SK hynix Achieves Industry First Certification for 256GB DDR5 RDIMM on Intel Xeon 6
SK hynix has reached a major milestone in the server memory market by becoming the first company in the industry to complete full certification of a 256GB DDR5 RDIMM based on 32Gb DRAM for Intel’s latest Xeon 6 server processors. The achievement reinforces SK hynix’s leadership in high density DDR5 memory at a time when AI driven data center demand continues to reshape infrastructure priorities.
According to the official SK hynix press release, the new module is built using the company’s fifth generation ten nanometer class DRAM technology, also known as the 1b process. This makes it the first server memory module of its kind to pass Intel’s Data Center Certified validation process when paired with Intel Xeon 6 CPUs.
Intel’s certification process involves extensive testing and validation carried out by the Advanced Data Center Development Laboratory. With this certification complete, the 256GB DDR5 RDIMM is now officially verified to deliver reliable performance, compatibility, and quality on Intel Xeon platforms. SK hynix had previously achieved validation earlier this year for a 256GB product based on sixteen gigabit fourth generation ten nanometer class DRAM, but the new 32Gb based design represents a significant step forward in density, efficiency, and performance.
From a performance perspective, SK hynix states that servers equipped with the new 256GB DDR5 RDIMM deliver up to sixteen percent higher AI inference performance compared to systems using thirty two gigabit die based 128GB memory configurations. At the same time, the shift to 32Gb DRAM enables approximately eighteen percent lower power consumption when compared to earlier 256GB modules built using sixteen gigabit 1a DRAM technology. These gains translate directly into improved performance per watt, a critical metric for hyperscale and enterprise data centers.
The certification arrives exactly one year after SK hynix validated its earlier thirty two gigabit based 128GB DDR5 server memory solution, highlighting the rapid pace at which the company is scaling capacity while maintaining platform stability. By validating compatibility with Intel’s newest server CPUs ahead of competitors, SK hynix is positioning itself as a preferred supplier for next generation data center deployments.
Sangkwon Lee, head of DRAM Product Planning and Enablement at SK hynix, emphasized the strategic importance of the milestone, stating that the company can now respond more quickly to customer needs while reinforcing its leadership in the server DDR5 DRAM market. He also highlighted SK hynix’s role as a full stack AI memory provider, noting that demand for high performance, low power, and high capacity memory is accelerating across the industry.
The broader context behind this launch is the rapid evolution of AI workloads. Modern inference models are no longer limited to generating simple outputs, but increasingly perform complex logical reasoning in real time. This shift dramatically increases memory capacity and bandwidth requirements, making high density DDR5 RDIMMs a foundational component of AI infrastructure. As a result, memory has become one of the most critical determinants of overall system performance in data centers.
SK hynix expects strong interest from global data center operators as it expands cooperation with hyperscalers and enterprise customers. With Intel Xeon 6 certification now secured, the company’s 256GB DDR5 RDIMM is positioned as a key building block for next generation AI servers, combining high capacity, improved inference throughput, and reduced power consumption in a single validated solution.
Do you think ultra high density DDR5 RDIMMs like this will become the new standard for AI servers, or will cost and power constraints slow broader adoption? Share your thoughts below.
