SK Hynix
SK Hynix business and news from across the web.
An SSD company has just agreed to an almost $2 billion multi-year NAND deal, which is a sign it expects the memory…SSD manufacturer Biwin has entered into a two-year, $1.86 billion deal for NAND flash memory, securing supply through June 2026. This significant commitment, representing over half of Biwin's annual revenue, indicates the company's expectation that the ongoing memory crisis will persist. Major memory manufacturers like Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix are working to increase production, though they are cautious about over-ramping due to potential demand drops.
SK hynix claims it will be able to triple its memory chip output by 2034, roughly 10 years sooner than first projectedSK hynix plans to triple its memory chip output by 2034, a decade earlier than initially projected, by constructing four new chip factories. While this expansion is significant, the company states that it cannot accelerate the timeline further. The increased capacity is expected to double within five years and triple by the new target date, though it offers little immediate relief for the current global memory crisis.
'The thing that gives me hope is there is an enormous amount of capacity being built' - AMD's head of Ryzen and Radeon is pinning hopes of an end to the memory crisis on a supply ramp into 2028AMD's David McAfee expressed hope that the memory crisis, exacerbated by AI demand, could ease by 2028 as manufacturers ramp up DDR5 production. While acknowledging the significant capacity being built, McAfee noted that the unprecedented demand from AI and server refreshes makes it uncertain if supply will meet future needs. Other industry figures and companies like Samsung and SK hynix are also investing in new facilities, though they cautiously manage risks of oversupply.- Morning Tech BitsSK hynix plans to double its memory wafer production capacity over the next five years, according to its chairman. The company anticipates that an AI-driven shortage will continue until at least 2030. Cooler Master also showcased new MWE products.
Intel targets India for a new $3.3 billion factory that will make the base substrates for its next generation of chipsIntel plans to invest $3.3 billion in partnership with 3D Glass Solutions, Inc. to build a semiconductor substrate manufacturing facility in Odisha, India. The plant, expected to take six years to complete, will produce high-density interconnect and advanced packaging glass core substrates. This initiative is part of India's 'Make in India' program aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing.
This supply chain Sankey diagram for an Nvidia AI megachip is a handy guide to understanding just how easy it is to ruin…A Sankey diagram from Veridion illustrates the complex supply chain for Nvidia's H200 AI megachip, highlighting components also relevant to common graphics cards from manufacturers like TSMC, Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron. The article discusses how disruptions or price increases from key suppliers can significantly impact the cost and availability of PC gaming hardware.
Samsung workers to take home $340,000 on average thanks to union's vote to approve historic profit-share dealSamsung semiconductor workers will receive an average of $340,000 in bonuses following a union vote to approve a historic profit-sharing deal. The agreement grants workers 10.5% of the company's operating profit, totaling an estimated $22.6 billion. The article also touches on the broader role of labor unions in the tech and gaming industries, referencing recent events at Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.
Team Group CEO warns that DRAM and SSD prices will still rise: 'If you need memory, we recommend purchasing it as…Team Group CEO Gerry Chen warns that prices for DRAM and SSDs are likely to continue rising due to high AI server demand, which accounts for 40-50% of the memory market. He predicts supply shortages will persist until 2028 and advises consumers to purchase memory components sooner rather than later, as PC component prices may follow server market increases.- SK Hynix hits $1 trillion valuationChipmaker SK Hynix has surpassed a $1 trillion valuation, joining an elite group of companies reaching this financial milestone. The surge in valuation highlights the growing importance and market value of semiconductor manufacturers.
Two memory manufacturers join Samsung in the $1 trillion market cap club, global DRAM revenue is nearing $100,000,000,000, and I'm here with my head in my handsGlobal DRAM revenue is approaching $100 billion, with Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron all achieving market capitalizations of $1 trillion. While Samsung maintains the largest market share, ChangXin Memory Technologies is showing significant growth. Despite strong performance for manufacturers, rising prices are a concern for consumers and PC gamers.
