SK Hynix lists GDDR6 memory as available

SK Hynix's Q1 2018 Databook is listing the availability status of GDDR6 memory as 'Now'. This could mean that we will soon start seeing mainstream adoption of the new memory standard in GPUs and other hardware involved in high-performance computation. The Databook lists the availability of an 8 GB module comprising of 32 modules of 256 MB each. There are two part numbers available — one having pin speeds of 10 and 12 Gbps and the other having pin speeds of 12 and 14 Gbps — lesser than the 18 Gbps chips that Samsung has already started to mass produce. The availability of GDDR6 memory from SK Hynix seems to have been pushed by a quarter as the earlier Databook listed the availability during Q4 2017.

The GDDR6 memory is based on the FCBGA (180ball) packaging, unchanged from GDDR5X. Unlike the GDDR5X memory, GDDR6 is a dual-channel architecture but sports the same external voltage. SK Hynix's part numbers show that there will be both 1.25V and 1.35V variants available. The low voltage and high bandwidth of the new memory architecture should enable greater graphics performance and should also greatly benefit miners should they buy GPUs equipped with GDDR6. 

While we are aware of NVIDIA's plans to use Samsung's 18 Gbps GDDR6 implementation in its upcoming Volta GPUs, it is not yet known which OEMs would be implementing SK Hynix's variant. Apart from Samsung and SK Hynix, Micron is another OEM, which is looking to accelerate GDDR6 production this year. Nevertheless, it is good to see that GDDR6 is finally making its entry in 2018 after a much delayed start. 

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