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  "path": "/article/4129624/intel-teams-with-softbank-to-develop-new-memory-type.html",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-09T17:59:48.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.networkworld.com",
  "tags": [
    "Artificial Intelligence, CPUs and Processors",
    "killing off its Optane",
    "Intel",
    "Z-Angle Memory",
    "Saimemory",
    "blog post",
    "AI data centers",
    "Jim Handy, president of Objective Analysis"
  ],
  "textContent": "Four years after killing off its Optane memory products, Intel is getting back into the memory business by partnering with a SoftBank subsidiary to launch a new “ZAM” memory technology.\n\nZAM, or Z-Angle Memory, is being jointly developed by Intel and SoftBank’s Saimemory subsidiary. Development of ZAM memory technology reportedly began under the Advanced Memory Technology (AMT) program initiated by the Department of Energy. The goal was what Intel called Next Generation DRAM Bonding project.\n\nSaimemory was formed in December 2024 to develop AI-focused, next-generation semiconductor memory technologies as an alternative to High Bandwidth Memory (HBM). Its CEO is Hideya Yamaguchi, a 40-year veteran of Toshiba semiconductors, while its CTO Stephen Morein was a senior principal engineer and systems and silicon architect at Intel.\n\nHowever, don’t expect anything anytime soon. Intel’s Director of Global Strategic Partnerships Sanam Masroor outlined the plans in a blog post. Operations are expected to begin in Q1 2026, with prototypes due in 2027 and commercial products by 2030.\n\nWhile Intel has not come out and said it, that memory design is almost identical to HBM used in GPU accelerators and AI data centers. HBM sits right on the GPU die for immediate access to the GPU, unlike standard DRAM which resides on memory sticks plugged into the motherboard.\n\nHBM is much faster than DDR memory but is also much more expensive to produce. It’s also much more profitable than standard DRAM which is why the big three memory makers – Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix – are favoring production of it.\n\nJim Handy, president of Objective Analysis, which covers the memory market, has a lot of issues with the announcement, starting with how far Intel is from shipping anything.\n\n“I wouldn’t call it vapor, but this is an awfully early announcement for something that’s not supposed to be in volume production until 2030. I can understand its being vague, but there’s nothing in the announcement to reassure anyone that this will be a big success,” he said.",
  "title": "Intel teams with SoftBank to develop new memory type"
}