Samsung to Redesign 1c DRAM Process for Better Yield Rates; Impact on HBM4 Outcome Still Undecided

Samsung is reportedly planning to give its 6th-generation 1c DRAM a makeover in hopes of boosting yield rates and staying ahead as they prepare for the forthcoming HBM4 production phase.

The 1c DRAM chip is seen as pivotal for Samsung’s HBM4 efforts and could determine the future success of their memory business. According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung has been tinkering with their latest DRAM designs since the latter part of 2024. A redesign of the high-end 1c DRAM is expected to facilitate smoother integration of their upcoming HBM technologies, aiming to avoid the stumbling blocks faced by HBM3 derivatives—like those that halted integration with big players like NVIDIA.

An interesting image was presented, showcasing Samsung’s unveiling of the world’s first 12 nm DRAM, which even boasts compatibility with AMD.

The report highlights that Samsung’s cutting-edge DRAM process failed to hit desired yield rates — estimated between 60% and 70% — preventing them from moving into mass production. A significant challenge is the size of the 1c DRAM chip. Samsung initially aimed to downsize it to boost production volumes; however, this strategy compromised process stability, leading to lower yield rates.

In a bid to resolve these issues, Samsung has opted to tweak the design of its 1c DRAM, increasing chip size to improve yields, with ambitions set for mid-year results. They seem to be prioritizing stable mass production of next-gen memory, even if it incurs additional costs. This insight comes from ZDNet Korea.

Samsung’s strategy with the 1c DRAM process is truly critical for its HBM4 lineup. With SK Hynix and Micron already ahead with their refined designs, Samsung is under pressure, given its less-than-stellar reputation following the HBM3 debacle. It’s crucial for Samsung to meet industry standards with the 1c DRAM.

At this point, there’s a bit of a question mark hanging over how Samsung’s latest DRAM process will evolve. However, developments expected in the coming months could potentially get Samsung’s HBM4 production on the right track, hopefully by the year’s end.