Samsung Electronics announced that it has begun mass producing 256Mb XDR DRAM devices, a new type of memory developed by Rambus, that targets multimedia applications that require the ability to process high-quality video, such as the latest game consoles, digital TVs, servers and workstations.

The Samsung 256Mb XDR DRAM incorporates Rambus’ Octal Data Rate process that transfers data at eight bits per clock cycle, while cranking up the transfer speed to an industry-leading 8GB/s per XDIMM. To transfer data in a stable manner at the extremely high speeds, Samsung is utilizing Differential Rambus Signal Level (DRSL) technology.

Samsung’s current XDR DRAM devices operate at 2.0GHz clock-speed, significantly reduced frequency compared to Rambus’ advertised 3.20GHz operating frequency. But Samsung said it plans to introduce a 512Mb XDR DRAM, capable of transferring data as fast as 12.8GB/s (3.20GHz) per XDIMM, during the first half of this year.

“XDR technology has tremendous potential to become a leading memory solution for today's highest-performance multimedia applications and we’re quite enthusiastic about its prospects,” said Mueez Deen, marketing director, graphics memory, Samsung Semiconductor.

It is unclear who will use Samsung’s XDIMM modules today.

Numerous leading consumer electronics companies, such as Sony or Panasonic, said they would adopt Rambus’ XDR memory for their devices, including Sony’s PlayStation 3 console and Panasonic’s digital TV-sets. Certain networking companies are also interested in XDR. Another target market for XDR memory may be graphics cards, according to reports in 2004.

XDR DRAM can operate at 3.20GHz to 6.40GHz clock-speeds, providing industry leading bandwidth per pin, which is a benefit for networking and consumer applications.