Xbox 360 Employs New 90nm Embedded DRAM from TSMC

Razor05

As per TeamXbox:

Xbox 360 Employs New 90nm Embedded DRAM from TSMC
By: César A. Berardini - "Cesar"
Aug. 16th, 2007 1:55 pm

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced that Microsoft has begun production of the Xbox 360 graphics-memory subsystem using the TSMC 90nm embedded DRAM process. Previously, Microsoft used an eDRAM die manufactured by NEC.

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Microsoft Embraces TSMC 90nm Embedded DRAM Process for Xbox 360
Production of 90nm Microsoft Graphics-Memory Subsystem Underway

Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. – August 15, 2007 - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM) today announced that Microsoft has started production of the Microsoft Xbox 360 graphics-memory subsystem using the TSMC 90nm embedded DRAM process. Designed to meet the needs of volume consumer electronics devices, the TSMC 90nm eDRAM process features a high-density macro design (80Mb) and fast performance to 500MHz.

“Microsoft's selection of the TSMC 90nm eDRAM process for the graphics-rich Xbox 360 is an important validation of the capability and maturity of the technology,” said John Wei, senior director of platform marketing, advanced technology division of TSMC. “Furthermore, the production marks the successful continuation to an ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and TSMC.”

“TSMC provides the proven manufacturing and chip implementation services required to build a competitive silicon component in volume,” said Bill Adamec, senior director of semiconductor technology of microsoft. “The TSMC 90nm eDRAM process is exactly what we need to further strengthen our position in console gaming and entertainment.”

TSMC has been in 90nm embedded DRAM production since the first quarter of 2006, and the design team has developed versatile sets of memory macros that are being used in more than a dozen 90nm customer products.


About TSMC 90nm eDRAM

The TSMC 90nm embedded DRAM process is a CMOS logic process with an add-on memory module. The embedded process eliminates I/O power consumed in external DRAM interfaces, while providing a wider bus and BOM cost savings compared to external DRAM. This makes TSMC 90nm eDRAM ideal for system-on-chip (SoC) platforms used in high-bandwidth applications such as digital TV or game consoles, as well as low-power applications such as handheld and miniature consumer electronics. Less than half the size of an embedded SRAM macro, TSMC 90nm eDRAM consumes less power in both active and standby modes. Embedded memory also saves board space, enhances system reliability and reduces the soft error rate. Memory options are flexible to 1Mb of granularity.


About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalog of more than 160 high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.


About TSMC TSMC is the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, providing the industry's leading process technology and the foundry industry's largest portfolio of process-proven libraries, IP, design tools and reference flows. The Company's total installed capacity in 2006 exceeded seven million (8-inch equivalent) wafers, including capacity from two advanced 12-inch GigaFabs, four eight-inch fabs, and one six-inch fab. TSMC also has substantial capacity commitments at its wholly owned subsidiaries, WaferTech and TSMC (Shanghai), and its joint venture fab, SSMC. TSMC is the first foundry to provide 65nm production capabilities. Its corporate headquarters are in Hsinchu, Taiwan. For more information about TSMC please visit http://www.tsmc.com.

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Ntruder

I am waiting for news on the 65nm processor before I upgrade to HDMI. (even though HDMI is total hype and a waste of money IMO)

macmarkus

So why refer to hdmi as an upgrade ?

They have just begun the 90nm correct ? Is the 65 nm the next evolutionary step in the 360 ?

just askin', if you happen to know...by your posts in the past, I think you know about gaming tech ?

Will this have any effect on performance ? i.e. cooler running ? 3LofD issue ?

Peace

..and thanks in advance.

oleviarules

my understanding is that this will decrease power consumption and overall system heat of the 360, but i don't know how much of a problem the ram has been. most cooling mods (water cooling, replacing thermal paste, etc.) that i have seen done on other forums focus on the gpu and cpu. most claim success, so this would lead me to believe ram isn't really in need of extra cooling, but every little bit does help i guess. if someone knows more/better than me, please elaborate more.

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Ntruder

haha you got me on that one. I just switched to HDMI from component on my DishNetwork 622 receiver and on most HD channels can't tell the slightest difference, and its a huge TV. I mainly want HDMI for longevity; when they start using that ICT, all component video HD-DVD add on users will be SOL.

I am guessing that on a better quality source (like a video game signal or HD-DVD, as opposed to crappy compressed satellite feed) the picture quality difference will be more noticeable.

they have been using 90nm since launch. It has been known that they will switch to 65nm for a while, this was estimated to have happened this year, but so far, it hasn't. The main advantage is they will run cooler... a lot cooler. (BTW, I am talking about the processors, the thread is talking about DRAM I guess)

Needless to say, (since I bought my console at launch) I might be having to replace my system sometime down the road anyway...

macmarkus

Thanks Ntruder.

I just bought mine in may, so I wasn't sure if the "elite" was much of an upgrade (aside from the hdmi & larger hd) than the one my son got at launch. (which has performed flawless, his & mine...touch wood !)Now watch those bastards will come out with a HD DVD built in sku now if it's running cooler ! Oh well, I like my stand alone better !

I'm under the assumption that these dreaded issues with the 360 have been related to the processor, (too small a heat sink) correct or no ? I usually don't run mine for more than 2 or 3hrs. at a time, so I'm thinkin'(praying) it won't be a problem.

...anyway, thanks for the feedback, any more is welcome as well.

Peace

Ntruder

I think they were heatsink/processor issues, but I'm really not sure. I haven't had any problems, so naturally I didn't follow the buzz that well.

I accidentally left mine on for a week while I was in Mexico, and my game was still paused when I got home. But I had a decent amount of ventilation around it, so who knows.

For me, the HDMI thing will mostly be piece of mind. But like I said, when you are dealing with a high quality source, like a video game system or HD-DVD player, there's probably a much bigger difference than when you are using a crappy compressed satellite signal that comes into your building via coax.