Samsung Breaks into NVIDIA's HBM3E Supply Chain, Challenging SK hynix's Dominance
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Samsung finally passes NVIDIA's strict HBM3E 12-Hi qualification tests: 10,000 units on the way
TL;DR: Samsung Electronics has passed NVIDIA's strict HBM3E 12-Hi memory qualification, securing a contract to supply 10,000 units for NVIDIA's AI GPUs. This marks a significant shift as Samsung challenges SK hynix's exclusive supply, positioning itself strongly for the upcoming HBM4 memory standard in next-gen AI hardware. Samsung Electronics has finally passed NVIDIA's strict HBM3E 12-Hi memory qualification tests for use on its AI GPUs, with the South Korean memory giant ready to supply 10,000 units. In a new report from AlphaEconomy picked up by insider @Jukanrosleve on X, NVIDIA recently signed a supply contract for its HBM3E 12-Hi memory to NVIDIA, where the contract will see Samsung supply around 10,000 units of its qualified HBM3 12-Hi product. Samsung commented, saying that everything is "progressing as scheduled". In previous rumors, Samsung's new HBM3E 12-Hi memory supply was confirmed, but this seems more solid and now a contract is in place, after fellow South Korean memory rival SK hynix has been exclusively supplying NVIDIA with all of the high-end HBM3 and HBM3E memory it needed. NVIDIA will use the next-gen HBM4 memory standard on its next-gen Rubin AI GPUs and AI servers, with Samsung performing what it hopes to be a huge turnaround in its semiconductor business. We reported just last week that NVIDIA initially requested 9Gbps speeds from HBM4, but pushing for upwards of 11Gbps. Samsung was the only one to offer HBM4 that could hit 10Gbps+ speeds, with SK hynix needing to pump more voltage (power + heat) to hit those 10Gbps speeds, and US-based Micron said 10Gbps was impossible... so Samsung is looking in great shape for the HBM4 fight in 2026.
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Samsung passes Nvidia's qualification test for 12-layer HBM3E chip - report By Investing.com
Investing.com -- Samsung Electronics has successfully passed Nvidia's qualification test for its 12-layer HBM3E product, according to a report from Korea Economic Daily that cited people familiar with the matter. The approval comes approximately 18 months after Samsung completed the development of the chip, the newspaper reported. The qualification represents a significant milestone for Samsung in the high-bandwidth memory market, potentially positioning the company to supply these advanced memory chips to Nvidia for use in its graphics processing units and artificial intelligence accelerators. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
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Samsung Electronics has passed NVIDIA's strict qualification tests for HBM3E 12-Hi memory, securing a contract to supply 10,000 units for AI GPUs. This breakthrough positions Samsung as a strong competitor to SK hynix in the high-end memory market.
Samsung's Breakthrough in High-Bandwidth Memory Market
Samsung Electronics has achieved a significant milestone in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market by successfully passing NVIDIA's stringent qualification tests for its HBM3E 12-Hi memory
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. This breakthrough comes approximately 18 months after Samsung completed the development of the chip, marking a crucial step in the company's efforts to compete in the advanced memory chip sector.NVIDIA Contract and Market Implications
Following the qualification, NVIDIA has signed a supply contract with Samsung for around 10,000 units of the HBM3E 12-Hi memory
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. This development is particularly noteworthy as it challenges the exclusive supply relationship that NVIDIA has maintained with SK hynix, Samsung's South Korean rival, for high-end HBM3 and HBM3E memory. Samsung has confirmed that everything is "progressing as scheduled," indicating a smooth transition into this new supply arrangement.Future Prospects: HBM4 and AI Hardware
The successful qualification of Samsung's HBM3E memory positions the company favorably for the upcoming transition to the HBM4 memory standard, expected to be used in NVIDIA's next-generation Rubin AI GPUs and AI servers
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. Samsung has demonstrated a competitive edge in this arena, offering HBM4 memory capable of reaching speeds over 10Gbps, while competitors like SK hynix and Micron have faced challenges in meeting these performance targets without increased power consumption or have deemed such speeds impossible.Related Stories
Industry Impact and Competition
This development represents a potential shift in the semiconductor industry landscape. Samsung's entry into NVIDIA's supply chain for high-performance memory could disrupt SK hynix's dominance in this sector. It also showcases Samsung's technological prowess and its ability to meet the demanding requirements of leading AI and GPU manufacturers.
As the demand for high-performance memory in AI applications continues to grow, Samsung's breakthrough could lead to increased competition, potentially driving innovation and affecting pricing in the HBM market. The company's success with HBM3E and its promising outlook for HBM4 may also strengthen its position in the broader semiconductor industry, particularly in the rapidly expanding field of AI hardware.
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