AMD today announced that they will be releasing a line of AMD-branded memory. From partners Patriot Memory and VisionTek will come AMD memory ranging from DDR3-1333 to (eventually) DDR3-2133. They will have three lines of memory available, Entertainment, Performance and Radeon. It is also equal opportunity memory, with planned support for Intel XMP profiles and compatibility with Intel platforms.
 Memory Lines |
 Memory Lines |
The Performance and Radeon kits will actually be pretty strong in their specifications. The DDR3-1600 kit should have relatively tight latencies of 8-8-8-24. It’s also nice that they’re not hiding the fact that they are using partners to produce it; it will say “Built Buy: [Company]” right on the sticks.
AMD DDR3-1600 Kit
They’re not bad looking either. There’s something to be said for simple labeling that isn’t pushing too much bling. One reason they are doing this is to help out with their APUs, which require strong memory since the system memory also serves as the graphics memory. Faster speeds and tight timings help out a lot for their graphics performance.
Faster Memory Scaling
In theory, branding their own memory will help allow them to set the price point, and if they can keep the cost lower than competitors, it will make getting stronger memory for better APU performance more feasible on a budget platform. So, when will this happen? The Entertainment and Performance lines should be available soon, but the Radeon line isn’t expected until late January / early February of 2012.
AMD Memory Roadmap
We’re scheduled to have a conference call with AMD later today. If they divulge any new information, this article as well as the accompanying thread will be updated. If you want to see the full press release, it is below in its entirety.
- Jeremy Vaughan (hokiealumnus)
AMD Memory Brand Introduced for Entertainment, Performance andEnthusiast Desktop ComputersPatriot Memory and VisionTek are the first partners to bring AMD Memory to market,introducing DDR3 RAM with major retailers throughout North America.SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Nov. 28, 2011 — AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced North American retail availability of the first AMD Memory branded desktop system memory modules, debuting with partners Patriot Memory LLC and VisionTek Products, LLC. AMD Memory branded products will help take the guesswork out of DRAM selection, providing an easy and straightforward experience when looking for the ideal match for gaming or multimedia PC needs.
As part of AMD’s development of personal computer platforms, the company has used the AMD OverDrive™ performance optimization tool to test and optimize DRAM in conjunction with the company’s APUs, CPUs, GPUs and chipset platforms. This unique insight is now helping AMD tune and optimize memory modules for other manufacturers.
“Patriot Memory will bring over two decades of experience and expertise into this ecosystem,” said Paul Jones, CEO of Patriot Memory. “Our proven ability to deliver the best technology at the most competitive prices will help pave the way to success for this memory line.”
In addition to leveraging AMD’s experience in creating graphics, CPUs, APUs and motherboard chipsets, this new product line also enables retailers to round out AMD bundles with memory, helping to ensure an easy, confident upgrade experience that places a heavy emphasis on compatibility and stability. Customers can purchase a complete package designed to deliver top performance and maximum value.
“AMD has been our strategic technology partner for ten years and VisionTek has focused our efforts on bringing their PC upgrade products to the North American market,” said Michael Innes, chief operating officer of VisionTek. “The AMD brand means cutting edge technology, as well as uncompromising quality and compatibility for PC users. AMD Memory will help expand the ability to optimize performance in personal computers of today and tomorrow. VisionTek will have availability of AMD licensed memory through its strategic North American distribution partner D&H. (www.dandh.com).”
This initiative builds on AMD’s history of helping to supply high-quality DDR3 modules to video card Add-In-Board manufacturers in an effort to help ensure availability.
“AMD has been supplying and validating memory for AMD Radeon™ graphics cards for several years,” said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager, AMD GPU Division. “Based on this experience, adding system memory to our product linewas a clear opportunity for us. This move provides our partners and end-users with a trusted brand synonymous with quality – we can help ensure performance and reliability with AMD Memory.”
AMD Memory is available at three different levels – 2GB, 4GB and 8GB sizes – in a range of price points and speeds. The Entertainment category will feature 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz speed RAM, designed for quiet Home Theater PC applications. The Performance version supports speed up to 1600 MHz with low latency and comes in matched pairs. Finally, Radeon™ Edition DRAM will run at 1866 MHz, and is tuned, tested and certified for specific AMD platforms to enable maximum performance at competitive pricing.
AMD is collaborating with memory module makers to create AMD Memory branded products from components qualified to meet certain specifications. By testing and certifying the memory components, end-users can be assured of compatibility with AMD platforms. AMD Memory is also designed to deliver quality and reliability with compatible chipsets and processors from other manufacturers. AMD Memory is coming to major retailers including Amazon.com, Bestbuy.ca, Fry’s, Memory Express, Micro Center, NCIX, Newegg, Tiger Direct, VIP Computers (UK) and others.
Tags: amd, DDR3 1600, ddr3-1333, ddr3-1866, ddr3-2133, Memory, patriot, release, Visiontek
11-28-11 05:51 PM
11-28-11 06:00 PM
Bit of an unexpected move though, at least in my opinion.
11-28-11 06:07 PM
maybe they hoping ppl who buy AMD CPUS and GPUS will go for the RAM too
11-28-11 06:10 PM
11-28-11 06:19 PM
11-29-11 01:09 AM
Certainly not Steve Jobs
11-29-11 01:26 AM
And he might not be Steve Jobs, but he might have brain...
11-29-11 01:31 AM
11-29-11 01:35 AM
11-29-11 01:36 AM
11-29-11 01:38 AM
11-29-11 01:43 AM
Why bother unless they would be sourcing/binning their own RAM chips for tight quality control? Re-branding seems like something a small 3rd party RAM brand would do. Is finding compatible RAM for AMD systems difficult or something? That would seem like the only "benefit" of using AMD branded RAM in an AMD system. I doubt many Intel users would buy AMD branded (re-branded
11-29-11 01:47 AM
11-29-11 01:51 AM
You also missed another point: AMD shares something near 18% and with the mobile sector growing they need their APU to be competitive.
11-29-11 02:01 AM
bulldozer strategy=failure. Not talking about the product itself, but about the way they handle their new products and projects.
4 Gigs for $28, which are more or less the price of the PNY166/cas8 on newegg.
STill don't see the point.
11-29-11 02:14 AM
Yes, they can set their own price (on RAM they are buying from someone else that also sells their RAM at retail) - but it's not like RAM margins are crazy high to begin with. You want lower CAS to help your APU? Buy RAM with the ratings you want from the original binner - not the 3rd party "re-seller".
Time will tell
11-29-11 02:25 AM
What is new though is 2133 MHZ memory. Awesome!
EDIT: ah just read the new press release radeon will be 1866MHz
As for who makes it? Patriot and Visiontek
11-29-11 02:33 AM
The point is price control. By partnering with 2 RAM manufacturers, they establish greater influence over price points.
Through that control/influence, they want to ensure the path is paved for APU platforms which is their fastest growing market.
This is the point of the move. Securing that path.
@Randyman: If you think they are buying it from someone else, they aren't. The manufacturers make them, and when they come off the line they get a different sticker. What can AMD offer in exchange? Guaranteed premium distribution and increased volume, yielding volume discounts for all parties, and decreased price.
Who is paying who? That is anyones guess, but I can say for certain AMD is nearly paying cost for each stick, if not less while the manufacturers make up the difference on volume. The RAM manufacturers are the big winners in the deal, and the payoff from going in together for AMD is greater control in a market they don't directly compete in, which is critical to their future products in their largest growing market.
11-29-11 02:50 AM
I agree quantity can help to lower pricing, but there is also the fact that AMD will need to make some sort of profit on this venture (on top of the retailers) to keep stockholders happy
Just seems odd to me in general. Want fast RAM to help boost your APU performance? Buy some of the RAM that's already available from numerous RAM brands IMO...
Seems aimed at boosting AMD's Marketing/Image to me - but I guess that's a part of doing business (making yourself look good)...
They probably should have just had Patriot come out with Patriot branded RAM (and let Patriot handle the sales), but marketed as "AMD Series" or something...
11-29-11 03:14 AM
11-29-11 03:18 AM
Patriot reaps the benefits of the market saturation and reputation of their cobranded products. AMD gains better control over the pricing and distribution of RAM their products rely on. How much is paid for and how much is taken in trade or written off on the balance sheet somewhere? Dunno.
I'm not saying this is exactly how it goes. But I think its easy to oversimplify corporate treaties and characterize them to look ridiculous.
... Or it could be another idiotic move by AMD. Time will tell I guess.
I just don't think it makes sense to think of the stupidest thing they could possibly do, say that has to be what they are doing, then call it stupid. There could be some mechanics of the situation that is mutually beneficial for all parties.
11-29-11 03:54 AM
I could see if AMD wanted to do that as they would have complete control over the entire process - manufacturing to binning to making the sticks themselves (still probably not a smart business move considering the very stable competition which is already solidly in-place).
RE - I.M.O.G. - Points taken - but still seems like an odd deal overall from where I sit (and I'm certainly not a corporate suit! just a simple end-user)...
11-29-11 07:45 AM
11-29-11 10:48 AM
11-29-11 03:32 PM
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ght=AMD+memory
Was posted in August. Pretty horrible timings for 1600 RAM.
edit: looks like the timings have improved
still nothing special, but I guess if it helps them attempt to stay competitive?
11-29-11 03:35 PM
EDIT: <- needs to read the whole thread before posting.
Nope.
A monopoly is defined as: exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
Arent there other memory manufacturers out there? CPU manufacturers? GPU manufacturers?
11-29-11 03:59 PM
I'm told there is a 1600 / CL9 kit on the way.
The press deck was pretty clear in itself, so the conference call didn't really do much to change overall perception. There were some buzz words thrown around but they're generally dismissed in my brain, heh. The takeaways I got from the call:
11-29-11 04:07 PM
11-29-11 06:42 PM
To be honest it would make more sense if they made monitors or sound cards; but RAM? Really?
11-30-11 04:46 AM
Don't expect to be at (Still rather pedestrian) speeds until later in 2012? Radeon Edition? That's confusing that's already your graphics card brand.
AMD is making some moves that I personally do not feel are good moves. They don't expect to be at cl9 2133 until Feb 2012.
I don't get it.
11-30-11 01:46 PM
12-01-11 11:45 PM
Then again, what motherboard could possibly use it?
To the naysayers. As stated plenty of times, this is an economical thing, and a good business strategy. Amd is known for being huge risk takers unlike what Intel has been (I.E. not actually doing their own research for things like 3D dohickies, forgot what it was :/). Some odd number of years ago when AMD bought ATi, they were questioned why they did it. They had a game plan that lead to the AMD Llanos that now exist today, and they had already done all the math for it, it took them four years to develop it, and now it is released. While Intel's processors out performs AMDs, the bang per buck is generally worth it in the end.
What kind of funky plans AMD will have in the future after creating ram, god knows what.
12-02-11 12:30 AM
They aren't good for consumers in a sense because they tend to be pricey but if they cant turn a profit and put the cash into research what good is it? Look at how many generational changes we've seen from them. Litererly a new chip arch every 2 years. How many has AMD done? Two? Maybe in the last 10 years?