Samsung Reportedly Overhauls 1c DRAM Process for Better Yields, Influencing HBM4 Development

Samsung is reportedly gearing up to revamp its sixth-generation 1c DRAM, aiming to boost yield rates and outdo its anticipated HBM4 process.

Revitalizing 1c DRAM: A Pivotal Move for Samsung’s HBM4 Ventures and Memory Business Success

The well-known Korean tech leader is now reconsidering its approach to the 1c DRAM process, a crucial player in ensuring the success of its HBM4 process. As highlighted by ZDNet Korea, Samsung has been intensely reviewing its avant-garde DRAM designs since the second half of 2024. The firm is now reworking its high-end 1c DRAM to guarantee that its upcoming HBM technology gains industry acceptance—a stark contrast to the HBM3 models which hit significant hurdles in adoption, even from tech giants like NVIDIA.

According to the report, the cutting-edge DRAM process didn’t hit the desired yield rates, reportedly set at about 60%-70%, which prevented Samsung from pushing it into mass production. The main challenge seemed to arise from the size of the 1c DRAM chip. Initially, Samsung’s strategy zeroed in on shrinking the chip size to ramp up production volume. However, this led to a compromise in process stability, consequently causing a dip in yield rates.

Samsung Electronics has altered the design of its 1c DRAM by increasing the chip size, directing their efforts towards enhancing yield rates, with improvements expected by mid-year. The company seems committed to achieving stable mass production of next-gen memory, even if it entails higher costs.
– ZDNet Korea

The 1c DRAM process is integral to the future success of Samsung’s HBM4 products. With competitors such as SK Hynix and Micron having fine-tuned their processes, time is not on Samsung’s side. The pressure mounts, especially due to the company’s tarnished industry reputation after the HBM3 debacle, making it vital for Samsung to ensure its 1c DRAM meets industry benchmarks.

While there’s no certainty about the outcome of Samsung’s sixth-generation DRAM process just yet, sources suggest that developments might surface in the coming months. This could potentially steer Samsung’s HBM4 process towards mass production readiness, anticipated by the year’s end.