Micron GDDR7 Memory
Consider requiring players to experience lag or lower frame rates while playing. Think about advising content makers using cutting-edge AI tools to anticipate slower production periods, or advising data scientists to wait a few more hours for their computations to provide findings. For those who depend on speed and efficiency when using digital tools, having to wait longer or put up with numerous disruptions while their programmes load is definitely not ideal.
Micron’s modern world moves quickly, so graphics memory performance needs to keep up with the demands of ever-increasing applications, ranging from generative AI and high-performance computing (HPC) to gaming and visualisation.
For a few generations, the high performance demands of these workloads were met by GDDR6 (graphics double data rate 6) memory, with performance scaling reaching up to 20 Gb/s. However, when application demands increased over time, 20 Gb/s became insufficient. Furthermore, the technological and financial viability of further advancements with GDDR6 did not add up, with clock speeds on GDDR6 currently operating at maximum speed and going towards 100s of picoseconds one million times quicker than a human blink.
It would be impossible for Micron to advise their friends who enjoy gaming to give up on an immersive, colourful gaming experience where every frame renders seamlessly and every detail comes to life. To achieve even improved user experience, Micron need a breakthrough in graphics memory. Presenting Micron GDDR7, the upcoming generation of graphics memory.
With the latest generative AI tools, complex 3D models, and high-resolution video, content makers can work seamlessly and continuously thanks to Micron GDDR7, a revolution in graphics memory. Players can enjoy excellent gameplay and stunning graphics. Additionally, tech workers with complicated data processing needs, like data scientists, can rely on short turnaround times to get insights and make choices.
Discover a performance revolution with GDDR7
Based on Micron’s dominant 1β (1-beta) node, Micron GDDR7 is the next generation of GDDR memory designed to improve graphics and gaming performance for users. Micron GDDR7 eliminates frustrating bottlenecks and provides the foundation and versatility to conquer increasingly complex problems for a wide range of applications, from virtual reality to HPC simulations in scientific research. Its initial memory performance enables data rates of 32 Gb/s and up to 1.5 TB/s of system bandwidth (60% higher than GDDR6). In addition to this outstanding performance, power efficiency has significantly improved, allowing systems to run consistently fast and cool.
Micron may be wondering if clock speeds are at their maximum already. Given that Micron is unable to increase the graphics memory clock speed, how does Micron GDDR7 manage to achieve such remarkable performance? Multilevel signalling, the cutting-edge technology behind Micron GDDR7, enables higher frames per second, shorter processing times, and higher throughput.
Micron’s groundbreaking work in integrating PAM4 (pulse-amplitude modulation with four signals) on GDDR6X laid the groundwork for the DRAM industry, which was able to further grow the next generation of GDDR by further investigating multilevel signalling approaches. PAM3 signalling, or three signals, is a technology that enables greater data transmission rates, enhancing memory bandwidth and system performance. Micron GDDR7 is the first DRAM product to use this approach.
GDDR7 PAM3
The industry overcame clock speed limitations by employing PAM3 on Micron GDDR7, which transfers extra data every cycle. PAM3 uses three different voltage levels -1, 0 and +1 to encode 1.5 times more information per signal cycle than non-return-to-zero (NRZ) technology on GDDR6. PAM3 offers a lower encoder complexity and permits a 50% larger voltage margin, although transferring fewer bits per cycle (than PAM4 on GDDR6X). These benefits lessen the requirement for the memory bus to operate at higher frequencies, which in turn lessens the signal loss that results. The result is a potent technology that offers a significant boost in performance as well as the potential to expand GDDR performance even more in the future.
Expand the functionality of GDDR7 applications
The demand for high-performance memory for specially designed devices will only increase as generative AI shifts more tasks to edge devices and game graphics become more lifelike. With its enhanced features for reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) that improve data integrity and device reliability, Micron GDDR7 is not just used in gaming but also in a wider range of applications including edge AI inference and HPC.
PLAYING GAMING
Computer, tablet, and gaming system. More than 30% more frames per second (FPS) for ray tracing and rasterization workloads are anticipated with Micron GDDR7.
GENERATIVE AI
Large language models (LLMs), machine learning, and AI inference. It is anticipated that GDDR7’s high system bandwidth (>1.5 TB/s) will enable generative AI text to image synthesis to respond to input requests up to 20% faster.
HPC
CAD design, animation, financial modelling, 3D modelling, and HPC simulations. For multimedia producers working on complicated workloads requiring ultra-fast data rates and high system bandwidth, shorter production times and seamless multitasking.
What does GDDR7 hold next?
Micron is actively developing a broad portfolio of GDDR7 devices with expanded capacity, improved performance, and reduced power consumption. The initial iteration of the Micron GDDR7 specification has a capacity of 16 Gb with data transfer rates up to 32 Gb/s.
GDDR7 Speed
Additionally, Micron has characterised the first 40 Gb/s PAM3 data eye in the industry. The fact that multilevel signalling implemented on DRAM can successfully exhibit a 40 Gb/s data eye capacity indicates that PAM3 signalling for Micron GDDR7 was the right decision, allowing the industry to keep pushing graphics performance to ever-higher speeds. Micron will remain the leader in graphics memory advancement even under the most taxing workloads.
