50%~60%，取得代之是越南提升至15%~20%，包括泰國、印度，台灣占比也都有個位數提升。

DIGITIMES Research顧問分析師兼總監黃建智。圖／DIGITIMES提供。

而手機產品方面，2022年中國大陸占比大約50%，印度、越南、印度、印尼、巴西等均分享其餘產能，但到2024年，中國占比將降至38~42%，急起直追的是印度，將由20%~25%，快速拉高至30%~35%。

最值得留意的是伺服器產品，2022年中國大陸占比55%~60%，而台灣與墨西哥在2024年產能占比將達40%~50%與10%，中國大陸將會下降至40%以下，占比將被台灣超越。

黃建智強調，隨著2022年結束，戰事、能源等影響因素降低，美國通膨預期趨緩，預估2023年第3季至第4季三大供應鏈景氣邁向正常化，全球手機、筆電供應鏈朝China+N發展，印度、越南將成為最大焦點，而受惠雲端趨勢穩定需求，台廠三大供應鏈景氣展望將以伺服器最佳。

DIGITIMES Research從指標電子製造業者營收分布及布局生產據點可以知道，因應產能備援及新事業需要，電子製造業者將更積極分散或擴大生產據點，數位化管理將更獲得重視。

Photo by Getty Images.

（審核：呂俊儀）

"새는 전기 잡아라"…삼성·SK하이닉스, HKMG 공정 D램 상용화

2022-11-21T11:53:52+09:00

[아이뉴스24 민혜정 기자] 삼성전자와 SK하이닉스가 누설 전류를 잡아 전력 효율과 동작 속도를 높인 D램을 상용화했다. 이들 업체는 새로운 공정 기술 적용으로 공정 미세화 한계를 극복한다는 전략이다.

13일 업계에 따르면 삼성과 SK하이닉스는 D램에 '하이 케이 메탈 게이트(HKMG)' 공정을 도입했다.

양사는 반도체 공정 미세화에 따른 누설 전류를 막기 위해 유전율이 높은 물질로 절연막을 만들어 고성능과 저전력을 동시 구현했다.

삼성전자 HKMG 공정 DDR5 D램 [사진=삼성전자]

절연막은 전자의 누설을 방지하는 역할을 하는 층이다. 공정 미세화로 트랜지스터 크기가 작아지면서 절연막의 두께도 감소하고 있다.

그러나 두께가 너무 얇아지게 되면 누설 전류가 증가하게 된다. 이는 곧 반도체 신뢰성 문제로 직결된다.

두 회사는 이를 해결하기 위해 절연효과가 높은 물질을 새롭게 적용했다고 설명했다. 기존 '폴리실리콘옥시나이트라이드(PSiON)' 대신 유전상수 K가 큰, 즉 유전율이 높은(High-K) 물질로 절연막을 만들어 두께는 줄이면서 누설전류를 줄인 셈이다. 또 새로운 절연막에 적합하도록 기존 폴리실리콘에서 메탈 게이트로 바꿨다.

테크인사이츠에 따르면 삼성전자는 최근 HKMG 공정 기반의 DDR5 D램을 대만 컴퓨터 하드웨어 제조업체 지스킬에 공급했다.

삼성전자는 지난해 3월 HKMG 공정을 적용한 512GB DDR5 메모리 모듈을 개발했다.

DDR5는 DDR4보다 성능이 약 2배 향상된 PC·서버 D램 규격이다. 데이터 전송 속도는 칩 기준 최대 7천200Mbps며, D램 칩을 모아 만든 모듈은 30GB 용량 UHD 영화 2편 정도를 1초에 처리할 수 있는 성능을 갖췄다.

삼성전자 관계자는 "HKMG 공정 적용으로 DDR5 모듈은 성능이 향상되면서 전력 소모는 13% 감소했다"고 설명했다.

SK하이닉스는 업계 최초로 모바일용 D램에 HKMG 공정을 도입한 LPDDR5X 개발을 완료하고 판매를 시작했다.

최근 판매를 시작한 SK하이닉스의 초저전력 LPDDR5X [사진=SK하이닉스 ]

이 제품은 국제반도체표준협의기구(JEDEC)가 정한 초저전압 범위인 1.01~1.12V에서 작동하면서 이전 세대 대비 소비전력을 25% 줄이는 데도 성공해 전력사용 효율성을 확보했다.

모바일용 D램으로 불리는 LPDDR의 경우 규격명에 LP(Low Power)라는 표현이 사용된 만큼 낮은 전력 소비가 최대 관건이다. 모바일의 경우 전력이 한정돼 있기 때문에 제품의 사용 시간을 늘리기 위해선 전력소비를 최대한 줄여야 한다.

LPDDR5X를 통해 D램의 소비전력이 낮아지면서 해당 제품이 적용된 모바일 디바이스는 한번 충전으로 오랜 시간 사용할 수 있을 전망이다. 또 이번 LPDDR5X는 이전 세대 대비 33% 빠른 8.5Gbps의 동작 속도를 지원한다.

