Samsung Reportedly Overhauls 1c DRAM Process to Boost Yields, Influencing HBM4 Development

Samsung is reportedly gearing up to overhaul its 6th-generation 1c DRAM in a move aimed at boosting yield rates and gaining a competitive edge over its forthcoming HBM4 process.

Importance of Samsung’s 1c DRAM in the HBM4 Process and Memory Business Success

The Korean tech behemoth is considering a redesign of its 1c DRAM process—deemed pivotal for the triumph of its HBM4 technology. As reported by ZDNet Korea, Samsung has been evaluating various designs for its ambitious DRAM processes since the second half of 2024. This redesign of their advanced 1c DRAM aims to ensure that their next-gen HBM processes achieve widespread adoption in the industry, and avoid the roadblocks faced by the HBM3 derivatives, which struggled to secure integration with big players like NVIDIA.

The report reveals that Samsung’s cutting-edge DRAM process didn’t hit the expected yield rates—hovering around 60%-70%—thus delaying the transition to mass production. The primary challenge appears to be the diminutive size of the 1c DRAM chip, which initially led Samsung to focus on shrinking the chip size for higher production volumes. However, this approach came at the cost of process stability, resulting in diminished yield rates.

"Samsung Electronics has changed the design of its 1c DRAM to increase its chip size and is focusing on improving yields, targeting the middle of this year. It appears that they are focused on stable mass production of next-generation memory even if it costs more."

• ZDNet Korea

The role of Samsung’s 1c DRAM process is crucial in shaping the company’s HBM4 products. With rivals like SK Hynix and Micron having already fine-tuned their designs, Samsung finds itself racing against time. Given the brand’s history with the problematic HBM3 rollout, it’s imperative for them to meet industry standards with their 1c DRAM process this time around.

There remains some ambiguity about the trajectory of Samsung’s 6th-generation DRAM process. Nonetheless, reports suggest that developments in the coming months could potentially align Samsung’s HBM4 process for mass production by year’s end.