The Intel-Micron joint collaboration in the development of what is promised to be the next step in storage technology is inching ever closer to reality. According to Bench Life, which published a leaked specifications list for the upcoming Intel Optane Memory products, the first application for consumer-grade 3D XPoint technology straddles the line between an SSD and system RAM. Intel calls it a "System Accelerator" solution, and it's meant to operate as an intermediate caching solution between a system's RAM and storage. Codenamed "Stony Beach", Intel's 8000p (and entire 3D XPoint-based products) support is still up in the air, but it's expected that only Kaby Lake and subsequent platforms will be compatible with the technology - which, if true, is sure to limit the product's market penetration.

The consumer products will initially sport capacities of either 16GB or 32GB, leveraging the NVMe protocol at PCIe Gen 3.0 x2 bandwidth in the M.2 form-factor. Mirroring NAND technology, the greater capacity solution will sport the highest performance: with the 16GB part coming in at 1400 MB/s read and 300 MB/s write speeds, against the 32 GB's 1600 MB/s and 400 MB/s, respectively. We see similar results in regards to IOPS, with the 16GB solution offering up to 285,000 read and 70,000 write operations per second, against the 32 GB's solution respective 300,000 read and 120,000 write. As usual with new technologies, expect all these metrics to only go up in time.

EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium computer liquid cooling gear manufacturer, is expanding its EK-RAM Monarch Module family. Existing black variant is now also available as a Nickel plated version. The EK-RAM Monarch Module is a heatsink adapter which allows virtually any (DDR-)SDRAM memory module (of any generation) to be liquid cooled in conjunction with EK-RAM Monarch series water blocks.

Each heatsink consists of two separate plates while the DIMM memory module is sandwiched in between. Heat transfer between the memory module and aluminium heatsink adapter is ensured by the use of an enclosed thermal pad. EK-RAM Monarch Modules set contains two (2) EK-RAM Monarch Module Adapter heatsinks. Each of these items are made of CNC machined high quality aluminium and feature nickel finish (Nickel) or black anodized finish (Black).

To welcome the spring flower season, KINGMAX has launched a line of stylish gaming RAM with a metallic look. Colors such as jewel red, star blue and cool silver are sure to catch your eye. The gaming community has rushed to test and evaluate the ZEUS DDR4 instant-cooling heatsink since its release. It provides a number of high-performance gaming RAM combinations with speeds of 2800 MHz, 3000 MHz and up to 3200 MHz and single module memory of 4 GB, 8 GB and up to 16 GB.

That amount may even go up to a maximum of 32 GB as it also supports dual-channel memory with a heatsink. At the same time, the ZEUS DDR3 line has also been released with speeds of 1600 MHz, 1866 MHz and up to 2133 MHz, all possessing overclocking, low CAS latency and low voltage capabilities. This allows gamers to survive system upgrading waves brought about by Intel's new generation Skylake platform processors by comprehensively satisfying all system upgrade needs.

With the successful debut of the GTX 950 XTREME GAMING graphics card, GIGABYTE, the world's leading premium gaming hardware manufacturer, is ready to roll out five more high-end cards in its premium XTREME GAMING lineup, each crafted with overpowering performance, astonishing design, and added gamer-centric features to take gaming experience to a whole new level.

The latest XTREME GAMING series offerings include TITAN X (GV-NTITANXXTREME-12GD-B), GTX 980 Ti WINDFORCE Edition (GV-N98TXTREME-6GD) and WATERFORCE Edition (GV-N98TXTREME W-6GD), GTX 980 (GV-N980XTREME-4GD), and GTX 970 (GV-N970XTREME-4GD). From unmatched gaming prowess to rock-solid durability, these new XTREME GAMING graphics cards are redesigned inside and out to meet the needs of enthusiastic gamers who relentlessly challenge themselves for reaching their ultimate performance.

Innodisk, the service-driven flash and DRAM provider, announces higher capacity 16GB versions of its DDR4 embedded and server unbuffered DRAM series. These 2133MHz UDIMMs and SODIMMS now come in industry-leading 16GB capacities, allowing more memory to be installed within space constrained embedded systems, industrial PCs and servers. Offering higher performance with lower power consumption compared to DDR3, the new DRAM modules have ECC available for reliability, as well as industrial strength features from Innodisk such as 30µ" Gold Finger connectors, thermal sensors, and protective conformal coatings. The new 16GB modules make Innodisk's range of DDR4 products the most complete line of embedded and server DDR4 memory on the market.

