Micron Technology, today announced that its suite of DDR3 server memory modules are validated with Intel's next-generation Intel Xeon processor chips. Micron's validated 1, 2, 4 and 8-gigabyte (GB) DDR3 modules are performance-driven, delivering speeds of 1066 megabits per second (Mb/s) and 1333 Mb/s, greatly increasing server throughput. Additionally, Lexar Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Micron, has validated its corresponding Crucial-branded modules, leveraging Micron's award-winning DDR3 memory.

Major server OEMs are designing next-generation enterprise server systems that utilize the Intel Xeon processors, with some systems supporting up to a terabyte of main memory. This growth in server memory requirements is largely driven by the move to hardware virtualization, which creates "virtual machines" that operate multiple operating systems that share the same resources within one physical computer. By integrating the memory controller on-board, the Intel Xeon processors take advantage of the core performance benefits of DDR3, providing faster access to application-critical information. For example, at peak performance, the data transfer rate of DDR3 running at 1333 Mb/s enables the processor to access up to 1,250 Web pages per second from memory.

"The industry has already passed the tipping point of DDR3 adoption and we are on target for conversion to occur this year," said Michael Sporer, director of marketing for Micron's enterprise segment. "A key catalyst in this transition is the introduction of the Intel Xeon processor platform, providing our server OEM customers with the ability to design around an integrated, high-performance memory architecture."

"The Intel Xeon processor 5500 series is the most important architectural leap since Pentium Pro processor was introduced nearly 15 years ago," said Ali Sarabi, Director Industry Initiatives and Pathfinding, Intel Corporation. "Micron and Crucial are key suppliers in the memory ecosystem and having their products validated on Intel's Xeon processor 5500 series will greatly help the DDR3 ramp in the market."

Micron is able to satisfy the memory needs for a broad range of customers, from large-scale OEMs to value added resellers (VARs) to retail customers. For OEM customers, information on Micron's broad portfolio of DDR3 memory is available on its website at www.micron.com/nehalem. VARs and retail customers can find information about Crucial-branded DDR3 memory modules at www.crucial.com/ddr3.