Micron Announces Groundbreaking GDDR7 Memory Chips for Next-Gen Graphics Cards and AI Accelerators

Micron, a leading chip manufacturer, recently declared the commencement of sample provisioning for its GDDR7 memory chips, designed for the next generation of graphics cards and AI accelerators. Built on Micron's advanced 1β process node, these memory chips, also referred to as VRAM in GPUs, set new industry benchmarks with a data transfer rate of 32Gb per second and a total system bandwidth exceeding 1.5TB per second.

Each of these GDDR7 memory chips maintains a capacity of 16Gb, with the maximum data transfer rate hitting 32GB per second. A notable advancement is the shift from Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) modulation to the more efficient PAM3, alongside a voltage reduction from 1.35V to 1.2V.

Compared to its predecessor, the GDDR6, the new version sees substantial improvements in both performance and power consumption. Bandwidth is increased by 60%, and energy efficiency is enhanced by 50% over GDDR6. These energy efficiency improvements are pivotal in reducing heat generation and extending the battery life of mobile devices. Additionally, the introduction of a new sleep mode allows for a 70% reduction in power consumption.

For AI accelerators, the high bandwidth and low power consumption of GDDR7 memory chips are essential for boosting performance and facilitating the construction of denser devices. With reduced heat generation, it's possible to stack more devices closely together, saving space and increasing density.

Gamers also stand to benefit significantly from GDDR7 chips. Micron suggests that with the same hardware setup, switching from GDDR6/6X to GDDR7 could potentially increase the FPS by 30% in games utilizing ray tracing and rasterization.

On the hardware front, Micron's GDDR7 chips are slated for release to partners in the second half of 2024. AMD has already disclosed plans to incorporate Micron's GDDR7 chips in its graphics cards. Nvidia, however, is expected to conduct further testing and validation before deciding on the adoption of these chips.

For more detailed information, refer to Micron's technical document: https://www.micron.com/content/dam/micron/global/public/products/product-flyer/gddr7-product-brief.pdf