On Wednesday, Samsung made an exciting announcement regarding the development of its latest innovation in the field of memory technology. The company revealed that it has completed the development of the industry’s first GDDR7 DRAM, which is expected to revolutionize the future of computing, vehicle, and gaming hardware. Samsung’s key partners can anticipate the integration of these cutting-edge chips into their next-gen systems for testing as early as later this year. If all goes according to plan, consumers could witness the arrival of products equipped with Samsung’s GDDR7 memory as soon as next year.
Yongcheol Bae, the executive vice president of the Memory Product Planning Team at Samsung Electronics, expressed his excitement about the potential of GDDR7 DRAM: “Our GDDR7 DRAM will help elevate user experiences in areas that require outstanding graphics performance, such as workstations, PCs, and game consoles, and is expected to expand into future applications such as AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive vehicles.”
One of the standout features of Samsung’s GDDR7 memory is its capability to deliver the highest speed ever achieved in the industry. This remarkable accomplishment is attributed to the adoption of Pulse Amplitude Modulation-3 (PAM3) technology, a signal modulation technique that enables higher bandwidth compared to GDDR6’s PAM2. Samsung claims that its GDDR7 memory can deliver an astonishing 1.5TBps of bandwidth, showcasing a 40 percent increase compared to the 1.1TBps provided by GDDR6 chips, which the company previously announced.
In addition to the incredible speed, Samsung’s GDDR7 memory also boasts a significant boost in speed per pin. With speeds of up to 32Gbps per pin, Samsung’s GDDR7 memory surpasses its top GDDR6 products, which offer a data rate of 24Gbps per pin. Although not reaching the target of 36Gbps per pin that Samsung aspires to achieve, the company’s track record indicates the potential for further enhancement in the future.
The increased bandwidth offered by GDDR7 memory holds immense promise for graphics cards. Currently, the fastest GDDR6 memory used in GPUs is a 24Gbps-rated variant, limiting the performance potential of these devices. However, Samsung’s GDDR7 memory could unleash greater bandwidth, providing a substantial performance boost for graphics cards to meet the demands of modern applications and games.
An energy-efficient solution is also a major focus for Samsung. The company claims that its GDDR7 DRAM is 20 percent more energy efficient compared to GDDR6, thanks to its “power-saving design technology optimized for high-speed operations.” As a result, Samsung is developing a low-operating-voltage option specifically designed for hardware with power limitations, such as laptops. While no specific details about the performance of these chips have been disclosed, the emphasis on energy efficiency suggests significant advancements in power consumption management.
Moreover, Samsung has introduced a new epoxy molding compound designed to address thermal concerns. This compound minimizes heat generation and prevents components from overheating, resulting in a 70 percent reduction in package thermal resistance compared to GDDR6 memory chips. This advancement in thermal management will likely enhance the overall performance and reliability of devices incorporating Samsung’s GDDR7 memory.
It is important to note that the development of GDDR7 has been a collaborative effort across the industry. While Samsung is the first manufacturer to announce the completion of its GDDR7 chips, the process of mass production is still ahead. System design company Cadence has already introduced the industry’s first verification solution for GDDR7, and Micron has announced its own plans to debut GDDR7 memory in the first half of 2024. This indicates a growing competition among memory manufacturers to be the first to provide market-ready GDDR7 products.
In conclusion, Samsung’s development of the industry’s first GDDR7 DRAM marks a significant milestone in the world of memory technology. With its exceptional speed, improved efficiency, and advanced thermal management, Samsung’s GDDR7 memory has the potential to revolutionize graphics performance in various applications. As the industry eagerly awaits the mass production of GDDR7 chips, it remains to be seen which manufacturer will emerge as the leader in this groundbreaking technology.
