SK Hynix today posted an update on its blog about the upcoming DDR5 memory that it has developed in collaboration with JEDEC. They pointed out some key factors of this new memory, such as the maximum speed of 8400 MHz.
DDR5 will have a maximum memory speed of 8400 MHz
SK Hynix has provided Hynix with some important details about its new DDR5 memory, which is expected to be mass-produced from 2020 onwards.
The most interesting features are the maximum speed of 8400 MHz. The DDR5 standard is very flexible and allows manufacturers to release their chips with frequencies of 3200-8400 MHz. While the lowest speed is 3200 MHz, manufacturers start with the 4800 MHz chips and build their way from there. The minimum density of a single DDR5 cube is 8 Gb, while the maximum density is 64 Gb, which quadruples the maximum capacity of DDR4 cubes.
In addition to the capacity and speed improvements, we will also add the Error Correction Code (ECC) for the memory. This will no longer apply only to some special chips, as in the case of DDR4, but will be built into each cube. DDR5 memory chips use 32 banks divided into 8 bank groups, which allows the highest possible bandwidth. The bandwidth has been doubled to 16, compared to 8 DDR4, making memory access more available. The operating voltage is reduced to 1.1V, compared to 1.2V for DDR4, resulting in an overall 20% reduction in power consumption.
Mass production of SK-Hynix DDR5 chips will begin this year, but it is not known when it will begin.