As expected according to the earlier schedule, Micron has started sampling its next-generation GDDR5X memory chips to customers.

According to a report coming from Hot Hardware site, Micron has now started sampling GDDR5X memory to its clients. While there is no official confirmation from Micron, this does line up with Micron's earlier revealed schedule. Revealed back in February, the mass production of GDDR5X memory was expected in summer while first client-ready samples was scheduled for spring.

Back in February, Micron also revealed that GDDR5X production is doing well and that first working silicon was ready earlier than expected and was hitting 13Gbps bandwidth, which is impressive considering that specified performance was anywhere between 10 and 14Gbps.

In case you missed it, based on a 20nm manufacturing process, the first-generation GDDR5X chips have both smaller package due to smaller and denser ball placement as well as lower power consumption, due to reduced voltage.

Currently, Micron offers both 8Gb (1GB) and 16Gb (2GB) densities for partners, which should lead to 8GB and 16GB graphics cards. It is quite good that Micron is keeping up with its schedule as it won't delay any new graphics cards this summer although some high-end and flagship graphics card might come with first-generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) as well.



Source: HotHardware.com.