Samsung has reportedly developed 900-layer flash memory chips and I'm thinking SSDs could get seriously cheap if…Samsung has reportedly developed a prototype 900-layer NAND flash memory chip by bonding two 450-layer wafers, significantly increasing density compared to current technologies. This advancement is largely driven by the demand from the AI industry, though it raises questions about future SSD pricing if the AI market cools.
Samsung has swerved a planned South Korean factory strike with a last-minute deal, so the memory machine rumbles onSamsung Electronics has reached a last-minute agreement with its labor union, averting a planned 18-day strike. The union had previously demanded 15% of annual operating profits for employee bonuses and the removal of a salary cap on performance pay. The details of the new proposal are yet to be revealed, but the union has agreed to suspend the strike pending an internal vote.
I really hope you weren't considering a GPU upgrade this year, as Nvidia may raise the price of the already pricey…Reports suggest Nvidia may increase the price of the RTX 5090 GPU by as much as $300 due to ongoing memory shortages impacting component pricing. This potential price hike, if true, will likely affect PC gamers. The AI industry's high demand for memory chips is a primary driver of the current supply crisis, with significant improvements not expected until 2028.
Here's how the Iran war is hitting key supplies for components, according to supply chain expertsThe conflict in Iran is significantly impacting global supply chains, particularly for materials essential to semiconductor and component manufacturing. Key substances like helium, sulphuric acid, PPE resin, aluminium, and solvents for photoresists are facing shortages due to disrupted trade routes and damaged production facilities. Experts warn of sustained price increases and potential multi-year disruptions, with AI infrastructure likely prioritized over consumer electronics.
We're starting to get convincing counterfeit DDR5 modules, just in case the memory crisis isn't bad enough…Convincing counterfeit DDR5 memory modules are beginning to appear, exacerbating existing supply and price issues. These fake modules often use bare circuit boards instead of actual memory chips and can be difficult to distinguish from genuine products, especially in laptop form factors. Buyers are advised to purchase from trusted sellers and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
If you're wondering where all the storage is going, it's landed in this 245 TB data center SSD from MicronMicron has released the 6600 ION SSD, a 245 TB solid-state drive designed for data centers to support AI, cloud, and enterprise workloads. This drive offers significantly higher storage capacity and requires fewer racks compared to traditional HDD deployments, potentially reducing power and floor space requirements. The article also touches on the current memory crisis driven by AI data centers consuming vast amounts of storage modules.
'Regardless of the type of offer, available capacity is essentially zero right now': SK hynix is reportedly being swamped with 'unprecedented' offers to secure memory chipsSK hynix is reportedly overwhelmed with offers to secure memory chips due to an ongoing global shortage, with available capacity essentially at zero. Companies are proposing financing equipment and providing advanced machinery to secure contracts, but SK hynix is cautious about long-term deals that could lead to selling memory at a lower price. Other major players like Samsung and Micron are also reportedly in talks for multi-year contracts, while companies like Maingear and Phison express concerns about the crisis potentially leading to bankruptcies.
"It's a totally crazy market" – The seismic impact of the AI boom on video game hardwareThe surge in demand for AI data centers has caused a significant shortage and price increase for consumer hardware components like RAM and GPUs. This impacts gaming hardware manufacturers such as Nintendo, Valve, and Sony, leading to higher prices for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and potentially delaying new hardware launches like the Steam Machine. The increased costs also affect game development studios by raising the price of essential development hardware.
'This is the first time where I'm seeing no light at the end of the tunnel': How the memory crisis is…The PC gaming industry is facing a severe memory crisis, with RAM prices quadrupling due to high demand from AI development. Companies like PowerGPU and Maingear are struggling with increased costs and reduced sales, with some executives seeing no end in sight for the next two years. This crisis is impacting entry-level PC price points and forcing some builders to consider alternative solutions like console gaming.
PCB prices have risen by up to 40% due to war in Iran, according to Reuters' industry sourcesAccording to Reuters industry sources, the conflict in Iran has significantly impacted the supply of materials essential for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), leading to price increases of up to 40%. The disruption stems from a halt in production of a critical base material used in PCB laminates, coupled with shipping challenges in the Strait of Hormuz. These factors, combined with existing demand from AI server companies, have contributed to rising prices for various PC components.