Micron Technology and Nanya Technology today announced that they have jointly developed a 2-gigabit (Gb) DDR3 memory device using their new copper-based 42-nanometer (nm) DRAM process technology.

DDR3 is the memory technology used in high-performance computing applications including servers, notebooks and desktop computers.

The move to smaller process geometries is fundamentally important for maintaining manufacturing cost efficiencies while also providing benefits including lower power, higher performance, greater density, and smaller die sizes. The new 42nm process now makes 1.35-volts the standard, mainstream voltage requirement, compared to 1.5-volt with previous generations. Reducing memory power consumption is critical to today's server environments, where power and cooling infrastructure costs can be comparable to the costs for the server equipment. With increasing memory requirements in servers, it has been estimated that memory power consumption can be up to 21-watts per module. The 1.35 voltage can provide a savings of up to 30-percent in these applications, reducing both power and cooling requirements.

Faster memory speed grades are important for achieving maximum system performance. By shrinking process technology, the new 2Gb 42nm DDR3 device delivers improved memory performance capable of reaching up to 1866 megabits per second. In addition, the small die size coupled with the 2Gb density of the 42nm DDR3 device enables modules up to 16GBs.

"With the move to 42nm - and with a 3Xnm process working in our R&D fab in Boise - Micron's expertise in copper metallization and proprietary cell capacitor technology has enabled us to stay on the cutting-edge of DRAM process design and innovation," said Robert Feurle, vice president of DRAM marketing.

The new 42nm DRAM process technology uses the more efficient and reliable copper metallization technology, allowing Micron and Nanya to stay on the leading-edge of process scaling. Micron has long recognized the benefits of copper in aiding DRAM scale, and has continued to leverage and refine the technology for nearly a decade. When compared to other metallization techniques, such as aluminum, copper is recognized as the more extendible, reliable and cost-effective approach for advancing process geometries and enhancing product performance.

Sampling of the new 42nm DDR3 is scheduled to start in the second calendar quarter of 2010, with production ramp planned for the second half of the year.