GDDR7 expansion incoming – 4GB and 6GB chips planned

GDDR7 memory chip capacities are expected to double over the next two years

The GDDR7 memory specification allows for a huge number of potential memory chip capacities. Today, only 2GB and 3GB chips are available, limiting the memory capacity options available for mainstream and workstation-grade GPUs. According to Golden Pig Upgrade (via Videocardz), new 4GB and 6GB GDDR7 memory chips will become available in 2027 or 2028, giving GPU makers exciting new options.

For GPUs like Nvidia’s RTX 5060, which uses four 2GB GDDR7 chips to achieve an 8GB frame buffer, Nvidia could theoretically use 4GB or 6GB memory chips to create 16GB or 24GB versions of its RTX 5060. With these chips, product makers would have no excuse for creating GPUs with inadequate VRAM (aside from pricing).

The problem is pricing

Right now, 3GB GDDR7 chips are much more expensive than their 2GB counterparts. A report in July stated that 3GB GDDR7 memory chips were 3x more expensive than 2GB chips. Similar problems could plague new 4GB and 6GB chips, making them poor options for mainstream products.

Regardless, these new memory chips would enable workstation-grade or datacenter-grade GPUs with much higher GDDR7 memory capacities. If nothing else, this could make 3GB modules less expensive and make their use in mainstream products more viable.

(Larger GDDR7 memory modules are in development)

GDDR7 chips have the potential to become much faster and more memory-dense

The GDDR7 memory standard is far from reaching its fullest potential. While today’s GDDR7-based devices mostly use 28 Gbps modules, the standard officially supports speeds of up to 48 Gbps. That’s over 70% faster than today’s GDDR7 modules. Furthermore, the standard officially supports capacity extensions up to 8GB, which is 4x the memory density of today’s commonly used 2GB GDDR7 modules.

The only thing that’s stopping faster, denser GDDR7 modules from coming to market is manufacturing. DRAM makers need to produce GDDR7 modules capable of higher memory speeds and create new modules with higher memory densities. Whether these faster/denser DRAM kits come to market depends on market forces and the ability of DRAM makers to push GDDR7 to new heights. It will take years for GDDR7 to reach its full potential, but things are progressing.

Join the discussion on larger GDDR7 modules arriving in 2027 or 2028 on the OC3D Forums.