"16GB is the highest capacity unbuffered DDR4 module available on the market," said Samson Chang, Vice President of Embedded DRAM Business Unit of Innodisk. "We're proud that Innodisk is able to provide this memory capacity while bringing the performance and low power benefits of DDR4 to the embedded and server markets. In addition, we're bringing extra value to our industrial customers with Innodisk features like onboard thermal sensors and protective coatings.

QNAP Inc. knows small and medium business IT storage needs well; and starting today has a new Turbo NAS offering that perfectly blends storage capacity, performance, and business productivity - the TS-563. This new 5-drive desktop NAS features up to 30 TB (with five 6 TB drives) of storage and is 10 GbE network ready. This new model also features 2 GB of DDR3L RAM (an 8 GB model was launched in May). The TS-563-2G is the second QNAP product line to be introduced; which features the AMD G-series quad-core 2.00 GHz embedded processor with its impressive, virtualization and hardware accelerated encryption capabilities.

Today's small and medium businesses need to wring every dollar of productivity out of their IT spends and that extends to storage. QNAP's Turbo NAS' have evolved into being far more than just networked storage, file/printer sharing, and backup solutions. Today they can host virtual machines without the expense of VMware, host websites, and a bevy of other business critical applications. Extend the capabilities of a QNAP NAS further with a wide range of free Apps available from 3rd party developers, right from the dashboard of the embedded QTS management interface. QNAP's brand new Qsirch search feature makes it fast and easy to find documents, videos, photos, music, and more on the NAS through natural-search terms similar to how one would use a search engine.

Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today announced Crucial Ballistix DDR4 16GB performance memory. Ideal for gamers and enthusiasts who deal with content creation, virtual machines, RAM drives, and memory-intensive applications, the new Ballistix modules leverage Micron's new 8Gb DDR4 component technology to offer up the highest density DDR4 memory to date.

Until now, only expensive server systems have been able to reach these memory densities, but with Ballistix DDR4 16GB modules, users can achieve greater densities on high-end desktop systems like the latest Intel X99 platforms. Available across Sport LT, Tactical, and Elite product lines, each module includes Intel XMP 2.0 profiles for easy setup and support.

Patriot, a leading manufacturer of computer memory, USB/flash memory, SSDs, and mobile accessories, today extended their Viper 4 series of DDR4 memory to include new 64GB and 128GB quad kits designed for the latest Intel X99 DDR4 platform and Haswell-E processor.

Patriot's latest addition to their Viper 4 DDR4 line of extreme performance memory built for the most demanding environments will include a 64GB (4 x 16GB) and a 128GB (8 X 16GB) kits for the ultimate PC build. Testing in at 14-16-16-31 the Viper 4 64GB and 128GB will start at 2400MHz 1.2V with higher speeds to be announced at a later date. Designed for the PC enthusiast builder or content creator the latest capacity of Viper 4 DDR4 will take any build to the ultimate level of speed.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, is honored to announce that its XPG Z2 DDR4 3400 computer memory is able to clock up to 4034MHz when used with an air-cooled msi X99A XPOWER AC motherboard. This creates a new overclocking world record for production line DDR4 computer memory.

In cooperation with motherboard manufacturers, ADATA strives to achieve the best performance in DDR4 memory compliant with the Intel X99 architecture. The XPG Z2 DDR4 3400 breaks the record with extremely high clock frequency of 4034MHz, impressing both gamers and standard CPU clock users alike with outstanding sustained performance, cooling and stability.

AMD's upcoming Radeon R9 390X graphics cards will ship in two SKUs - an air-cooled one, with a moderately long reference design board (though not as long as the R9 290X), and a new Water-Cooled Edition (WCE) SKU, which will feature a very compact PCB - one that could be no bigger than that of the GeForce GTX 970 reference. This is possible because of AMD's HBM implementation. The 8 GB of memory on this card is present on the GPU package, as bare 3D-stacked DRAM dies, surrounding the GPU die, with an IHS covering everything; rather than the GPU package being surrounded by memory chips. Below is a mock-up of the card by ChipHell. It's not a picture. The radiator is off-proportions, the Radeon logo is misaligned, and the PCIe I/O is misaligned, etc. It should still give you a good idea of what the card looks like, particularly its length. Other specs on hand so far, include 4,096 GCN 1.2 stream processors, 256 TMUs, 128 ROPs, and a 4096-bit wide HBM interface, which at 1.25 GHz memory clock, will offer memory bandwidth of 640 GB/s.

