Microsoft Taps NEC For Xbox 360 DRAM

Officials from electronics manufacturer NEC Electronics have announced that Microsoft intends to use the company’s embedded DRAM (eDRAM) technology in the next generation Xbox. The use of this specific type of memory will help Microsoft to lessen the effects of memory bandwidth bottlenecks, particularly when performing anti-aliasing operations. By working in a similar manner to a processor’s cache memory, the eDRAM will help to run games at a higher resolution with full screen anti-aliasing, according to online reports. The eDRAM macros designed by NEC Electronics will form a key piece of the graphics subsystem, helping to enable the high definition graphics which Microsoft has already been keen to tout for the console. The eDRAM graphics chip is manufactured in NEC Electronics’ 300 millimeter wafer fabrication facility, with a similar production technique as that used to produce the PlayStation 3 'Cell' technology. "NEC Electronics' cutting-edge embedded DRAM technology plays a vital role in enabling our graphics engine's performance, while its manufacturing process provides a reliable resource that can deliver the volumes required to support what will be an extremely popular gaming platform, said Todd Holmdahl, corporate vice president, Xbox Product Group "Microsoft's next generation Xbox platform promises to be a revolutionary gaming platform and must-have consumer device," said Hirokazu Hashimoto, executive vice president, NEC Electronics. "NEC Electronics is pleased to be an integral part of this device and looks forward to working with Microsoft to make the next generation Xbox platform a top seller."