Xbox 360: Embedded DRAM Spec Confirmed

[bustabusta196]

Today, NEC Electronics has confirmed that Microsoft will incorporate leading-edge embedded DRAM (eDRAM) technology from NEC Electronics in the Xbox 360. The high-performance eDRAM macros designed by NEC Electronics are a key piece of the graphics subsystem and will enable the console to provide users with a stunning high-definition graphics experience.

In a world exclusive, TeamXbox was the first publication to reveal the existence of the embedded video RAM back in February, 2004. Last week, we also revealed the ATI patent for a “method and apparatus for supporting anti-aliasing oversampling in a video graphics system that utilizes a custom memory for storage of the frame buffer.” In layman terms, that is embedded video RAM for the GPU to use it as a frame buffer.


The eDRAM graphics chip is manufactured in NEC Electronics' 300-millimeter (mm) wafer fabrication facility, which runs the company's most advanced processes.

"The next-generation Xbox platform will provide gamers with a highly advanced graphics experience," said Todd Holmdahl, corporate vice president, Xbox Product Group. "NEC Electronics' cutting-edge embedded DRAM technology plays a vital role in enabling our graphics engine's performance, while its manufacturing process provides a reliable resource that can deliver the volumes required to support what will be an extremely popular gaming platform."

"Microsoft's next-generation Xbox platform promises to be a revolutionary gaming platform and must-have consumer device," said Hirokazu Hashimoto, executive vice president, NEC Electronics Corporation. "NEC Electronics is pleased to be an integral part of this device and looks forward to working with Microsoft to make the next-generation Xbox platform a top seller."

Microsoft wants to eliminate current graphics architectures' bottlenecks and this embedded DRAM solution is the key to enable advanced visuals at high resolutions.

The name "embedded DRAM" is used because the memory is embedded directly onto a chip. The advantage of embedded RAM is that it offers a speed and bandwidth far superior to conventional out-of-the-chip memory. Think of it as comparing system memory (your computer RAM) with a microprocessor's cache memory.

Of course, this memory will be of a limited size because it is a lot more expensive than regular external memory.

The use of the embedded DRAM can be better understood when viewing the following image from the ATI patent:




The figure illustrates a block diagram of a “graphics processing system” that supports oversampling anti-aliasing. The system includes a graphics processor (GPU), a sample memory (the standard memory on today's video cards) and a custom memory module (the embedded RAM).

This custom memory has been created mostly to perform anti-aliasing operations and help overcome today's biggest problem in graphics: memory bandwidth. By using this embedded RAM, which is similar to a processor's cache memory, the Xbox 360 will be able to run games at 720p HDTV resolution, that is 1280x720, with full screen anti-aliasing and almost no impact on framerate.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8126/X...pec-Confirmed/

[Epsilon-Zero]

yeah this just confirms the use of eDRAM. both ms and sony will have these types of frame buffer caches in order to make HD standard thruout all games. takes alot of system resources to display at these kinds of resolutions. not anything new to the pc domain but the next step for consoles.

oh yah wasnt there some guy from EGM a while back that said the eDRAM was worthless?

[luxurys]

Hey Justin,

Thanks for your e-mails, and sorry about the delay in getting back to
you. I've passed on your details to our Sega marketing peeps, who will
be contacting you shortly with details on how to proceed.

Thanks!

Ben Ward
Community & Web Lead
Bizarre Creations

Hi Justin, Ben over at Bizarre Creations sent me your details,
mentioning that you are interested to hear more about The Club.



I'm in charge of European PR/Communications for The Club and work
closely with our American colleagues. If you could let me know where
you're based I'll be able to put you in contact with the relevant PR
Manager who should be able to help you out with your queries.

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon


All the best

Alistair

Alistair Hatch - European PR Executive
T: +44 (0) 20 8995 3399 F: +44 (0) 20 8996 4499
E: hatcha@soe.sega.co.uk W: www.sega-europe.com
A: SEGA Europe Ltd, 27 Great West Rd, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9BW

[Rebon]

Cool. I drove past the Sega Europe HQ a month or so ago - they have a huge "SEGA" sign at the top of their building.

Tell them you're from the US. That way we have both the UK & US contacts.

[luxurys]

Hi Justin, thanks for getting back to me.

The UK PR Manager is a chap called Stefan McGarry and his email address
is mcgarrys@soe.sega.co.uk. The US PR Manager dealing with The Club is
Jay Boor and his email address is jay.boor@segaamerica.com

They will be able to help you, but I should warn you in advance that we
won't be revealing any information to online press for a little while
yet.

All the best

Alistair

[luxurys]

Kieran, you get my other text? Anyways...I was wondering if you would be intrested in doing a face-2-face interview with the guy from the UK Sega HQ on The Club or any other of their games?

I guess to go with that, do you want to contact these PR's or should I continue on with getting interviews set up?