X-bit labs

Qimonda Ships Memory for Xbox 360 Game Console.

Category: Memory

by Anton Shilov

[ 06/30/2006 | 12:27 PM ]

Qimonda AG, the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) arm of Infineon has said in a note that it had began supplying GDDR3 memory to Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 memory console. Given that GDDR3 chips are generally more lucrative than others, this is a positive news for the company, which seeks for profits.

“We are very proud to be selected by Microsoft and to successfully qualify our high-end GDDR3 graphics RAM for the Xbox 360 game console,” said Thomas Seifert, member of the management board of Qimonda.

Qimonda AG was selected by Microsoft as a preferred, comprehensive supplier of graphics DRAM for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console from Microsoft, according to the company. Qimonda said it would supply a significant share of 512Mb GDDR3 chips for the Xbox 360 game console.

In the Xbox 360, each of the eight GDDR3 16Mb x 32 components used operates at a rated clock speed to achieve data bandwidth of up to 5.6GB/s per memory device. The 512Mb GDDR3 comes in a JEDEC compliant 136 ball FBGA package with dimensions of 11mm x 14mm x 1.2mm.

Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine will provide a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games. Depending on the bundle, Microsoft Xbox 360 costs $299 or $399.

“Qimonda’s capabilities to design and deliver highly advanced graphics memory products in large volumes were decisive factors in our selection of Qimonda as a strategic and comprehensive partner for the Xbox 360,” said Todd Holmdahl, vice president of gaming and Xbox platform gGroup at Microsoft.