en.Wedoany.com Reported - Meta has developed a custom CXL (Compute Express Link) chip called Vistara, along with related software, to decouple old memory from server memory channels, enabling it to be reused alongside native memory in new machines to address rising memory costs. Meta states that approximately 40% of its millions of servers are performance-limited by insufficient memory, but memory chips have about twice the lifespan of other server components. Additionally, Meta possesses a large inventory of old DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Modules) from retired servers, providing a foundation for reuse.

Using old memory via the CXL interface does not significantly impact performance, but inserting old DIMMs directly into new servers would have a notable effect. Meta described this technical principle in a technical paper titled "Vistara: Making CXL a Reality – From ASIC Design and OS Support to Hyperscale Deployment."

The current memory market faces tight supply, with users previously warned that memory prices could double by the end of 2026, and shortages may persist into 2027. Apple recently suggested using cheaper Chinese chips, a move that could face opposition from the Trump administration. Against this backdrop, Meta's solution for reusing old memory may offer a cost-saving pathway.