Just as the PC market is pushing heavily into DDR5 memory, we’re hearing more about both DDR6 and LPDDR6 memory.
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In a new JEDEC presentation, we’re hearing about DDR6, LPDDR6, and new CAMM standards for memory. LPDDR5 for example is already 5 years old, and while we’ve seen mid-product update refreshes including LPDDR5X and LPDDR5T, they won’t be good enough for the years to come.
DDR6 memory will reportedly start off at 8800MT/s of bandwidth, up to a huge 17,600MT/s of bandwidth with a “possible extension” to an incredible 21,000MT/s of bandwidth. Keep in mind that DDR5 ranges from between 4000MT/s and 8400MT/s, while DDR4 was stuck down at 1600MT/s through to 3200MT/s.
As for LPDDR6 memory, JEDEC expects to see data rates begin at 10.667Gbps ranging up to 14.400Gbps, which is much higher than LPDDR5 that starts off at 6.400Gbps, LPDDR5X at 8.533Gbps, and LPDDR5T at 9.600Gbps.
The world of DDR5 is really only just beginning, with the majority of gamers still using DDR4 memory… this doesn’t mean the industry slows down. JEDEC is pushing the boundaries of bandwidth with DDR6 and LPDDR6, but the future of computing is always more, more, more. This won’t impact PC gamers for many years to come, with JEDEC expecting the initial draft DDR6 specs this year, while v1.0 specs will arrive in Q2 2025.