SK Hynix Secures Initial HBM3 Supply, Samsung Speeds Up Post AMD Validation

HBM3 is currently the primary focus of the memory technology market, with NVIDIA expected to incorporate HBM3e in their upcoming B100 and H200 models, while Samsung gains market share over the same period. Samsung has entered NVIDIA's supply chain and received certification for its HBM3 products, solidifying its position as a crucial supplier to AMD.

HBM3 is currently the primary focus of the market, indicating its potential for growth and development.
NVIDIA, one of the biggest players in the industry, is set to incorporate advanced HBM3e in their upcoming models, showing its credibility and potential for success.
Samsung's entry into NVIDIA's supply chain and their HBM3 products receiving AMD MI300 series certification solidifies their position as a crucial supplier and opens the doors for increased production and market share.

In the ever-evolving world of memory technology, HBM3 is currently taking center stage. According to TrendForce, a leading market research firm, HBM3 is the primary focus of the market as we enter 2024. And nVidia, one of the biggest players in the industry, is set to incorporate advanced HBM3E in their upcoming B100 and H200 models, marking a significant leap forward.

However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed. The supply bottleneck caused by CoWoS packaging constraints, coupled with the lengthy production cycle of HBM, has extended the timeline for bringing the final product to market. This has led to a shortage in the supply of HBM3 for NVIDIA’s H100 solution, which is mainly met by SK hynix. As a result, there is a growing demand-supply gap in the booming AI market.

But there is hope on the horizon. Samsung, a major player in the industry, made its entry into NVIDIA’s supply chain in late 2023 with its 1Znm HBM3 products. While this may have seemed insignificant at first, it marked a breakthrough for Samsung in this segment. Furthermore, Samsung’s HBM3 products received AMD MI300 series certification by the first quarter of 2024, solidifying its position as a crucial supplier to AMD. This achievement opens the doors for Samsung to increase its distribution of HBM3 production starting from 1Q24.

It’s worth noting that Micron has not yet entered the HBM supply market, leaving SK hynix and Samsung as the key players. However, with Samsung’s strong foothold and AMD’s increasing distribution of the MI300 series, Samsung is expected to rapidly gain market share over the coming quarters.

Looking ahead to 2024, the market’s focus will shift from HBM3 to HBM3e. TrendForce predicts a gradual increase in production throughout the second half of the year, positioning HBM3e as the new mainstream in the HBM market. SK hynix took the lead with its HBM3e validation in the first quarter, closely followed by Micron, who plans to start distributing their HBM3e products towards the end of the quarter. This timeline aligns with NVIDIA’s planned deployment of the H200 model by the end of the second quarter.

Samsung, although slightly behind in sample submissions, is expected to complete its HBM3e validation by the end of the first quarter, with shipments rolling out in the second quarter. With Samsung already making significant progress in HBM3 and their HBM3e validation nearing completion, they are poised to close the market share gap with SK hynix by the end of the year. This will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape in the HBM market and pave the way for exciting advancements in memory technology.

About Our Team

Our team comprises industry insiders with extensive experience in computers, semiconductors, games, and consumer electronics. With decades of collective experience, we’re committed to delivering timely, accurate, and engaging news content to our readers.

Background Information

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.

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.

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.

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

HBM3E: HBM3E is the latest generation of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a type of DRAM that is designed for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. HBM3E offers faster data transfer rates, higher density, and lower power consumption than previous HBM versions. HBM3E is developed by SK Hynix, a South Korean chipmaker, and is expected to enter mass production in 2024. HBM3E can achieve a speed of 1.15 TB/s and a capacity of 64 GB per stack. HBM3E is suitable for AI systems that require large amounts of data processing, such as deep learning, machine learning, and computer vision.