New GDDR7 Graphics Memory Standard Released by JEDEC: A Game-Changer in Graphics Tech

JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the leading organization in setting standards for the microelectronics industry, has made a significant announcement with the release of JESD239 Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR7) SGRAM. This revolutionary memory standard can now be downloaded for free from the JEDEC website. With double the bandwidth compared to GDDR6, reaching up to 192 GB/s per device, JESD239 GDDR7 is set to meet the growing demand for increased memory bandwidth in graphics, gaming, compute, networking, and AI applications.

What sets JESD239 GDDR7 apart is that it is the first JEDEC standard DRAM to utilize the Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) interface for high-frequency operations. By employing a PAM3 interface, which transmits 3 bits over 2-cycles using 3 levels (+1, 0, -1), instead of the traditional NRZ interface transmitting 2 bits over 2-cycles, it achieves higher data transmission rates per cycle and delivers improved performance. This PAM3 interface also enhances energy efficiency and improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for high-frequency operation.

Some of the advanced features of JESD239 GDDR7 include core independent LFSR training patterns with eye masking and error counters to enhance training accuracy and reduce training time. It also doubles the number of independent channels from 2 in GDDR6 to 4 in GDDR7, providing even greater performance capabilities. Additionally, JESD239 GDDR7 supports a range of densities from 16 Gbit to 32 Gbit, including support for 2-Channel mode to double system capacity. It also addresses the market need for Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) by incorporating the latest data integrity features such as on-die ECC (ODECC) with real-time reporting, data poison, Error check and Scrub, and command address parity with command blocking (CAPARBLK).

Mian Quddus, Chairman of the JEDEC Board of Directors, expressed his excitement about JESD239 GDDR7, stating that it represents a significant advancement in high-speed memory design. He believes that by adopting PAM3 Signaling, the memory industry has found a new way to enhance the performance of GDDR devices and drive the evolution of graphics and various high-performance applications.

Michael Litt, Chair of the JEDEC GDDR Subcommittee, highlighted the importance of GDDR7’s focus on both bandwidth and addressing market needs for RAS. He explained that the incorporation of the latest data integrity features allows GDDR devices to better serve existing markets like cloud gaming and compute while also expanding into new applications such as AI.

The industry has shown strong support for the GDDR7 memory standard. Joe Macri, Compute and Graphics CTO and Corporate Fellow at AMD, believes that GDDR7s have the potential to unlock a new era of transformative compute and graphics possibilities, shaping a future defined by innovation and discovery. Frank Ross, lead architect and distinguished member of technical staff at Micron’s Compute and Networking Business Unit, emphasized Micron’s history of defining graphics DRAM standards and its role in driving GDDR7 standardization activities. He believes that GDDR7, with its multi-level signaling and leading RAS functionalities, can meet future system bandwidth requirements beyond traditional graphics markets.

nVidia has also expressed excitement about the use of PAM signaling as the foundation for GDDR7. Kaustubh Sanghani, VP GPU Product Management at NVIDIA, stated that this technology enables customers to maximize the performance of their GPUs. Samsung’s YongCheol Bae, EVP and Head of Memory Product Planning, highlighted the demand for high-performance memory in AI, HPC, and high-end gaming applications. He believes that GDDR7 32 Gbps will deliver higher performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. SK hynix, represented by Sang Kwon Lee, VP of Product Planning, expressed pride in participating in the GDDR7 standard work and providing customers with high-speed and power-efficient memory.

Members can access the full GDDR7 specification on the JEDEC website. This release marks a significant milestone in the development of memory technology, paving the way for exciting advancements in graphics, gaming, AI, and other high-performance applications.

Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About nVidia: NVIDIA has firmly established itself as a leader in the realm of client computing, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in graphics and AI technologies. With a deep commitment to enhancing user experiences, NVIDIA's client computing business focuses on delivering solutions that power everything from gaming and creative workloads to enterprise applications. for its GeForce graphics cards, the company has redefined high-performance gaming, setting industry standards for realistic visuals, fluid frame rates, and immersive experiences. Complementing its gaming expertise, NVIDIA's Quadro and NVIDIA RTX graphics cards cater to professionals in design, content creation, and scientific fields, enabling real-time ray tracing and AI-driven workflows that elevate productivity and creativity to unprecedented heights. By seamlessly integrating graphics, AI, and software, NVIDIA continues to shape the landscape of client computing, fostering innovation and immersive interactions in a rapidly evolving digital world.

  

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About Samsung: Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

  

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About SK hynix: SK Hynix is a important South Korean semiconductor company known for its innovative contributions to the global technology landscape. Specializing in the production of memory solutions, SK Hynix has played a vital role in shaping the semiconductor industry. With a commitment to research and development, they have continuously pushed the boundaries of memory technology, resulting in products that power various devices and applications.

  

Technology Explained

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GDDR6: GDDR6 stands for Graphics Double Data Rate 6th generation memory. It is a high performance memory used in graphics cards and graphics processing units (GPUs), specifically targeting gaming, AI and deep learning-related applications. GDDR6 achieves higher bandwidth than previous generations, allowing faster and smoother gaming experience for users. It is also more power efficient, resulting in lower energy consumption overall. The improved power efficiency makes it adaptable to today's needs of thinner laptops and ultra-high definition gaming laptops. Additionally, GDDR6 is used in storage solutions and advanced data center applications to help streamline large amounts of data at lightning-fast speeds.

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GDDR7: GDDR7 (Graphics Double Data Rate 7) is the seventh generation of graphics double data rate (GDDR) memory. It is a type of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) that is specifically designed for use in graphics cards. GDDR7 memory offers a number of advantages over previous generations of GDDR memory. GDDR7 is a significant improvement over previous generations of GDDR memory. It offers faster speeds up to 32 gigabits per second (Gbps) per pin, lower power consumption, and improved error correction. This makes it ideal for use in high-performance graphics cards and other applications that require high bandwidth and low latency.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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HPC: HPC, or High Performance Computing, is a type of technology that allows computers to perform complex calculations and process large amounts of data at incredibly high speeds. This is achieved through the use of specialized hardware and software, such as supercomputers and parallel processing techniques. In the computer industry, HPC has a wide range of applications, from weather forecasting and scientific research to financial modeling and artificial intelligence. It enables researchers and businesses to tackle complex problems and analyze vast amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional computing methods. HPC has revolutionized the way we approach data analysis and has opened up new possibilities for innovation and discovery in various fields.

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PAM3 Signaling: PAM3 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 3 levels) signaling is a technique used in communication systems to encode digital information for transmission over a physical medium, such as electrical wires or optical fibers. It's a modulation scheme that uses three different signal levels to represent multiple bits of data within a single symbol interval. PAM3 takes advantage of three distinct voltage levels in the signal to encode more information per signal pulse. This allows for higher data transfer rates without requiring a corresponding increase in the frequency of the signal.