A Nostalgic Turn: Data Centers Rush to Re-Embrace DDR4 Amid Surging Memory Costs

It seems data center operators and companies that simply need a lot of RAM have a chance to save significantly in these challenging times. This is thanks to one small chip. More precisely, the Marvell Structera X 2404 adapter based on that very small chip. The Structera X 2404 is a PCIe expansion card that can accommodate RAM. There is nothing particularly new about such a solution, and even consumer versions have been on the market for a long time. But Marvell’s product is aimed at data centers.

The significance of it lies in the fact that specifically the Structera X 2404 model allows you to install DDR4 modules, although there is also the 2405 model for DDR5 memory. The adapter allows the use of DDR4 memory in modern systems designed for DDR5. This means that large companies can use old memory left in warehouses after updating systems to new ones with DDR5 support. The Structera X 2404 offers four channels and 12 slots for RAM modules. Thus, using, for example, modules with a capacity of 128 GB, you can add 1.5 TB of RAM to the system through one adapter. Moreover, at the core of the adapter lies a chip supporting CXL technology with LZ4 compression. Marvell talks about a compression ratio of 1.8-2, meaning that with those very physical 1.5 TB of RAM, the system could effectively use up to 3 TB.

The very chip at the heart of the adapter has 16 Arm Neoverse v2 cores. These Structera X adapters were introduced last year, and it is unclear exactly when they hit the market. However, massive coverage began just now, as the effect of such a solution in practice is enormous due to the increase in RAM prices. Authors from ServeTheHome even traveled to Marvell’s factory to show production and how the technology works in general.

Recent developments in memory technology have emphasized the balancing act between cost-efficiency and performance. DDR4, with its stable supply and cost-effectiveness, is becoming increasingly attractive as DDR5 prices remain high due to production complexities and rapid demand growth. Industry experts highlight Marvell’s intelligent design choices in the Structera X series, which allows businesses to strategically utilize existing resources while preparing for future enhancements. Many data centers are opting for DDR4 solutions, attributing their decisions to well-documented economic pressures and logistical advantages. Furthermore, the industry anticipates continuous price fluctuations in RAM, underscoring the importance of adaptable strategies like Marvell’s Structera X 2404 in maintaining competitive edge.