SK Hynix Ships 12-Layer HBM4E Samples; Coherent Secures $50m Nvidia Expansion
NVDA•SK Hynix shipped samples of its new 12-layer HBM4E chips with 16Gbps per pin speed and 20% better power efficiency to Nvidia for AI systems. Coherent inked a letter of intent for up to $50m in government funding to expand an optical networking plant tied to Nvidia’s AI datacenter infrastructure.
1. SK Hynix Ships Next-Gen HBM4E Samples
SK Hynix has shipped samples of its 12-layer HBM4E high-bandwidth memory chips to major AI customers including Nvidia, featuring speeds of 16 gigabits per second per pin and over 20% improved power efficiency compared with prior models.
2. Coherent Secures $50m for Optical Networking Expansion
Coherent signed a letter of intent to receive up to $50 million in government funding to expand a manufacturing facility producing optical networking components that support Nvidia’s AI datacenter infrastructure.
3. Implications for Nvidia’s Supply Chain
The introduction of HBM4E chips and expanded optical networking capacity should bolster Nvidia’s ability to deliver next-generation AI GPUs by easing memory bandwidth constraints and increasing data transport throughput, though ramp timelines and integration will determine short-term production gains.
