The DDR5 DRAM is optimised for Big Data, AI and ML, and has been predicted to see a steady growth in the global DRAM market in future
SK Hynix, a Korea-based semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (DRAM), flash memory chips (NAND flash) and CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) has announced the launch of DDR5 DRAM. It is a high-speed and high-density product optimised for Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) as a next-generation standard of DRAM.
SK Hynix’s DDR5 supports a transfer rate of 4,800 to 5,600 Mbps, which is 1.8x faster than DDR4. It can transmit 9 full-HD (FHD) movies (5GB each) per second with 5,600Mbps transfer rate. Its operating voltage is 1.1V being lowered from 1.2V of DDR4, which means that its power consumption is reduced by 20 per cent.
Another notable specification of this DDR5 is Error Correcting Code (ECC) inside the chip that can correct even 1-bit-level errors by itself. With the ECC, the reliability of applications will be increased by 20 times. The DDR5 also could build up to 256 GB capacity applying through-silicon-via (TSV) technology.
Because DDR5 consumes less power and significantly improves reliability, it is expected that these eco-friendly semiconductor memories will reduce both the power consumption and operating costs of data centres.
Increased Prospects
According to market intelligence provider Omdia, the DDR5 demand will surge in 2021 and will capture 10 per cent of total global DRAM market in 2022, increasing to 43 per cent in 2024.
“As SK Hynix has launched World’s First DDR5 DRAM, the Company could lead the future technology trend in the global DRAM market,” said Jonghoon Oh, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at SK Hynix. He added, “SK Hynix will focus on the fast-growing premium server market, solidifying its position as a leading company in server DRAM.”
Since SK Hynix announced developing a 16 GB DDR5 DRAM in 2018, the company has provided its major partners including Intel with sample products and has completed various tests and verification of its functions and compatibility. Synopsys, Renesas, Montage Technology and Rambus have also stated their commitment to the continuing cooperation in creating the DDR5 ecosystem.
This will allow SK Hynix to provide its customers with the products once the DDR5 market becomes active.
In the meantime, SK Hynix has conducted joint-operation of the on-site lab, system-level test and simulation with System-on-Chip (SoC) manufacturers to verify the functions of DDR5. Also, the company validated compatibility of its DDR5 and major components on the DRAM module including register clock driver (RCD), which affects DRAM performance and power management integrated circuit (PMIC).
