DDR6 Memory Development Moves Ahead, Aiming for High Speeds Up to 17,600 MT/s
The work on the next-gen DDR6 memory is speeding up. While it will take some time to be common, the big need from the high-power computing and AI areas is making top DRAM firms and system owners speed up their efforts on this new tech.
Plan and Teamwork in the Industry
After the DDR6 plans are set by JEDEC in 2024, big names like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are putting more into their work. System leaders like Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA are also working tight with these DRAM teams. The planned timeline shows that system tests will end by 2026, with the first server uses coming in 2027.
What to Expect: Performance and Tech Details
DDR6 aims to be a big jump up in how fast it works from the old one. It starts at 8800 MT/s, an 83% rise from DDR5's 4800 MT/s starting rate. It also brings a new design for channels.
- Base Speed: 8800 MT/s
- Top Speed: Up to 17,600 MT/s
- Design: A new 4x24-bit channel setup (compared to DDR5's 2x32-bit).
Memory Standard Changes
| Memory Name | Speeds (MT/s) | When to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| DDR6 | 8800 - 17600 | 2027 |
A New Kind of Slot: CAMM2 on the Rise
To keep the signals clear and manage the big data flow of DDR6, a new slot design will be needed. The CAMM2 form factor is seen as a key fix for this. While CAMM2 has been slow to catch on, the tech needs of DDR6 might push it into more common use.
When and How It Will Be Used, and Price Hopes
The first to use DDR6 will be HPC and AI, which need very fast memory. For everyday buyers, the start will likely look like DDR5's, needing a few years for things to settle and for many to start using it. It is also said that some top-end laptops might use next-gen memory, possibly LPDDR6, not just DDR6. Like before, DDR6 will likely cost more in its first years.
