Intel Unveils Cache DRAM as AMD 3D V-Cache Rival: Boosts Speed and Efficiency

Intel has partnered with Samsung to develop Cache DRAM, a technology that promises to rival AMD's 3D V-Cache processors and enhance speed, efficiency, and capacity in Intel's processors.

Cache DRAM has the potential to reduce power consumption by 60% and boost data transfer by 50% compared to existing HBM solutions.
Intel's collaboration with Samsung will reduce costs and increase capacity.
Mass production of cache DRAM-powered chips is expected to commence in 2025.

Intel has announced its latest innovation in the form of Cache DRAM, a technology that aims to rival AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors. AMD’s Ryzen X3D V-Cache processors have been hailed as the fastest gaming chips on the market, boasting an impressive 144MB of on-die cache. This has posed a significant threat to Intel, whose primary response thus far has been to increase boost clock speeds. However, Intel is now teaming up with Samsung to develop a worthy competitor to AMD’s 3D-stacked CPUs.

Samsung is currently working on its next-generation “cache DRAM” technology, which has the potential to replace the expensive HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) chips. HBM chips consist of multiple DRAM dies stacked vertically, with the base die connected to the primary CPU or GPU die. While HBM is known for its power efficiency and wide bus, it has primarily been used in GPUs and data center accelerators.

Cache DRAM, on the other hand, utilizes a single chip with the capacity of multiple HBM dies stacked directly on top of the CPU or GPU compute die. This proximity to the processing units significantly reduces Latency and improves efficiency. Samsung claims that cache DRAM can reduce power consumption by 60% while boosting data transfer by 50% compared to existing HBM solutions. However, dissipating the heat generated by the 3D-stacked DRAM remains a primary concern.

TSMC, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, has secured long-term contracts with nVidia and AMD thanks to its advanced 3D packaging technologies. TSMC’s CoWoS and SoIC packaging technologies have proven popular, with NVIDIA’s Tensor core GPUs and AMD’s EPYC Milan and Genoa-X CPUs utilizing them. However, TSMC’s capacity is currently strained due to high demand.

Intel has partnered with Samsung to implement cache DRAM in its processors and plans to offer it to third parties through its Foundry. Samsung has two 2.5D packaging technologies, H-Cube and I-Cube, similar to TSMC’s FOWLP 2.5D solution. However, the cache DRAM option will leverage X-Cube 3D stacking, supported by Intel’s collaboration, to reduce costs and increase capacity.

Mass production of cache DRAM-powered chips is expected to commence in 2025, with Intel leading the way in manufacturing the first processors. NVIDIA has also expressed interest in this technology and hopes to integrate it into its data center products.

Overall, Intel’s unveiling of cache DRAM as a rival to AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors marks an important development in the ongoing competition between the two tech giants. With Samsung’s expertise and collaboration, Intel aims to enhance speed and efficiency in its processors while reducing costs and expanding capacity. The future of cache DRAM looks promising, and its impact on the gaming and data center markets is eagerly anticipated.

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Background Information

About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming expertise, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

About Samsung: Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

About TSMC: TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is a semiconductor foundry based in Taiwan. Established in 1987, TSMC is a important player in the global semiconductor industry, specializing in the manufacturing of semiconductor wafers for a wide range of clients, including technology companies and chip designers. The company is known for its semiconductor fabrication processes and plays a critical role in advancing semiconductor technology worldwide.

Technology Explained

CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

EPYC: EPYC is a technology designed by computer chip manufacturer AMD for use in the server and data center industry. It was introduced in June 2017 and features an innovative design to improve performance and power efficiency. EPYC processor technology is based on an innovative 14nm processor architecture, allowing up to 32 high-performance cores in a single socket. This allows for more efficient processing power, increased memory bandwidth, and greater compute density. EPYC is now widely used in the data center and cloud computing industry and provides benefits such as greater scalability, increased resource efficiency, and advanced virtualization capabilities. Additionally, EPYC technology is used in data intensive servers like server farms, gaming, and virtualization platforms. EPYC ensures that even with large deployments in multi-processor environments, power consumption and performance levels are optimized to ensure maximum efficiency.

Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.