While Fiji package will be bigger than that of, say, "Hawaii," overall the setup is more space-efficient, and conserves PCB real-estate. The PCB hence only has the GPU package and the VRM. AMD is doing away with the DVI connector on its reference PCB. It will only feature three DisplayPort 1.2a and one HDMI 2.0a. The WCE variant will feature a pump+block covering the GPU package, which will come factory-fitted to a 120 x 120 mm radiator. The air-cooled R9 390X will be longer, but only to house a heatsink and lateral blower. The single-GPU card could offer performance comparable to the dual-GPU R9 295X2, which is faster than the GeForce GTX TITAN-X. AMD CEO Lisa Su, speaking at the Investor Day event, in New York, on 6th May, hinted that the product could launch on the sidelines of either Computex 2015 (early-June) or E3 (mid-June).Image Courtesy: ChipHell. Many Thanks to GhostRyder for the tip.

Boutique memory modules designer Avexir unveiled its flagship DDR3 memory module, the RAIDEN. This double-height module features a plasma tube on its top, which lights up with a blue lightning-effect, which could look awesome in cyberpunk case-mods. The module could pair particularly well with ASUS Z97 Sabertooth Mark S, ASUS X99 series, and MSI Krait series motherboards.

Form aside, the module has some pretty formidable specs - an 8-layer main PCB, XMP profiles of up to DDR3-2400 MHz, a machined aluminium heatsink drawing heat away from the DRAM chips, and hand-binned DRAM chips for the best overclocked performance. The RAIDEN comes in speeds of DDR3-1866 and DDR3-2400, densities of 4 GB and 8 GB, and in dual- and quad-channel kits that are combinations of the two top-level specs. Avexir didn't reveal pricing or availability.

ADATA Technology, a leading manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and NAND Flash application products, today launches the Gold Edition of its XPG Z1 DDR4 overclocking memory, clocking in at the outrageously high speeds of 3000/3200/3300/3333MHz. Besides supporting the latest Intel Haswell-E platform, ADATA's XPG Z1 Gold Edition DDR4 also provides ultimate performance for gamers, overclockers and PC enthusiasts, and also features higher power efficiency.

DDR4 memory surpasses legacy DDR3 with improved performance and lower power consumption. The operating voltage of XPG Z1 has decreased from 1.5V to 1.35V, a 10% reduction of power that helps your system operate at a lower temperature for more stable operation. With speeds of up to 3333MHz, CL16-16-16 timings and a transfer bandwidth reaching 26.6GB/s, the XPG Z1 Gold Edition provides unparalleled data transfer efficiency. In addition, the built-in Intel XMP 2.0 Serial Presence Detect (SPD) allows quick and easy installation without changing BIOS settings, all while facilitating full system usage and enhanced stability. This adds up to a true game-winner for overclockers seeking an extra edge.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced today that it has started mass producing the industry's first 8 gigabit (Gb), low power double data rate 4 (LPDDR4) mobile DRAM based on the company's leading-edge 20-nanometer (nm) process technology. LPDDR memories are the most widely used "working memory" for mobile devices worldwide.

"By initiating production of 20nm 8Gb LPDDR4, which is even faster than the DRAM for PCs and servers and consumes much less energy, we are contributing to the timely launch of UHD, large-screen flagship mobile devices," said Joo Sun Choi, Executive Vice President of Memory Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "As this major advancement in mobile memory demonstrates, we will continue to closely collaborate with global mobile device manufacturers to optimize DRAM solutions, making them suitable for next-generation mobile OS environments."

Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd, today announces the brushed aluminum PC-T80 DIY Test bench. An update of the PC-T60, the PC-T80 features the same high quality, simple design that has made its predecessor a favorite across the DIY community, while adding native radiator support and a more modular design. The PC-T80, with the dimensions of 440mm x 435mm x 335mm (17.3"x 17.1" x 13.1") WxHxD, is separated into three zones, allowing for easy configuration and updates of hardware.

A dual functioning bracket allows for the installation of radiators up to 360mm or three 3.5'/2.5" HDDs. The HDD cage and power supply location in the lower zone can be easily exchanged, and if desired an additional HDD cage can be installed in the lower zone. The bottom zone also allows for the hard drive cage and power supply to be mounted in several different positions according to the builder's preference. An additional HDD cage can be mounted in the middle position.

