SK hynix will not be able to independently release HBM4 memory

It is generally accepted that less expensive lithography technologies are generally used to produce memory chips, but modern memory is becoming more complex in its layout, and therefore advanced lithography is in demand when producing it. SK hynix intends to engage TSMC to produce HBM4 stacks using the 3nm process from the second half of 2025.

Image Source: SK Hynix

This was reported by The Korea Economic Daily, citing informed sources. An advanced manufacturing process will be required to produce the base die for custom HBM4s, which will be produced specifically for Nvidia. The logic is located in the base crystal and a vertical stack is formed on its basis. Initially, SK hynix expected to produce this crystal using 5nm technology, but during negotiations with TSMC and large clients of both companies, it was decided to use a more advanced 3nm process technology for these purposes. The Korean supplier hopes to begin shipping HBM4 memory for Nvidia’s needs in the second half of 2025.

A prototype HBM4 chip based on a 3nm base is expected to be demonstrated by SK hynix in March next year. The GPUs Nvidia currently receives from TSMC are manufactured using 4nm technology. According to some estimates, transferring the base HBM4 chip to 3nm production technology will improve memory performance by 20–30% relative to the 5nm version. SK hynix controls approximately half of the global HBM market, and supplies the bulk of its products of this type to Nvidia. Rival Samsung cannot certify its HBM3E for use in Nvidia products, and it is also going to use only 4-nm base crystals in the production of HBM4. Memory type HBM4 already belongs to the sixth generation of these chips.

In turn, the base crystals for the standard HBM4 and HBM4E stacks, which will be received by all other SK hynix clients except Nvidia, will be produced using a 12-nm process technology, also by TSMC. The Korean company produces base crystals for HBM3E independently, but in light of the transition to HBM4, it decided to deepen cooperation with TSMC in this area. It is alleged that at the request of Nvidia, SK hynix has accelerated the development and preparation process for mass production of HBM4 chips. Previously, it was going to launch HBM4 production at the beginning of 2026, and now it is ready to do this about six months earlier. Meanwhile, Tesla is also interested in HBM4 memory; it is currently choosing between products from SK hynix and Samsung Electronics.