Phase Change RAM, or PRAM, also known as ”perfect RAM” since its first appearance in 2005, and later unveiling in 2006, is more or less a hybrid of flash memory and DRAM. PRAM sports performance on the level of DRAM while it like flash memory will remain intact after the power goes out. In other words, PRAM could be used to replace Solid State Drives and Samsung promises 30 times better performance.
Back in 2008 Samsung was talking about mass producing the new PRAM memory circuits in the first half of 2009 and it has now been confirmed that the first PRAM chips will be leaving Samsung’s plants in June.
The 65nm 512Mb PRAM chips will be used with mobile devices like mobile phone and other products that could use fast transfer rates.
Even if PRAM won’t come cheap it is unavoidable not to see the potential of the technology. Even if the first goal for PRAM is to replace NOR flash memory, also NAND flash is within reach.
Solid State Drives with PRAM technology would be something really extraordinary. The density has to increase though, while the manufacturing costs has be lowered before it will make in substantial progress, but one can dream…
