A lot of computer hardware analysts and industry observers, including me, originally had numerous doubts in regards Quad Band Memory (QBM) prospects (for example, see this news-story), however, it seems that Kentron Technologies, as well as some other members of QBM Alliance, now confirm that there will be QBM products on the market next year. Although we heard the same a year ago, now it seems that they speak truth, since high-performance platforms that offer wide-bandwidth will be in demand next year given that Intel decided to roll-out their Pentium 4 chips with 800MHz Quad Pumped Bus in the second quarter 2003.

Kentron and its channel partners will be introducing QBM533 (4.2GB/s) modules using DDR266 memory chips in the first quarter 2003. The modules may be utilized with new VIA P4X800 based mainboards from VIA Technologies. The QBM533 modules combined with the P4X800 memory controllers will match the fast 533MHz front side bus of Intel Pentium CPUs and provide the highest performance single channel solution in the system marketplace. As the CPUs move to the faster 667MHz and 800MHz PSBs, Kentron will be providing QBM based solutions to meet those speeds using available low cost DDR333 and DDR400 memory chips. QBM800 memory modules based on DDR400 devices will be available in the second half of 2003, just after Intel unveils its Pentium 4 CPUs with 800MHz (6.4GB/s) Quad Pumped Bus.

At the moment there are two memory module manufacturers in the QBM Alliance: PNY Technologies and ATP Electronics. Both companies have not confirmed their plans to produce QBM memory modules, not talking about availability, quantities and pricing of such devices.

Also see the following news-stories to become fully awared of QBM:

- QBM Alliance Expands. New Members Enter
- VIA to Push QBM DRAM. Much Ado About Nothing or Revolution?
- About QBM to be Supported by System Chipsets
- QBM DIMM Modules Announced
- About QBM SDRAM Pricing and More...
- VIA "to Increase" the Bandwidth of DDR SDRAM?