July 15, 2025
Sustainable Computing With CXL: How Marvell Structera X Can Help Eliminate Waste, Expand Capacity, Lower Emissions
By
Khurram Malik, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Marvell
As AI, cloud computing, and high-performance workloads continue to grow rapidly, data centers are accelerating their infrastructure upgrades. Central to this transformation is the migration to DDR5 memory, designed to meet the increasing demands for bandwidth and speed in servers.
This shift, however, comes with a significant challenge: millions of fully functional DDR4 memory modules, the dominant memory inside today’s servers, could be retired prematurely. This is not because of a performance failure. DDR4 memory modules can operate for a decade or longer. Instead, it is because the latest generation of server CPUs only support DDR5 memory. Put another way, when hyperscalers replace their current servers with DDR5 modules over the coming years, they will be potentially throwing away billions of GBs of fully functional DDR4 memory if they can’t find ways to use them.
The result is a looming e-waste problem and an environmental impact that cannot be ignored. Up to 66 billion kilograms of CO₂ emissions—approximately the same amount that would be generated by 168 billion miles of driving1-- and thousands of tons of e-waste can be avoided by giving DDR4 a second life. Marvell® CXL Structera™ X presents a powerful solution by extending the life of DDR4 memory, enabling data centers to reuse these existing assets, reduce capital expenditures, and minimize their carbon footprint—all while improving the performance footprint of their infrastructure.
Marvell CXL Structera X: A Pathway for More Memory
Released last year, Marvell Structera CXL devices effectively allow cloud operators and system designers to add extra memory, memory bandwidth, and/or computing cores to servers by transforming an open PCIe interface into a memory channel. A first-of-its kind device, the Structera A memory accelerator provides a path for adding up to 16 server CPU cores, 200Gb of memory bandwidth and 4TB of memory for offloading the processing of deep learning recommendation models (DLRM) and other tasks for CPUs.
Structera X, meanwhile, focuses on maximizing capacity. A single Structera X 2404 is capable of supporting up to 12 DDR4 additional DIMMs, or 6TB memory capacity without compression, or up to 12TB with LZ4 inline compression in a single one- or two-processor server. It is also the first CXL device to be compatible with both DDR4 or DDR5. As a result, Structera X becomes a conduit for recycling DDR4. The diagram shows more:
Financially, reusing memory is a boon. July 2025 spot prices for 96GB DIMMs of DDR5 memory range from $458 to $488.2 Repurposing TBs of otherwise-to-be-discarded DDR4 instead of buying new DDR5 means thousands of dollars saved per CXL-enhanced server.
Quantifying the Environmental Impact
The potential environmental benefits are supersized as well. Research firm TechInsights estimates that producing a 1.5GB of DDR5 device results in 4.5 kg of CO₂ emissions.5 The figure includes emissions from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. That would mean approximately 3 kg of CO2 get emitted for every 1GB produced. While emissions will vary by fab, process node, location, energy source and other factors, 3 kg can be seen as a somewhat conservative estimate as other sources have estimated that producing and shipping 1GB of DRAM generates over 5kg.4 An estimated 22 exabytes of DDR4, or around 55% of the total DDR4 shipped, have been deployed by hyperscalers in the U.S. and China.5
So let’s run the math:
- 1 GB DDR5 = 3 kg of CO2
- 1 billion GB = 1EB
- 1EB of DDR5 = 3 billion kg of CO2 generated in manufacturing.
- 22 EB x 3 billion kg = 66 billion kilograms, or 72.8 million U.S. tons, of CO2 avoided by not manufacturing new DDR5 and repurposing discarded DDR4 instead.
That is equivalent to:
- The CO2 emitted by 15.4 million cars over a full year.1
- Or any one of the following from the EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Equivalency Calculator:1
At the same time, it would help reduce the 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste that gets produced each year.6 Today, only 17%, or 9.1 million tons, is even collected.6 1GB of DRAM weighs approximately 1.5 grams5. That means 1EB weighs approximately 1.5 million kilograms. 22EB comes to 33 million kilograms, or 36,376 US tons, of materials including silicon, copper, and gold that don’t have to be consumed for DRAM production.
That’s equivalent to:
- 2,598 large dump trucks filled to capacity.7
- The Statue of Liberty 161 times over.8
- The trash generated by 11,051 U.S. families in a year.9
The Bottom Line
Structera X facilitates a transition to a circular IT infrastructure model—where memory modules are repurposed, not discarded—extending hardware life cycles and reducing environmental impact. The benefits for data centers include:
- Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO): Defer costly DDR5 memory purchases by repurposing DDR4.
- The ability to scale rapidly: Expand memory capacity on demand without large upfront investments.
- A lower environmental footprint: Cut embodied carbon, reduce landfill e-waste, and conserve critical raw materials.
- Help toward sustainability goals: Provide measurable, auditable progress toward net-zero and ESG targets.
In today’s environment, where operational excellence must align with sustainability, Marvell CXL Structera X offers a compelling way forward. It transforms memory management from a linear upgrade cycle into a circular, value-maximizing strategy—benefiting finances, performance, and the planet.
Why discard working DDR4 memory when you can reuse, scale, and decarbonize all at once?
Take the Next Step with Marvell CXL Structera X.
To learn how you can unlock the full potential of your DDR4 memory and reduce environmental impact, connect with your Marvell representative or IT asset management partner today.
Khurram Malik is the Senior Director of Product Marketing in the Custom Cloud Solutions Business Unit for memory products at Marvell.
1. Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator, Environmental Protection Agency
2. Memory Net, July 2025.
3. TechInsights Sustainability Service, June 2025.
4. HotCarbon.org. Tannu and Nair, 2022.
5. Marvell estimates based on review of industry forecasts and interviews with partners.
8. Royal Coachman (travel agent.)
9. The Dumpsters blog.
# # #
This blog contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future events or achievements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contemplated in this blog. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and no person assumes any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Tags: data centers, AI, AI infrastructure, ESG
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