Memory advancements are always a big talking point for new graphics cards, and GDDR7 is poised to set a new benchmark. Expected to deliver speeds up to 40 gigatransfers per second—roughly double the performance of current GDDR6X memory—GDDR7 will start mass production in the third quarter of 2024, according to SK Hynix.
Previously, industry experts anticipated that GDDR7 might not be available until early 2025, aligning with the expected release of Nvidia’s RTX 5000 series GPUs. However, with large-scale production starting earlier, next-gen GPUs could hit the market sooner than expected.
While memory is crucial, the overall performance of future graphics cards will depend on several factors, including processor fabrication. The increased memory availability could help mitigate the usual supply issues that accompany high-demand GPU launches, especially given the surge in AI-driven applications consuming vast amounts of GPU power.
SK Hynix, along with Micron and Samsung, has showcased GDDR7 samples this year. With the fastest chips running at 32Gbps and 16GB modules, the new memory promises a significant upgrade from the current GDDR6X chips used in the RTX 4090, which operate at 21Gbps with 2GB modules.
As for detailed specs of the next-gen GPUs from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, we’ll have to wait. But if the new GDDR7 memory is any indication, the forthcoming graphics cards are set to deliver extraordinary performance.
