Samsung Set to Redesign 1c DRAM Process for Better Yield Rates; Will Influence HBM4 Development

Reports suggest that Samsung is gearing up for a makeover of its 6th-generation 1c DRAM, aiming to boost yield rates and set the stage for its forthcoming HBM4 technology.

The Significance of Samsung’s 1c DRAM in Advancing HBM4 and Boosting Its Memory Business

Samsung seems to be strategizing a transformation of its 1c DRAM process, which is considered crucial for the successful rollout of its HBM4 technology. As mentioned by ZDNet Korea, since the second half of 2024, Samsung has been meticulously examining designs for its advanced DRAM technologies. The firm has now revamped its high-end 1c DRAM, aiming to ensure that its upcoming HBM lineup meets industry expectations—a hurdle faced by HBM3 derivatives, which struggled to secure integration with major players like NVIDIA.

The report highlights that Samsung’s state-of-the-art DRAM process fell short of achieving the desired yield rates, which reportedly hovered around 60%-70%. This shortfall prevented the Korean company from moving forward with mass production. The problem appears to stem from the size of the 1c DRAM chip. Initially, Samsung aimed to minimize the chip size to boost output, but this led to a trade-off with process stability, causing lower yield rates.

"Samsung Electronics has modified the design of its 1c DRAM to enlarge the chip and is concentrating on enhancing yield rates, targeting the middle of this year. It seems they are prioritizing stable mass production of next-generation memory, even if it entails higher costs."
— ZDNet Korea

The success of Samsung’s 1c DRAM process is vital to the performance of its HBM4 offerings. With competitors like SK Hynix and Micron having already fine-tuned their designs, Samsung finds itself in a race against time. Especially after the setbacks with its HBM3 chips, Samsung’s reputation hinges on the successful standardization of its 1c DRAM process to meet industry norms.

Currently, the fate of Samsung’s 6th-generation DRAM process remains uncertain. However, insiders suggest that we might witness progress in the coming months, potentially setting Samsung’s HBM4 process on course for mass production, anticipated by year-end.