Samsung Unveils 24Gb GDDR7 DRAM: 42.5Gbps Speed

Samsung has introduced the industry's first 24Gb (3GB) GDDR7 DRAM chip, delivering ultra-fast speeds of up to 42.5Gbps to support the next generation of GPUs. The company claims that, thanks to various improvements, the new chip offers 50% higher density and 30% better efficiency compared to its predecessor. Currently undergoing validation with leading GPU manufacturers, these 24Gb GDDR7 modules are expected to enter mass production in early 2025.

In July 2023, Samsung launched the world’s first GDDR7 memory with a rated speed of 32Gbps and a 16Gb (2GB) capacity per module. The new 24Gb GDDR7 modules offer 25% higher bandwidth than the previously released GDDR7 modules and 2.36 times the speed of the earlier 18Gbps GDDR6 products. Manufactured using Samsung’s advanced 10nm fifth-generation process, the new memory achieves a 50% increase in density while maintaining the same packaging size.

To reach these groundbreaking speeds, Samsung employs PAM3 signaling technology, which uses three signal levels (-1, 0, +1) to transmit data. While the modules can easily reach 40Gbps, under certain conditions they can achieve speeds up to 42.5Gbps—nearly 80% faster than GDDR6X, which offers 24Gbps.

Samsung's new GDDR7 memory also delivers 30% greater efficiency compared to the previous generation, thanks to innovative features like clock management control and a dual voltage (VDD) design. Additionally, power-gating techniques help reduce power leakage by shutting down inactive parts of the chip.

The previous generation of GDDR6/X memory featured 16Gb (2GB) modules, while Samsung's GDDR7 now offers a 1.5x increase in memory capacity per module. This advancement is expected to enhance the VRAM capacity for next-generation GPUs. Here's a breakdown of expected VRAM and bandwidth for GPUs using 42.5Gbps 24Gb (3GB) modules across different bus widths:

128-bit: 12GB VRAM, 680GB/s

192-bit: 18GB VRAM, 1020GB/s

256-bit: 24GB VRAM, 1360GB/s

320-bit: 30GB VRAM, 1700GB/s

512-bit: 48GB VRAM, 2720GB/s

This is great news for gamers, as the previous generation of GPUs was often limited by insufficient VRAM. Nowadays, even 1080p gaming requires more than 8GB of memory, so it's hoped that manufacturers will offer generous VRAM capacities in their upcoming models. However, entry-level GPUs are likely to continue using cost-effective 16Gb GDDR6 modules.