Samsung begins manufacturing high-performance DDR5 memory chip in industry first

Samsung Electronics began manufacturing a high-performance, low-power 16-gigabit Double Data Rate 5 (DDR5) memory chip, an industry first, using 12-nanometer class process technology, the chipmaker said Thursday.

By using 12-nanometer class technology, “the most advanced in the industry,” Samsung said that it improved wafer productivity by 20 percent compared to the previous 14-nanometer class technology.

The latest dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip’s memory also consumes 23 percent less energy compared to the previous model, according to Samsung.

The 12-nanometer class DDR5 was first introduced by Samsung in December last year and completed compatibility tests with AMD microprocessors.

DDR5 is an advanced DRAM standard with faster speeds and improved energy efficiency compared to DDR4, or Double Data Rate 4, and therefore is well suited for data-intensive applications such as machine learning and big data.

The 12-nanometer class DDR5 DRAM chip can enable an internet speed of up to 7.2 gigabits per second, meaning that it can process two 30-gigabyte videos in one second, explained Samsung Electronics.

“Our latest DRAM reflects our continued commitment to leading the DRAM market, not only with high-performance and high-capacity products that meet computing market demand for large-scale processing but also by commercializing next-generation solutions that support greater productivity,” said Lee Joo-young, executive vice president of DRAM at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics accounted for 45.1 percent of the global DRAM market revenue in the fourth quarter last year, claiming the biggest market share, according to TrendForce.

The weak demand for memory chips is expected to rebound starting in the latter half of the year, according to analysts.

“The global DRAM market is expected to enter a period where demand outruns supply, which would lower the inventory level and improve performances for companies, starting the third quarter this year,” said Kim Kwang-jin, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]