Memory is stupid. Although you can amp throughput speeds and do all sorts of fun stuff with a chunk of flash, when it comes right down to it the real value in a PC or game machine is the CPU. Not anymore.
RAMBUS is working on multi-threaded memory which grabs memory intelligently. CPUs already access chunks of memory efficiently, but only in 32-byte chunks. This system will allow memory to figure out if these chunks need to be slightly smaller and are not contiguous. It’s kind of like the difference between a Home Depot and an old time hardware store. Old memory offers stuff in bulk and if hammers aren’t near the paint, god help you. In the old time hardware store, a helpful little man will be able to find you whichever washer you need in seconds, allowing you to bypass all the big stuff and go straight for the things you’re looking for. At least that’s how I see it, but I’m dumb, so I could be wrong. It’s not a new idea, but RAMBUS is going to make it consumer grade, putting it in graphics cards—some of the most egregious memory thrashers around.
[Edited for clarity. John, it appears, is taking too much medication. – Ed.]
Rambus’s microthreaded graphics DRAM [ArsTechica]
