SK hynix unveils world’s highest-performing GDDR7

GDDR7 DRAM. [Courtesy of SK hynix Inc.]

South Korea’s SK hynix Inc., currently the world number 2 memory chip maker, introduced a graphics double data rate (GDDR7) with the most advanced specifications as it engages in a fierce competition with Samsung Electronics Co. for the next generation of memory chips beyond high-bandwidth memory (HBM).

The GDDR7 unveiled by Seoul-based SK hynix’s boasts the world‘s highest performance. GDDRs refer to ultra-fast DRAMs used for image and graphics processing, and although slower than HBM, they consume less power and are more cost-effective.

“We developed the highest-performance GDDR7 in March 2024 and unveiled it this month, with plans to start mass production in the third quarter of the year,” an official from the chipmaker said.

The new GDDR7 is 60 percent faster than the previous generation, and can achieve operating speeds of 32Gbps, with potential increases up to 40Gbps depending on the usage conditions. The highest speed for a Samsung Electronics product is 37Gbps.

SK hynix’s GDDR7 can process more than 1.5 terabytes (TB) of data, enough to handle the data for 300 full HD movies, in a second while its new packaging technology can also improve power efficiency and significantly reduce heat generation. The company improved the heat dissipation sink by adding layers from four to six to reduce thermal resistance by 74 percent using a high-heat epoxy molding compound (EMC) material.