Micron plans to mass produce 32Gb DDR5 chips in 2024H1 to create 1TB modules
Earlier this year, Micron unveiled its second generation DDR5 memory modules, conforming to DDR5-5200 and DDR5-5600 standards. In addition to traditional 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities, they introduced an unprecedented offering of 24GB and 48GB options for consumers. These modules, which support XMP 3.0 and EXPO technologies, are produced in large quantities using the 1-alpha process node. These are the market’s first 24GB and 48GB memory modules, underscoring Micron’s formidable prowess in the storage domain.
According to TomsHardware, Micron, seeking to maintain its leading edge in the DRAM market, plans to mass-produce 32Gb DDR5 chips in the first half of 2024, thereby laying the groundwork for creating a capacious 1TB memory module. Although Micron has not disclosed the data transfer rate of the new DRAM chip, given its status as a third-generation DDR5 memory module, its frequency is expected to be further elevated.
The 32Gb DDR5 chips will be manufactured using Micron’s 1-beta process node, launched last year. This is the company’s most advanced semiconductor process for storage chips to date, and it is likely to be the last process not to adopt Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology. Micron has already shipped DRAM chip samples to select smartphone manufacturers and chipset partners.
Unlike many businesses in the industry, Micron has no immediate plans to adopt EUV lithography technology for the production of storage chips. Instead, it continues to utilize Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography technology, incorporating its second-generation HKMG technology on the 1-beta process node. Micron asserts that this new process node boosts energy efficiency by about 15%, and bit density by over 35%.
The 32Gb DDR5 chips will initially be deployed in memory modules for data centers, where the demand for memory capacity is most pressing. It’s understood that Micron will first offer a 128GB DDR5 memory module next year, followed by 192GB and 256GB products. Though no plans have been announced for 512GB and 1TB DDR5 memory modules, they may be offered in advance to specific clients.
