ATI engineers became the first to demonstrate a visual processing unit (VPU) powered by second-generation double-data rate (DDR) dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), known as DDR-2. ATI also announced a DDR-2 variant for mobile graphics and mid-range desktop graphics, code-named DDR-2M, and demonstrated the technology working on a desktop graphics card. DDR-2M delivers DDR-2 performance with lower power consumption, reduced heat dissipation and simplified board design. ATI worked closely with Elpida Memory Inc to develop DDR-2M as part of ATI's ongoing commitment to moving technology innovation aggressively out to the masses. Seen as a clear improvement on existing DDR DRAM technology that first arrived on the market in 1998, DDR 2 and DDR-2M follow and leverage the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council's (JEDEC) DDR-2 specification. DDR-2 is the technological foundation for the eagerly anticipated third-generation DRAM for graphics (GDDR3) due out next year, an industry-wide initiative led by ATI. DDR-2 and DDR-2M are evolutionary DRAMs designed with the goals of improving high-end graphics performance, signal integrity and reliability while simplifying design. "ATI is a leader in adopting and defining memory technology to advance and define tomorrow's visual reality," said Joe Macri, Director of Technology, ATI Technologies Inc, and Chairman, JC42.3 DRAM Committee, JEDEC. "With the RADEON 9700 PRO, ATI demonstrated that leadership by defining the GDDR3 spec and becoming the first to ship a VPU with a high-speed 256 bit memory interface, and that leadership continues today with the first DDR-2 and DDR-2M powered graphics boards." "We expect that, given competitive pricing and the support of the major graphics controller and memory vendors, DDR-2 will take over from DDR as the market's favored memory type for graphics cards, at least in the short term, because it supports higher speed and wider bandwidth and will be available before DDR-2 for main memory," said Soo-Kyoum Kim, IDC memory analyst. "Elpida is pleased to be working with ATI to develop advanced memory technologies that will drive the cinematic revolution," said Jun Kitano, Director of Technical Marketing at Elpida Memory (USA), Inc. "Elpida is focused on supporting innovative graphics technology for mainstream and mobile applications, and both ATI and Elpida are equally committed to making this leading-edge technology available to the widest possible cross-section of the market so all users can benefit." Source: ATI Rancho*: Paper bluff... When? Where? Pics? We'll see...