Rising RAM Prices: Finally, Some Good News from AMD
RAM prices have been making computer upgrades more expensive, so it is encouraging to see AMD working on a way to reduce memory costs. Its MEXT software could help businesses get more usable memory from their servers without buying as much expensive RAM.
How does it work?
RAM is the fast working memory a computer uses to run applications. However, some of the data sitting in RAM may go unused for long periods.
MEXT moves that less frequently used data onto cheaper SSD storage. It then uses AI to predict when the data will be needed and tries to bring it back into RAM before the application asks for it.
The aim is simple: keep the data that needs speed in RAM, while using SSD storage for the rest. AMD says this can help applications work with less physical RAM while maintaining much of their performance.
Half the RAM, nearly the same performance?
AMD has reported promising results in selected tests:
Chip design software: A Synopsys PrimeTime test kept around 95% of its original performance with half the physical RAM.
Data analysis software: An Apache Spark test kept around 99% of its original performance, also with half the RAM.
These are AMD’s reported results for particular applications. The benefit will depend on the software being used and how much data is moved to SSD storage.
Using half as much RAM also does not automatically mean halving the total bill. Businesses would still need to consider SSD capacity, software licensing and any effect on performance.
What does this mean for gaming PCs?
For now, MEXT is aimed at AMD EPYC servers and demanding business applications. AMD’s current support information lists Linux operating systems. These results should therefore not be taken as a reason to halve the RAM in a normal Windows gaming PC.
The announcement also gives us no basis to promise that RAM prices in shops will fall. Its immediate value is the possibility of helping suitable servers do more with the memory they already have.
Our view at GGMachines
We welcome developments that help customers get more value from their hardware. AMD’s approach looks promising for businesses whose applications need large amounts of memory.
For everyday PCs, gaming systems and workstations, our advice remains straightforward: choose enough RAM for the software you actually use. We see MEXT as an encouraging development to follow as it reaches more systems and its benefits become clearer.
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