Infineon Broadens DRAM Portfolio With New High-Performance, Low-Power Graphics Memory

Munich/Germany – July 1, 2002 – Infineon Technologies (DAX/NYSE: IFX) today introduced a new 128 Mbit Double Data Rate (DDR) Graphics RAM component for 3D Graphics applications in portable and desktop computers. Designed to operate at clock speeds up to 450 MHz, Infineon’s newest Graphics RAM can handle data bandwidths up to 3.6 Gigabytes per second, making it an ideal device to support advanced graphics acceleration processors used in both professional graphics and computer gaming applications.

The new Graphics RAM has a 1.8V interface, which contributes to significant power savings compared to typical 2.5V interface. By implementing chip design features developed for its specialty memory and future generation mainstream DRAM products, Infineon achieves low power dissipation while maintaining high clock rate operation. This helps system engineers achieve low heat and battery-friendly design of 3D graphics cards, with no sacrifice in the clocked performance of the device.

“Infineon’s growing experience with specialized DRAM provides our design teams with significant expertise in the reduction of power requirements while enhancing overall performance”, commented Dr. Harald Eggers, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Memory Products Group at Infineon. “Combined with continued adoption of leading-edge process technologies, we are able to really push performance while increasing density and lowering power draw.”

The 128 Mbit Graphics RAM is organised 4x32 and can be used in 32, 64, 128 and 256-bit bus graphics applications. The packaging is a JEDEC (Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council) standard, 144 ball fine-pitch ball-grid-array (FBGA) that measures 11mm x 11mm. The devices can operate at frequencies up to 450 MHz, which makes it capable of handling data bandwidths up to 3.6 Gigabytes per second.

Typically, memories designed to reach the highest possible clock frequency require system designers to sacrifice latency performance and power consumption. Infineon focuses on the balanced development of graphics memory to improve overall performance. The x32 graphics memories have best-in-class latency as low as four, which helps to eliminate frozen frames caused by graphics memory refresh when an image is redrawn. Matched with best-in-class power consumption, Infineon’s newest graphics memories offer benefits both in portable PC applications and the very dense frame buffers now found in professional systems and home PCs used for gaming.

Availability and Pricing

First samples of the 128Mbit DDR SGRAM organized 4Mx32 will be available in Q2 2002. The product range will feature frequencies up to 450MHz. Volume production is scheduled to start in Q4 2002. Sample pricing will be US$9.95, and production volume pricing is available to qualified customers on request.

Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, offers semiconductor and system solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smartcards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. A global player, Infineon operates in the USA from San Jose, California, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. Employing about 33,800 people worldwide, the company achieved sales of EUR 5.67 billion in fiscal 2001 (ending September). Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol IFX. Further information is available at www.infineon.com.