SK hynix will accelerate production of a new generation of HBM memory chips for AI applications after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang asked the South Korean chip supplier about the possibility of starting to ship samples of the new memory six months earlier than originally planned. The decision indicates continued global demand for advanced semiconductors, Bloomberg writes.
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Huang raised the issue of future high-performance memory HBM4 during a meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, as the South Korean businessman himself announced on the sidelines of the SK AI AI technology summit on Monday, the newspaper writes. Chey believes Huang has succeeded as a leader in part because of his emphasis on bringing new solutions to market quickly.
SK hynix previously announced that it is on schedule and plans to begin shipping HBM4 memory to its customers in the second half of 2025. She once again confirmed these plans as part of the financial report in October. The South Korean company is a key supplier of HBM memory chips, which are used in Nvidia’s dedicated AI accelerators.
According to Bloomberg, the fate of HBM4 memory supplies in 2025 depends on whether the South Korean chip manufacturer can complete Nvidia’s complex chip qualification process in time. However, according to a top manager at SK Group, “both sides are on the same page” regarding the HBM4 release schedule. At the same time, Nvidia itself is reportedly unable to meet the demand for a sufficient number of AI chips. Both companies are working to address the ongoing supply shortage, Chey said.
SK hynix on Monday also revealed some additional details about its future product roadmap. The chipmaker plans to release 16-layer HBM3E memory chips in early 2025, and also release HBM5 and HBM5E chips in 2028-2030. Last month, the company reported record quarterly revenue and said it plans to begin shipping its most advanced 12-layer memory chips to date, the HBM3E, in the fourth quarter of this year.
Samsung Electronics, which is struggling to catch up with SK hynix in the AI chip manufacturing segment, said it plans to mass produce HBM4 memory chips in the second half of next year. Samsung is counting on its HBM4 products to help it compete with SK hynix in supplying Nvidia.