SK hynix Completes Customer Validation of CXL 2.0-based DDR5

Rhea-AI Summary

SK hynix has successfully completed customer validation of its 96GB CMM-DDR5, a DRAM solution based on CXL 2.0 technology. The product demonstrates a 50% increase in capacity and 30% improvement in bandwidth compared to previous DDR5 modules, processing at 36GB/s when applied to server systems.

The company is also validating a 128GB product featuring 32Gb DDR5 DRAM using 1bnm process technology, aimed at delivering enhanced performance per watt. Additionally, SK hynix has integrated its HMSDK software with Linux to optimize CMM-DDR5 performance and expand the CXL ecosystem.

Positive

• Completed validation of 96GB CMM-DDR5 with 50% capacity increase and 30% bandwidth improvement
• Advanced 128GB product in validation process using cutting-edge 1bnm technology
• Successfully integrated HMSDK software with Linux for enhanced system performance
• Product innovation expected to reduce data center total cost of ownership

Negative

• 128GB product validation still pending completion

• Completion of customer qualification of 96GB product to help customers reduce costs when applied to server systems
• 128GB product of improved performance, equipped with 1bnm 32Gb DDR5, also in customer validation process
• Company to provide value unmatched by others through "Optimal Innovation"

SEOUL, South Korea, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has completed customer validation of 96GB CMM(CXL^[1] Memory Module)-DDR5, a DRAM solution product based on CXL 2.0.

1 Compute eXpress Link (CXL): A next-generation interface that efficiently connects CPU, GPU, memory, and other components in high-performance computing systems to support massive, ultra-fast computation. Based on PCIe interface, CXL allows fast data transfer and has pooling capability to efficiently utilize memory

The company said that it can process 36GB/s due to a 50% increase in capacity when the product is applied to the server systems and a 30% improvement in the bandwidth compared to previous DDR5 modules. This can contribute to drastically reducing the total cost of ownership^[2] by customers in building and operating data centers.

2 Total cost of ownership: Total cost of owning a product or service, from purchase to disposal. It also includes costs for deployment, maintenance, operations and upgrades

Following the 96GB product validation, the company is proceeding with the validation process for 128GB product with another customer. This product, equipped with 32Gb DDR5 DRAM using the 1bnm process, or the fifth-generation of the 10-nanometer technology, has high performance per watt^[3]. The company plans to complete the ongoing 128GB validation as soon as possible to establish a CXL product portfolio to support customers in a timely manner.

3 Performance per watt: Indicator of data capacity per second that can be processed per unit of power

SK hynix is making efforts to expand the CXL ecosystem along with the development of CXL DRAM. The company developed HMSDK^[4], software optimized for CMM-DDR5 and integrated it on Linux, the world's largest open-source operating system, in September, improving the performance of CXL applied systems.

4 Heterogeneous Memory S/W Development Kit (HMSDK): SK hynix's unique development kit for heterogeneous memory software. It improves performance by expanding bandwidth through efficient crossbar array and rearranging data with appropriate memory device in accordance with data use frequency.

"We are developing various solution products to fulfill Optimal Innovation^[5] in order to overcome the limitation of high cost and scalability of the existing system," said Uksong Kang, Head of Next Gen PP&E. "We will provide optimized value to customers by dramatically improving the scalability and the flexibility of memory while meeting customers' different needs."   

5 Optimal Innovation: One of the product orientations unveiled by SK hynix at the SK AI Summit 2024, meaning product innovation optimized for AI era systems such as CXL and PIM

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM") and flash memory chips ("NAND flash") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

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SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

FAQ

What performance improvements does SK hynix's new 96GB CMM-DDR5 offer compared to previous DDR5 modules?

The new 96GB CMM-DDR5 offers 50% increased capacity and 30% improved bandwidth, processing at 36GB/s in server systems.

How will SK hynix's CXL 2.0-based DDR5 impact data center costs?

The technology is expected to drastically reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers in building and operating data centers through improved capacity and bandwidth.

What specifications does SK hynix's upcoming 128GB CMM-DDR5 product feature?

The 128GB product uses 32Gb DDR5 DRAM with 1bnm process technology (fifth-generation 10-nanometer) and is designed for high performance per watt.

What software developments has SK hynix made to support its CXL memory products?

SK hynix developed HMSDK, a software optimized for CMM-DDR5, and integrated it with Linux to improve CXL system performance.