LPDDR6 up to 14.4 Gbps, DDR6 up to 17.6 Gbps
JEDEC presentation outlines the future of consumer memory standards.
The Low Power Double Data Rate 6 (LPDDR6) memory may be introduced with data rates starting from 10.667 Gbps and bandwidth of 32 Gbps. This is the new information coming from the JEDEC presentation, as revealed by Synopsys and published Darkmont . The presentation touches on several topics, including LPDDR, DDR and CAMM standards.
The LPDDR5 standard is already 5 years old, it is time for an update. The mid-product update from Samsung and SK Hynix in a form of LPDDR5X and LPDDR5T are not good enough anymore and in 1-2 years demand for higher bandwidth will unquestionable. Especially given the progress in integrated graphics solutions, which heavily rely on fast system memory.
Speed of Low Power DDR memory
- LPDDR4 : 3.200 Gbps
- LPDDR5: 6.400 Gbps
- LPDDR5X : 8.533 Gbps
- LPDDR5T : 9.600 Gbps (now part of LPDDR5X specs)
- LPDDR6 : 10.667 Gbps – 14.400 Gbps ⬅️
According to the presentation, JEDEC expects 10.667 Gbps data rate with the new standard once it becomes available. This is not the fastest data rate that should be expected from this standard, as 14.4 Gbps is also listed as the highest defined data rate. This is the first confirmation that the LPDDR6 goal is this high. The documents mention that initially users should expect 28.5 to 32 GBps bandwidth with potential up to 38.4 GBps.
LPDDR6 speeds, Source: JEDEC/Synopsys/Darkmont
There is also an update for DDR6, but this standard is still yet to be finalized and JEDEC is yet to decide on the signaling standard (PAM and NRZ). The current plan mentions that the data dates should focus on 8.8 Gbps to 17.6 Gbps range, however it is possible to extend this rate up to 21 Gbps. Even if the extension wouldn’t be reached, the 17.6 Gbps bandwidth would already be twice as high as DDR5-8400’s JEDEC standard (PC5–67200),
DDR Data Rates:
- DDR4 : 1,600 – 3,200 Gbps
- DDR5 : 4,000 – 8,400 Gbps
- DDR6 : 8,800 – 17,600 (21,000 possible) Gbps ⬅️
DDR6 speeds, Source: JEDEC/Synopsys/Darkmont
The DDR6 specs should be finalized by the second quarter of next year, with initial draft expected this year.