Corsair, a leader in high-performance PC hardware, today announced the availability of Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum lines of high-speed DDR4 computer memory. This new generation of memory ushers in a new age of ultrafast computing with optimizations such as increased DRAM bandwidth, higher bus frequencies, lower power usage, and higher reliability.

Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum DDR4 memory kits are validated with motherboard partners (ASUS, ASRock, EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI) and use the new XMP 2.0 profile to deliver easy, reliable overclocking performance with the upcoming next-generation Intel X99 platforms and Intel Core i7 processors (codenamed Haswell-E). The Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum memory kits are supplied with a limited lifetime warranty.

PANRAM co. was founded in 1994, a brand which until today has been unknown to most of us. Even though PANRAM as a brand are fairly unknown by their own name, they are the OEM for other brands producing up to 3 million units per month. Today, the manufacturer decided to use own experience, patents, quality control and combine it along with market knowledge of Caseking distributor to gain it's own recognition in the market. Together, Caseking and PANRAM are presenting today a new series of PANRAM, Light Sword. Light Sword has a red LED backlight, which resembles the shape of the legendary lightsaber.

"We wanted to release together unique high-end memory that differentiate from anything we have ever seen." says head of memory division at Caseking - Jens Becker. Each piece of Light Sword has specially selected integrated circuits for easier overclocking capabilities. PANRAM says that for example 2400 MHz model can be turned up to a speed of 2666 MHz without bigger problems and with using the same latency.

Since the leading memory manufacturer KINGMAX released the Nano Gaming RAM in 2012, it has always received excellent positive reviews. Currently there are four memory clocks available for gamers to choose from: 1333 MHz, 1600 MHz, 2000 MHz, and 2200 MHz. Now, KINGMAX is disclosing its new Nano Gaming Ram to over-clocking enthusiasts before COMPUTEX 2014.

The newly released Nano Gaming RAM strives for better performance in terms of frequency and voltage, and KINGMAX is dedicated to finding the optimal balance between the two to bring an all new usage experience for over-clocking enthusiasts. KINGMAX also used its exclusive Nano cooling technology to make cooling more efficient and to bring better stability for Nano Gaming Ram, allowing gamers to become more excited and hot-blooded because of its the smooth and immersive game play.

Silicon Power, the world's leading provider of memory storage solutions, today unveils the latest memory module solution, DDR3L-1333 and DDR3L-1600 Low-Voltage Series. Running at 1.35 volts at 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz, the Low-Voltage series is able to decrease hardware power consumption effectively without compromising the benefit of the performance. Apart from saving power from long-term operations, it also reduces the unnecessary heat waste, allowing advanced gamers, video and photo professionals and DIY enthusiasts to create an eco-friendly working stations.

Silicon Power Low-Voltage DDR3L series comes in selections from UDIMM to SO-DIMM at 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz, providing desktop and notebook users to save energy up to 20% from the benefits of low energy consumption. Moreover, this series is compatible with the latest Intel Haswell platform, ideal for those who are looking for a greener and power-saving alternative while enjoying the ultimate system performance.

KINGMAX, a vertically integrated RAM/memory card module manufacturer, is happy to announce that it has developed a complete range of storage products catering specifically to the industrial PC sector. While the IPC and industrial control market is poised to grow further on the back of ever-expanding applications, KINGMAX will keep up its innovative R&D to meet the rapidly growing demand.

Leveraging more than 20 years of R&D and manufacturing expertise, KINGMAX now stands out as a premium one-stop supplier of industrial-grade FLASH storage products: SSDs, eMMC/eMCP/eSSDs, SD/CF cards and DRAMs. They not only come with state-of-the-art specifications but also have undergone the most stringent performance tests and safety verification.

Other World Computing, the world's leading destination for cutting-edge and easy-to-install Mac and PC upgrades and accessories, announced the immediate availability of the OWC Memory Upgrade Kits from 8GB to 32GB for 2013 iMac 27" models that became available today. OWC's kits offer memory configurations not offered by the factory as well as savings of more than $240 compared to same-size factory options. Like all OWC Memory Upgrade Kits, a 'how-to' install video and OWC Lifetime warranty are included.

What it does: upgrading the memory of this iMac gives you more options and better performance. It's a low-cost improvement that gives Apple's latest OSX-including the upcoming Mavericks release-the space it needs for maximum performance. For hundreds less than what Apple charges, users can select an OWC upgrade to unlock the machine's true potential. Installation takes just a few minutes, and OWCs iMac Memory Upgrade Guide makes it easy to select the right memory for any Apple iMac model.

