Computer Express Link (CXL) revolutionizes the interaction between CPUs and GPUs with memory and acceleration units, establishing a standardized communication protocol that minimizes latency and accelerates system performance. This enhancement is particularly crucial for applications demanding swift data processing, such as artificial intelligence.
In a recent press event, Jangseok Choi, Vice President of Samsung’s new business planning division, shared the company’s ambitious plans to produce and distribute CXL-compatible memory modules in the near future.
“Our goal is to commence mass production of 256 GB DRAM supporting CXL 2.0 within this calendar year. We anticipate significant growth in the CXL market starting in the latter half of this year with an explosive expansion expected by 2028,” Choi conveyed to attendees.
Transforming Computational Capability
Samsung foresees that embracing CXL technology could lead to an increase in memory capacity per server by eight to ten times, marking a dramatic enhancement in computational power. An official from Samsung illustrated this advancement by stating that CXL “broadened the connectivity between CPUs and memory modules from two or three pathways up to over eight.”
The introduction of Samsung’s CXL 2.0 DRAM back in May 2023 features support for memory pooling—a modern technique allowing multiple blocks of CXL-enabled memory on server platforms to be aggregated into a single pool. This capability enables hosts to dynamically allocate resources as necessary, significantly enhancing memory utilization efficiency and optimizing resource management.
Micron Technology Inc. and SK Hynix are also making strides towards developing their own versions of CXL-based memory solutions; however, “As the sole representative on the board of directors for the CXL consortium among memory manufacturers, Samsung is dedicated to advancing collaboration within the broader ecosystem through partnerships with data centers, server producers, and chipset developers,” Choi remarked.
“Samsung has devoted over ten years towards refining high-quality solutions compatible with CXL,” he continued. “We are currently conducting performance validation tests on our products alongside our partners.”
Further Insights from TechRadar Pro
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- A startup claims advancements in LLM performance achieved using standard RAM instead of HBM
- Laptops can utilize external RAM through an underappreciated technology known as CXL
