Micron: Mass Production of 16 Gb DDR4 & LPDDR4X Chips Using 1z nm Technology
by Anton Shilov on August 16, 2019 1:30 PM EST
Micron announced on Thursday that it had started volume production of memory chips using its 3rd Generation 10 nm-class fabrication technology (also known as 1Z nm). The first DRAMs to be made using Micron’s 1Z nm process are 16 Gb monolithic DDR4-3200 and LPDDR4X devices, with Micron expected to broaden their portfolio over time.
Micron’s 3rd Generation 10 nm-class (1Z nm) manufacturing process for DRAM will allow the company to increase the bit density, enhance the performance, and the lower power consumption of its DRAM chips as compared to its 2nd Generation 10 nm-class (1Y nm) technology. In particular, the company says that its 16 Gb DDR4 device consumes 40% less power than two 8 Gb DDR4 DRAMs (presumably at the same clocks). Meanwhile, Micron’s 16 Gb LPDDR4X ICs will bring an up to 10% power saving. Because of the higher bit density that the new 1Z nm technology provides, it will be cheaper for Micron to produce high-capacity (e.g., 16 Gb) memory chips for lower-cost, high-capacity memory sub-systems.
The manufacturer did not disclose the speed bins of its 16 Gb DDR4 DRAMs, but expect Micron to be in the official JEDEC ranges. One of the first products to use the company’s 16 Gb DDR4 devices will be high-capacity (e.g., 32 GB and higher) memory modules for desktops, notebooks, and workstations.
As for mobile memory, Micron’s 16 Gb LPDDR4X chips are rated for transfer rates up to 4266 MT/s. Furthermore, along with offering LPDDR4X DRAM packages with up to 16 GB (8x16Gb) of LPDDR4X for high-end smartphones, Micron will offer UFS-based multichip packages (uMCP4) that integrate NAND for storage and DRAM. The company’s uMCP4 family of products aimed at mainstream handsets will include offerings ranging from 64GB+3GB to 256GB+8GB (NAND+DRAM).
Micron did not disclose where it's producing its monolithic 16 Gb DDR4 and LPDDR4X chips using its 1Z nm technology. Typically, the company kicks off volume production using its latest fabrication processes at its plant in Hiroshima, Japan. Meanwhile, there's also been some speculation among analysts that the company is looking forward to running 1Z production lines this year at its Micron Memory Taiwan (former Rexchip Semiconductor) fab near Taichung, Taiwan.
Related Reading:
- Micron’s DRAM Update: More Capacity, Four More 10nm-Class Nodes, EUV, 64 GB DIMMs
- Micron Kicks Off Mass Production of 12 Gb LPDDR4X DRAM Chips
- Crucial 32 GB DDR4 Modules Found in an ASRock System
- ADATA Demonstrates 32 GB DDR4 Modules, Built on Micron 16 Gb
Source: Micron
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PeachNCream - Friday, August 16, 2019 - link
The problem with allowing companies like Micron to use more advanced technologies is that with more DRAM per DIMM, this will create an oversupply situation and push costs downward. Companies like G.Skill and Corsair won't get as much profit per unit and will have to more heavily reply on things like water cooled + RGB modules in order to maintain an acceptable profit margin for all of those struggling C-Level leaders so they can scrape by with modest, multi-million dollar annual bonuses and golden parachutes. This is an unacceptable situation that requires heavy-handed regulatory involvement from national governments to fix. They need to FORCE companies to stop doing R&D right now!Adramtech - Friday, August 16, 2019 - link
Do you want more expensive DRAM? If these companies don’t push the next node to reduce cost they go bankrupt. If that happens to Micron Technology, then S. Korea has a duopoly and prices will rise.yuhong - Friday, August 16, 2019 - link
Personally, I agree that 8Gbit DDR4 shrinks are not that interesting though, compared to 16Gbit DDR4.Papaspud - Friday, August 16, 2019 - link
Did you hear the whoosh as his comment went over your head?PeachNCream - Friday, August 16, 2019 - link
There is always someone that misses comments like these which is mainly why I make them.Adramtech - Saturday, August 17, 2019 - link
Forced r&d reduction is ludicrousPeachNCream - Saturday, August 17, 2019 - link
I agree. That's why I put it in my comment to give people that have a clue that they shouldn't take me seriously. But don't worry, there's someone a few comments down named eddman that also didn't get it.eddman - Saturday, August 17, 2019 - link
I don't regularly read the comments, so I have no idea who you are. There are a lot of morons that write exactly like you, and if your comment can be mistaken for one of those, then perhaps you aren't as clever as you think you are.Ashinjuka - Sunday, August 18, 2019 - link
+1This type of "lol jk" trolling adds nothing to discussion and overall makes the room dumber.
PeachNCream - Monday, August 19, 2019 - link
You are welcome to be offended and upset. Its to be expected that out of any group of people there will be humorless sorts that want things to be a certain way and it grinds their gears when the world does not adhere to their expectations.