To meet the growing demand for DDR memory, graphics chip designer Nvidia has decided to update its SDRAM-based GeForce4 MX420 chips to support DDR architecture, sources said. Cards based on the updated chips are expected to hit the market by the end of April at the earliest. Based on the NV17 core, the GeForce4 MX420, like other GeForce4 chips, has no problem supporting the DDR platform. However, due to product positioning and the then-higher DDR price, the chip was introduced as an exclusively SDRAM-based line in February. The marketing strategy later became a sales barrier to the GeForce4 MX420 as SDRAM prices have kept soaring, greatly heightening production costs. To solve the problem, some manufacturers have started changing the card design to allow the GeForce4 MX420 to support DDR architecture as well. Given that the solution has not only raised the overall product performance but also lowered costs, other card makers, including Asustek Computer and Germany-based ELSA, are considering following suit. Seeing increasing demand, Nvidia has now decided to update the chips itself