While there have been earlier some attempts on creating an SSD that plugs into a RAM slot, JEDEC has now announced that its has approved the first standards for support of "hybrid" DDR4 memory modules based on non-volatile (NV) memory, such as NAND flash memory, called the Non-Volatile DIMM, or NVDIMMs.

According to current details, NVDIMMs or hybrid memory modules will be able to use standard dual in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets and share the memory channel with other standard DDR4 DIMMs as well as add new levels of functionality to memory. These modules could be used for data persistence, mass storage as well as any other new applications.

According to JEDEC, NAND Flash will be the fist non-volatile memory to be incorporated into the channel but other memory types will be included as well. JEDEC has currently standardizing two types of such NVDIMMs, the NVDIMM-N, which will combine DRAM and NAND flash chips on a single module which should preserve data during a power outage or other interruption as well as the NVDIMM-F, completely based on NAND flash memory, or pretty much an SSD that plugs into memory DIMM slot.

According to JEDECE, there are plenty of manufacturers producing NVDIMMs now and official announcements are expected in "the coming months". Hopefully we will see a preview of those products during Computex 2015 show which kicks off next on June 6th.



Source: JEDEC.org.