Principles of FB-DIMM Memory Explained

The Future of Random Access Memory in Computes

by Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 07/12/2005 | 05:48 AM ]

PCStats.com has posted an article about Fully-Buffered Dual Inline Memory Module (FB-DIMM) technology. Basically, FB-DIMM memory combines DDR2 memory chips with a brand-new point-to-point serial memory interface which links each FB-DIMM module together in a chain.

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“FB-DIMM memory uses a bi-directional serial memory bus which passes through each memory module, instead of having a single bus which each module dumps its data onto. Similar to PCI Express and other modern serial technologies, FB-DIMM transmits memory data in packets, precisely controlled by the AMB (Advanced Memory Buffer) chips built into each FB-DIMM module,” explains the web-site.

Since the FB-DIMM type of memory was designed for servers and workstations, those should be the first systems to benefit from the new memory technology.

“In the near future, expect FB-DIMM memory to appear in Intel-based high-end servers first, probably in the fourth quarter of 2005. Intel is already manufacturing AMB chips, while Micron, Kingston and other memory manufacturers like Infineon are churning out as yet unofficial FB-DIMM memory. The JEDEC standards commission is currently working on the official FB-DIMM specifications, but it’s unlikely that there will be any major changes. The technology's debut will probably be with Intel’s upcoming “Blackford” server chipset which also supports dual-core 64-bit capable Xeon processors,” concludes PCStats.com.

“While FB-DIMM technology looks to remain in the server world for the near future, it’s hard to imagine the most basic and attractive component of the technology - the high-speed serial interface - not becoming a standard soon. As DDR2 speeds ramp up and processor capabilities increase, it’s quite possible that the parallel memory bus will become a bottleneck for desktop system performance,” adds the author.

• PCStats.com: Introduction to FB-DIMM Memory Birth of Serial RAM.