Samsung Electronics has begun shipping the world's first 512-megabit (Mb) GDDR3 memory device which is the most advanced graphics double-data-rate synchronous DRAM available for graphics card makers, as well as electronic game console manufacturers.

The new Samsung device has at least twice the density of any graphics memory available today, enabling much richer textures in gaming imagery.

"With our new 512 megabit GDDR3 memory, we can provide sharply improved performance, reduced power consumption and more efficient space utilization for 512 megabyte graphics cards," said Mueez Deen, Director of Marketing, Graphics Memory, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.

In November 2003, Samsung introduced 256Mb GDDR3 memory and holds the largest share of the market for graphics memory embedded in high-end graphics cards.

Market analysts predict that the 2005 graphics DRAM market will be 30 percent higher than this year's figure, reaching close to US$1.47 billion. The Samsung 512Mb GDDR3, the first JEDEC-standard GDDR3 to operate at up to 1.6Gbps, is faster than any other graphics memory on the market.

Mass production of the 512Mb GDDR3 will begin early next year.