A massive fire broke out this afternoon (local time), at a SK Hynix production facility in Wuxi, China. At this moment, pictures and videos of the fire are swarming through local social networks, and there are no official announcements by either the local authorities, or the company itself. Incidentally, this isn't the first fire accident at an SK Hynix manufacturing facility, a Korea-based fab suffered one in February 2008. The facility hit by fire is rumored to be one that handles packaging (placing bumped dies inside ceramic or plastic shells, and labeling them). If the extant of damage to the facility is high, it might affect NAND flash prices more than DRAM, since the company recently prioritized NAND flash over DRAM for the facility.

ASUS today announced Maximus VI Impact, a mini-ITX gaming motherboard based on Intel Z87 chipset for the latest 4th generation Intel Core processors. Maximus VI Impact is the first ROG mini-ITX motherboard to be fully loaded with exclusive gamer-pleasing innovations and proves size is no longer an indicator of performance. It features the SupremeFX Impact discrete sound card for best-in-class 115 dB SNR audio and Impact Power digital power-management technology for the same renowned overclocking control as ROG full-size ATX motherboards. Maximus VI Impact also takes connectivity to the next level with onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Maximus VI Impact has undergone hundreds of rigorous tests to ensure compatibility with popular mini-ITX cases and processor coolers. So if something's made for mini-ITX, it's made for Maximus VI Impact.

Gaming PC specialist CyberPowerPC launched its first entry-level notebook that leverages Intel's Iris Pro 5200 integrated graphics, the Zeus Hercules. Tucking in an Intel Core i7-4750HQ processor, which is a variant of the Intel Core "Haswell" processor with a larger integrated GPU featuring 40 execution units, and L4 eDRAM cache, the notebook features a 14-inch full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) screen. The notebook is also one of the first to integrate Intel's Hyperbaric cooling technology, which works to minimize hot-spots.

In addition to the Core i7-4750HQ processor, it features 8 GB of RAM (expandable to 16 GB), SSD and HDD-based storage options, and connectivity that includes Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, gigabit Ethernet, three USB 3.0 "SuperSpeed" ports, and a multi-format card reader. Windows 8 Pro comes pre-installed. Backed by a 1-year warranty, Zeus Hercules notebooks from CyberPowerPC start at US $1,039.

In every Avexir office, there is hanging motto - "What we believe is how we behave". That is the mission and a way Avexir always wanted to act, so we could see that the manufacturer policy is in some points totally different from other memory brands. For example in Avexir factory after producing, each piece is tested on several computers and it goes to packaging and sales only if it fully pass the JEDEC tests. With this brand you know what you are buying.

Thanks to its quality policy Avexir is known as producer of high quality RAM, especially for those who like to overclock their systems. Today European market gets new model named Avexir Core GOLD with yellow LEDs. Memory serie supports Intel XMP 1.3 technology, which allows to overclock computer to the maximum and squeeze as much performance from PC as possible and not be satisfied only with factory defaults.

Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:MU) ("Micron") and Elpida Memory, Inc. ("Elpida") trustees announced today the closing of Micron's acquisition of 100 percent of Elpida's equity, pursuant to a Sponsor Agreement entered into on July 2, 2012 in connection with Elpida's corporate reorganization proceedings conducted under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court. In a related transaction, Micron also announced today the completion of its acquisition of a 24 percent share of Rexchip Electronics Corporation from Powerchip Technology Corporation and certain of its affiliates. The transactions will be recorded for accounting purposes as being effective at 11:59 p.m., Tokyo time, on July 31, 2013.

Elpida's assets include a 300 millimeter (mm) DRAM fabrication facility located in Hiroshima, Japan; an approximate 65 percent ownership interest in Rexchip, whose assets include a 300mm DRAM fabrication facility located in Taiwan; and a 100 percent ownership interest in Akita Elpida Memory, Inc., whose assets include an assembly and test facility located in Akita, Japan. Together with the Rexchip shares acquired from Powerchip, Micron will control approximately 89 percent of Rexchip's outstanding shares and 100 percent of Rexchip product supply. The manufacturing assets of Elpida and Rexchip together can produce more than 185,000 300mm wafers per month, which represents an approximate 45 percent increase in Micron's current manufacturing capacity.