SK Hynix has achieved a remarkable milestone by developing the industry’s first 16Gb DDR5 memory using its 1c node, marking the sixth generation of the 10 nm process. This significant advancement signifies the beginning of extreme scaling technology, bringing memory process technology closer to the 10 nm threshold.
Technological Breakthroughs and Design Innovations
Achieving this feat was not without challenges. The complexity and difficulty of advancing the shrinking process of 10 nm-range DRAM technology have amplified over generations. Nonetheless, SK Hynix has successfully overcome these obstacles, thanks to its industry-leading 1b technology, the fifth generation of the 10 nm process. By extending the 1b platform, the company has managed to develop the 1c DDR5 with increased design precision and complexity.
Advantages and Future Prospects
The new DDR5 memory comes with a plethora of enhancements. First, it offers better cost competitiveness compared to previous generations by incorporating a novel material in specific steps of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) process and optimizing the overall EUV application. This technological innovation has improved productivity by over 30%. Additionally, the 1c DDR5 boasts an 11% increase in operating speed, reaching an impressive 8 Gbps. Power efficiency has also seen a significant improvement, exceeding 9%, which could lead to a 30% reduction in electricity costs for high-performance data centers amid the rising power demands of the AI era.
Commitment to Future Developments
SK Hynix has expressed their determination in continuing to provide value through cutting-edge technology. Kim Jonghwan, head of DRAM development, stated, “We are committed to providing differentiated values to customers by applying the 1c technology equipped with the best performance and cost competitiveness to our major next-generation products including HBM, LPDDR6, and GDDR7.” The company aims to maintain its leadership in the DRAM space and uphold its position as the most trusted AI memory solution provider.
