DDR6 RAM: everything we know so far

Innovation doesn't stop and we keep speeding up constantly so how much longer for new RAM

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While DDR5 RAM is being adopted by the PC gaming community, we can now look forward to the development of DDR6 RAM, so no official DDR6 RAM release date as of yet. The current generation of the tech is growing in popularity as more and more people upgrade to the latest CPUs and, in turn, RAM. But for the early adopters out there, you may already be thinking about DDR6.

DDR5 is of course used by all AMD AM5 platforms, whilst Intel has kept it optional since Z590 and newer. As it has been the more expensive option, it hasn’t been an immediate switch for everyone – and has made the Ryzen 7000 CPUs less affordable.

But that doesn’t slow down any improvements. With Samsung reporting, it has begun developments on the new standard. With the introduction of some new technologies boosting it up to blazingly fast speeds.

DDR6 development reportedly already well under way

The development started as early as July 2022, but it’s not expected for a while yet. It will be a few years before the development of the new chips is finished. This will likely mean the current DDR5 generation will come down in price and be more reasonable to afford.

Samsung is expecting to finalize the DDR6 design by 2024. Two years on from the start of its initial start. Although it also doesn’t expect to immediately go into production. Samsung says DDR6 is not expected to come into commercial usage until 2025. Now, this is for the modules as well so it will have to get integrated into RAM sticks as well first to actually be used.

This will also mean you have to get a new platform to be able to use DDR6 RAM on it. Such as an AM6 or updated AM5 platform that will support it. Or an Intel platform that provides optional support as that changed every couple of years anyway. As it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in its current generations.

How fast is DDR6?

Just like PCIe generations, each standard doubles the available bandwidth to the standard. And currently, DDR5 is rated for a speed of 51.2 GB/s per module and 2 channels per module.

In particular, DDR memory data rates for JEDEC modules are 6,400 Mbit/s, with overclocking modules set for 8,500 Mbit/s. But even now faster consumer modules are releasing.

So then DDR6 is expected to reach 12,800 Mbit/s on JEDEC modules and 17,000 Mbit/s on overclocking. In a likely case, these will increase over time.

What is MSAP?

Samsung has also announced it will be using MSAP technology in its new DDR6 modules. Already used in competitors’ DDR5 picks like SK Hynix and Micron, Samsung is following on in the new gen.

MSAP is the Modified Semi Additive Process. This allows the manufacturers, to create much finer circuits on the memory modules. Allowing it to fit the tech more densely in a small area.

This is done by coating circuit patterns in empty spaces for better connections and faster transfer speeds. So it will combine that with more layers in DDR6 memory to achieve its higher rating.

DDR6 RAM: Final word

So, that’s everything we know so far about the DDR6 RAM. Thankfully, we’ve already got some nice information early on to look forward to. While we sit and wait for the newest generation, there are plenty of people already looking to upgrade. Some of you may even be sticking to DDR4 for now, awaiting a bigger upgrade due to Samsung’s MSAP technology.

We’ll be returning regularly to keep you updated with any news and developments for DDR6 RAM.