Japanese memory-chip maker Elpida Memory on Monday began mass production of memory chips using a 70-nanometer production process, which offers to further reduce costs and improve performance.Elpida is now making 1-gigabit and 512-megabit DDR (double data rate 2) SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) chips at Hiroshima Elpida Memory Inc., the company’s main production plant. The chips are designed for a range of applications, including servers and digital cameras, and will be available during the first quarter of 2007, the company said.Previously, Elpida used a 90-nanometer process to manufacture memory chips. Moving to a more advanced process allows the company to reduce the size of the smallest features that can be created on a chip, which means the overall size of the ship can shrink. This allows more chips to be produced on a silicon wafer and lowers unit production costs, which usually means lower chip prices for end users.More advanced production processes generally lower power consumption and speed up chip performance. Looking ahead, Elpida plans to begin using the 70-nanometer process to make Mobile RAM chips, memory chips that are designed for use in mobile phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants). The company did not give a date for when it expects to begin production of these chips with the more advanced process technology. — Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service (Singapore Bureau)Related Links: • New Memory Chip Could Take Place of Flash, HDD• Memory on a StickerCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM How digital twin technology is changing complex industrial processes forever As the use cases for digital twins proliferate, it is becoming clear that data-driven enterprises with a track record of innovation stand the best chance of success. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM Why modernising applications needs to be a ‘must’ for businesses seeking growth Around one-third of enterprises are spending heavily on application modernisation and aiming for cloud native status. The implications for corporate culture, structure and priorities will be profound. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation opinion 11 ways to reduce your IT costs now Reorienting IT’s budget toward future opportunities is a big reason why CIOs should review their IT portfolios with an eye toward curbing unnecessary spending and realizing maximum value from every IT investment. By Stephanie Overby Dec 05, 2023 11 mins Budget Cloud Management IT Governance news analysis SAP faces breakdown in trust over innovation plans The company’s plan to offer future innovations in S/4HANA only to subscribers of its Rise with SAP offering is alienating customers, user conference hears. By Peter Sayer Dec 05, 2023 6 mins SAP SAP SAP Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe