Graphics Double Data Rate 7 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (GDDR7 SDRAM) is a type of synchronous graphics random-access memory (SGRAM) specified by the JEDEC Semiconductor Memory Standard, with a high bandwidth, "double data rate" interface, designed for use in graphics cards, game consoles, and high-performance computing. It is a type of GDDR SDRAM (graphics DDR SDRAM), and is the successor to GDDR6.

GDDR7 SDRAM
Graphics Double Data Rate 7 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory
Type of RAM
DeveloperJEDEC
TypeSynchronous dynamic random-access memory
Generation7th generation
Release date5 March 2024
PredecessorGDDR6 SDRAM

History

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  • At Samsung Tech Day 2022, Samsung announced GDDR7 as the successor of GDDR6X, which could deliver up to 36 GT/s.[1] Samsung announced two months later that it would use PAM-3 signaling to achieve the highest transfer rate.[2]
  • On March 8, 2023, Cadence announced the verification solution tool for preliminary GDDR7 SDRAM production.[3]
  • On June 30, 2023, Micron announced that it will be manufactured using 1β node (equivalent to 12–10 nm process node), slated to release in H1 2024.[4]
  • On July 18, 2023, Samsung announced the first generation of GDDR7, which can reach up to 32 Gbps per pin (33% higher bandwidth per pin compared to 24 Gbps per pin on GDDR6), 40% higher bandwidth (1.5 TB/s) compared to GDDR6 (1.1 TB/s) and 20% more energy efficient. For packaging material, it will use epoxy molding compound (EMC) along with IC architecture optimization, which will reduce thermal resistance by 70%.[5] Later, on a Q&A session, Samsung mentioned that it will be manufactured using D1z node (equivalent to 15–14 nm[6]) and will operate on 1.2V. A 1.1V version with reduced clockspeeds will also be made available at some point in to the future after the release of the 1.2V version.[7]
  • On March 5, 2024, JEDEC published the GDDR7 Graphics Memory formal standard and specifications.[8]

Technologies

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GDDR7 SDRAM employs PAM-3 signaling (three-level pulse-amplitude modulation) rather than NRZ. PAM-3 is 20% more energy-efficient than NRZ while running at a higher bandwidth. Manufacturing equipment will be less costly than PAM-4. PAM-3 processes 1.58 bits per cycle, while NRZ processes only 1 bit per cycle.[9]

GDDR7 adds on-die error correction code, error checking and scrubbing features for chip reliability, mainly useful for compute/AI use cases.[10]

Initial data rates are at 32 Gbps/pin, while memory manufacturers have noted that rates up to 36 Gbps/pin are readily attainable. The standard has future bandwidth up to 48 Gbps/pin,[11] and chip capacities up to 64 Gbit - compared to GDDR6X's 16 Gbit.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Samsung announces 36 Gbps GDDR7 memory standard, aims to release V-NAND storage solutions with 1000 layers by 2030". Notebookcheck. 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ Discuss, btarunr (2022-12-05). "Samsung Reveals GDDR7 Memory Uses PAM3 Signalling to Achieve 36 Gbps Data-Rate". TechPowerUp. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  3. ^ "Cadence announces first GDDR7 verification solution". VideoCardz.com. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  4. ^ "Micron could introduce GDDR7 memory chips in early 2024". TechSpot. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  5. ^ "Samsung develops industry's first GDDR7 DRAM with 1.5 TBps bandwidth". Notebookcheck. 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  6. ^ Memory Technology 2021: Trends & Challenges (PDF), 2021, retrieved 2023-07-31
  7. ^ Smith, Ryan. "Samsung Completes Initial GDDR7 Development: First Parts to Reach Up to 32Gbps/pin". www.anandtech.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  8. ^ "JEDEC Publishes GDDR7 Graphics Memory Standard | JEDEC". www.jedec.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  9. ^ Anton Shilov (2023-07-19). "GDDR7 Arrives: Samsung Outs World's First Chip, 32 GT/s for Next-Gen GPUs". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  10. ^ a b Shilov, Anton. "Micron's GDDR7 Chip Smiles for the Camera as Micron Aims to Seize Larger Share of HBM Market". www.anandtech.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  11. ^ Smith, Anton Shilov, Ryan. "JEDEC Publishes GDDR7 Memory Spec: Next-Gen Graphics Memory Adds Faster PAM3 Signaling & On-Die ECC". www.anandtech.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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