Micron is accelerating the release of GDDR6 graphics memory to meet demand

Memory and semiconductor maker Micron Technology, Inc. is bumping up the release date for GDDR6 graphics memory so that it is now scheduled for the end of this year. GDDR6 memory will replace the current GDDR5X found in today’s GPUs and is said to be “significantly faster” than its predecessor, transferring data at 16Gbps. This is twice the speed of GDDR5, which is currently found in the majority of today’s GPUs, and around 30% faster than GDDR5X.

Among the reasons cited for the schedule change are high demand for improved performance on PC and console users as upcoming popular video game titles, along with VR, require more powerful hardware. More people are upgrading their gaming PCs more frequently now, upgrading every three years instead of the previous five-year cycle.

The growing popularity of esports is also playing a role in Micron’s decision. Tom Eby, VP of Computing & Network Business at Micron, said that in time, esports championship viewership will eclipse that of almost any other professional championship in North America.

GDDR5X will be continued to be used as a low-end graphics replacement for GDDR5. At this time it is unknown exactly when GPUs with GDDR6 will hit the market.

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