SK hynix to mass-produce next-gen GDDR7 memory chip from Q3

The Korean chip maker is seeking to maintain its lead in the AI memory chip sector with the mass production of the graphics double data rate chips.

SK hynix's GDDR7 [SK HYNIX]

SK hynix will mass-produce the next-generation graphics double data rate (GDDR) memory chip, the GDDR7, in the third quarter of this year as the Korean chipmaker hunts for the next high bandwidth memory (HBM) to extend its lead in the AI memory chip sector.

The company is currently at the forefront of HBM, with Samsung Electronics and Micron in pursuit.

GDDR is a memory chip specializing in graphics processing, making it suitable for tasks like gaming, video editing and 3-D rendering.

SK hynix said Tuesday that the latest GDDR7 achieved an operating speed of 32GB per second, which is 60 percent faster than the previous version, while power efficiency has been improved by 50 percent.

It can reach 40GB per second depending on the circumstances, the company said, adding that such a speed is equivalent to downloading 300 Full-HD films in a second.

The improved performance was possible through new packaging technology that significantly addresses the chip's heat issues.

It increased the number of layers for heat-dissipating substrates from four to six and applied an epoxy-molding compound for the packaging materials while maintaining the chip's size. This packaging technology enabled SK hynix to improve the GDDR7's thermal resistance by 74 percent, according to the company.

SK hynix is ramping up efforts to find its next HBM as the company vies to maintain its dominance in the competitive AI memory chip segment.

Samsung Electronics was the first to develop a GDDR7 that supports an operating speed of 32GB per second last year, but hasn't disclosed its mass production schedule yet.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]