Storage and interface IP supplier Rambus announced the launch of a new DDR5 9600 client memory module chipset solution, which increases the native rate of DDR5 memory to up to 9600 MT/s through the second-generation client clock driver chip (Gen2 CKD02), providing higher bandwidth support for the upcoming Intel Nova Lake and AMD's next-generation Ryzen platform based on Zen 6 architecture, targeting the rising demand for memory performance of the new generation of AI PCs.
The article pointed out that as desktop and mobile terminals will usher in new generation CPU platforms such as Intel Nova Lake and AMD Zen 6 later this year, the industry is actively preparing for the next round of AI PC upgrades, and memory manufacturers are also accelerating the promotion of high-bandwidth and high-capacity solutions to meet the growing bandwidth and capacity needs. The DDR5 9600 chipset launched by Rambus for client platforms is oriented towards future high-performance CUDIMM, CQDIMM and CSODIMM modules and supports clocked DDR5 memory in the 8000 to 9600 MT/s range.
The latest Rambus DDR5 9600 client chipset mainly consists of three parts: the first is the Gen2 Client Clock Driver (CKD02), which is responsible for retiming, conditioning and distributing the clock signal from the processor and passing it to each DRAM on the DIMM; the second is the PMIC5120 power supply management chip, which is used to efficiently convert the system voltage into the operating voltage required by the DRAM and other active devices on the module; the third is the SPD Hub is used to provide communication capabilities for module identification, configuration information, and telemetry data.
Rambus said in a press release that with the rise of "agent AI", PCs are taking on the role of planning, executing and real-time adjustment of workflows. Related workloads require long-term context retention, multi-task parallel processing and continuous data transfer between the processor and system memory, which places significantly higher requirements on memory bandwidth and capacity. However, expanding the DDR5 rate upward from 6400 MT/s will bring a series of technical challenges such as signal attenuation, clock jitter, and timing instability. Therefore, the industry is accelerating the transition to "clocked memory modules" with on-chip clock drivers, including CUDIMMs for desktops, CQDIMMs, and CSODIMMs for notebooks. Client clock drivers are integrated on the modules to improve signal quality and ensure high-frequency operation.
According to Rambus, the new DDR5 9600 client chipset provides a complete solution for these clocked DDR5 modules, targeting future generation of high-performance system designs such as AI PCs, notebooks, and workstations. By solving issues such as signal integrity, power transmission, and system coordination at the module level, this solution helps simplify the complexity of machine manufacturers in the design and deployment of high-performance memory modules and accelerates the implementation of new platforms in the high-frequency DDR5 field.