Micron, Nanya Unveil 42-Nanometer DRAM Process Technology -- Reduces Memory Power Consumption, Increases Performance

Companies Continue DRAM Advancement With 3X-nanometer Process Technology Working in the Lab


 Announcement Highlights

  • Micron and Nanya today unveiled a new 42-nanometer DRAM process technology, with a 3X-nanometer process working in the lab
  • Staying on the leading-edge of scaling, the new 42-nanometer process uses the more efficient and reliable copper metallization technology
  • The 42-nanometer process produces a 2Gb memory device, providing lower power, higher-performance, greater density and smaller die sizes

BOISE, Idaho and TAOYUAN, Taiwan, Feb. 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:MU) and Nanya Technology Corporation today announced that they have jointly developed a 2-gigabit (Gb) DDR3 memory device using their new copper-based 42-nanometer (nm) DRAM process technology. DDR3 is the predominant memory technology used in high-performance computing applications including servers, notebooks and desktop computers.

The move to smaller process geometries is fundamentally important for maintaining manufacturing cost efficiencies while also providing benefits for customers including lower power, higher performance, greater density, and smaller die sizes. The new 42nm process now makes 1.35-volts the standard, mainstream voltage requirement, compared to 1.5-volt with previous generations. Reducing memory power consumption is critical to today's server environments, where power and cooling infrastructure costs can be comparable to the costs for the server equipment. With increasing memory requirements in servers, it has been estimated that memory power consumption can be up to 21-watts per module.* The 1.35 voltage can provide a savings of up to 30-percent in these applications, reducing both power and cooling requirements.

Faster memory speed grades are important for achieving maximum system performance. By shrinking process technology, the new 2Gb 42nm DDR3 device delivers improved memory performance capable of reaching up to 1866 megabits per second. In addition, the small die size coupled with the 2Gb density of the 42nm DDR3 device enables modules up to 16GBs.

"With the move to 42nm – and with a 3Xnm process working in our R&D fab in Boise – Micron's expertise in copper metallization and proprietary cell capacitor technology has enabled us to stay on the cutting-edge of DRAM process design and innovation," said Robert Feurle, vice president of DRAM marketing. "The addition of this new 2Gb 42nm device to our DRAM product line strengthens our already rich portfolio of memory solutions for customers' end applications."

"We are very pleased to offer this 2Gb DDR3, the most competitive DRAM device in production, to our customers," said Dr. Pei Lin Pai, vice president of global sales and marketing and spokesman for Nanya. "Nanya plans to serve the server and PC market, as well as the consumer market, with this latest technology device."

Copper: The Path to Higher Quality and Reliability

The new 42nm DRAM process technology uses the more efficient and reliable copper metallization technology, allowing Micron and Nanya to stay on the leading-edge of process scaling. Micron has long recognized the benefits of copper in aiding DRAM scale, and has continued to leverage and refine the technology for nearly a decade. When compared to other metallization techniques, such as aluminum, copper is recognized as the more extendible, reliable and cost-effective approach for advancing process geometries and enhancing product performance. As Micron and Nanya continue to scale, moving to their next-generation 3Xnm process technology, the companies are building on their strong copper foundation to deliver high-quality and highly reliable products.

Availability

Sampling is scheduled to start in the second calendar quarter of 2010, with production ramp planned for the second half of the year. 

*Dr. Dobb's, March 5, 2009, The Problem of Power Consumption in Servers - http://www.drdobbs.com/215800830?pgno=1

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About Micron

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com.

The Micron Technology, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6950

About Nanya

Nanya Technology Corporation, a member of the Formosa Plastics Group, is a global leader in advanced memory semiconductors, focusing on research and development, design, manufacturing, and sales of DRAM products. NTC's common stock is traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TSEC) under the 2408 symbol. The company currently owns both 200mm fabrication facilities and 300mm fabrication facility in Taiwan. The company currently owns one 200mm fabrication facilities and one 300mm fabrication facility in Taiwan. The company also has a 300mm joint venture, Inotera Memories, Inc., which operates two 300mm fabrication facilities in Taiwan. Further information is available at http://www.nanya.com

The Nanya Technology Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7064

Micron and the Micron orbit logo are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the production of Micron's new 2Gb 42nm DDR3 device and development of a 3Xnm DRAM process. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents Micron files on a consolidated basis from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically Micron's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Micron on a consolidated basis to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements (see Certain Factors). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7064

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. 



            
42nm 2Gb DDR3 Device

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