Samsung Electronics said it is providing the majority of graphics memory for the launch phase of Microsoft Xbox 360 multimedia console. Running at 700MHz, the Samsung 512Mb (16Mb x 32) GDDR3 will transmit data at 5.6Gbps per chip, that is, around 3.5 times faster than the memory used in the first Xbox, enabling real-time generation of near-cinematic animation in games.
At a system level, the 512Mb density will allow the Xbox 360 to provide eight times the capacity of the first Xbox to store highly detailed textures that depict more life-like images. The higher transmission speed and additional capacity also will accommodate expanded image processing needs anticipated for storing electronically-formatted photographs, movies, music videos and other compressed video files.
The Samsung graphics memory is built on 90nm process technology using 300mm wafers. It will interface with a graphics processor co-developed by Microsoft and ATI Technologies.