Chinese memory manufacturer Colorful has announced a significant achievement in DRAM development, with its domestically produced DDR5 RAM modules reaching a frequency of 9000 MT/s. This milestone was accomplished using the Colorful iGame X870E VULCAN W OC motherboard on the AM5 platform and domestically produced memory chips.
While global memory prices remain high due to ongoing shortages exacerbated by the AI boom, this development from China signifies rapid progress in its memory technology. Western memory has already surpassed this speed, with speeds exceeding 8,700 MT/s achieved as early as 2021 and reaching over 13,000 MT/s by the following year. However, the 9000 MT/s mark is a notable step for Chinese-made RAM.
In parallel, Asus ROG has reported that Chinese memory now operates at 6,000 MT/s with CAS latencies of C28 and C30. This configuration is similar to the fast DDR5 RAM commonly used in Western gaming PCs. The primary Chinese memory producer, CXMT, has seen its market share increase, driven by the high global demand for memory.
Recent reports indicate that Chinese RAM, particularly from CXMT, has begun appearing in laptops from manufacturers like HP, Asus, and Acer, though primarily within the Chinese market. Even if its availability remains localized, CXMT's expansion contributes to the overall global memory supply, potentially easing demand pressures and influencing prices.
Despite these advancements, the underlying demand for memory continues to outpace supply, a factor contributing to CXMT's growth. The industry anticipates this imbalance to persist for some time, suggesting that a significant reduction in prices may still be a long-term prospect.