SK하이닉스 관계자는 "LPDDR5X는 모바일용 D램 중에서는 최초로 HKMG 공정을 도입한 것"이라며 "속도 향상은 물론 소비전력 감소라는 두 마리 토끼를 모두 잡았다"고 말했다.

/민혜정 기자(hye555@inews24.com)

출처: https://www.inews24.com/view/1538209

"올해 반도체 웨이퍼 147억in² 출하…신기록 쓸 듯"

2022-11-14T14:24:07+09:00

반도체 업황이 나빠졌지만 올해 실리콘 원판(Wafer·웨이퍼)은 가장 많이 출하될 것으로 전망됐다.

8일 국제반도체장비재료협회(SEMI)는 올해 세계에서 출하되는 웨이퍼 면적을 147억 제곱인치(in²)로 내다봤다.

SK실트론 직원들이 반도체 웨이퍼 제품을 소개하고 있다.(사진=SK실트론)

지난해보다 4.8% 늘어 신기록을 쓸 것으로 기대했다. 내년 출하 면적은 올해보다 0.6% 줄어든 146억 제곱인치로 예상했다. 2024년과 2025년에는 각각 6.5%, 6% 늘어나며 증가세를 되찾을 것으로 관측했다.

SEMI 관계자는 “세계적으로 거시경제가 둔화해 내년 웨이퍼 출하량이 줄어들 것”이라면서도 “데이터센터·자동차·산업용 반도체 수요가 강해 2024년부터 다시 성장할 것”이라고 말했다.

웨이퍼는 반도체 집적회로를 만드는 데 쓰는 핵심 원재료다. 실리콘 기둥을 썰어 얇은 원판 모양이다. 지름은 1~12인치로 다양하다. 웨이퍼 위에 전자회로를 그린 뒤 잘라내면 반도체 칩이 된다.

출처: https://zdnet.co.kr/view/?no=20221108163540

矽晶圓 2023 年出貨成長恐放緩，2024 年可望反彈創高

2022-11-08T14:39:42+09:00

全球半導體矽晶圓今年出貨面積可望逼近 147 億平方英吋，將創新高。國際半導體產業協會預期，2023 年矽晶圓出貨成長恐將放緩，不過，2024 年將可反彈，出貨創新高。

國際半導體產業協會（SEMI）預估，今年全球半導體矽晶圓出貨面積將達146.94億平方英吋，將較去年增加4.8%，並創新高。

（Source：SEMI）

SEMI預期，由於總體經濟條件充滿挑戰，2023年半導體矽晶圓出貨面積成長恐將放緩，約146億平方英吋，較今年略減0.6%。

受通膨、升息等因素影響，個人電腦及智慧手機等市場需求疲軟，產業鏈庫存問題嚴重，台積電預期，明年全球半導體業產值恐將面臨衰退窘境。聯電也預期，明年晶圓代工業產值將負成長。

SEMI預期，在資料中心、汽車及工業應用對半導體的強勁需求驅動下，隨後幾年半導體矽晶圓出貨面積將出現反彈，2024年可望增加6.5%，達155.55億平方英吋，2025年再增加6%，進一步達164.9億平方英吋規模。

（作者：張建中；首圖來源：shutterstock）

來源 : https://technews.tw/2022/11/08/httpswww-semi-orgennews-media-press-releasessemi-press-releasesglobal-silicon-wafer-shipments-projected-to-set-new-record-in-2022-semi-reports/

為下次復甦週期做準備，三星記憶體不考慮減產

2022-10-31T10:23:27+09:00

南韓媒體報導，三星電子 27 日宣布，第三季營收為 76.78 兆韓圜，營業利益為 10.85 兆韓圜，較 2021 年同期營收成長 3.79% 創歷史新高，但營業利益下滑 31.39%。淨利也下降 23.62%，金額到 9.39 兆韓圜。營業利益下滑與淨利下滑主因是記憶體市況惡化。

BusinessKorea 報導，三星電子表示，由於企業客戶大量庫存調整，使市場需求減弱，衝擊記憶體部門獲利表現。不過 2023 年全球資料中心持續投資，分析機構預測，2023 下半年市況將改善，DRAM 需求會復甦。三星不考慮減產，以準備規劃中長期復甦需求。

三星分析，第三季全球 DRAM 供應量較第二季萎縮 10% 以上，且 DRAM 平均售價也下滑 20%，使全球 DRAM 市占率第一的三星第三季庫存到 57.3 兆韓圜，較第二季增加 5.2 兆韓圜。三星 2022 年計劃年度資本支出 54 兆韓圜，47.7 兆韓圜將投資半導體，已執行 33 兆韓圜，半導體部分執行 29.1 兆韓圜。

雖然三星第三季半導體業務表現不佳，但其他業務部門表現相對好。行動通訊事業部（MX，Mobile Experience）營業利益 3.53 兆韓圜，顯示器部門（SDC）營業利益 1.98 兆韓圜。

(首圖來源：三星)

From: https://finance.technews.tw/2022/10/28/samsung-memory-not-considering-production-cuts/

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