Micron shifts GDDR7 focus to higher-density chips as AMD prepares for RDNA 5

The graphics memory market is undergoing a significant shift as Micron reportedly begins phasing out its 2GB GDDR7 chips. The company has marked several 16Gb/2GB GDDR7 models as 'End of Life' (EOL) in its product catalog, signaling a strategic pivot toward higher-density 3GB (24Gb) modules. This transition allows manufacturers to increase video RAM (VRAM) capacity—such as moving from 8GB to 12GB in a four-chip configuration—without increasing the number of chips or complicating PCB designs.

Simultaneously, evidence suggests AMD is preparing for the adoption of GDDR7. Recent updates to the open-source AMDGPU Linux driver include explicit support for GDDR7, alongside new hardware-enablement patches for interrupt handlers and bus interfaces. While AMD has not officially confirmed its hardware specifications, these software developments are widely viewed as preparation for the upcoming RDNA 5 architecture, which is rumored to debut around 2027 or 2028.

The move toward higher-density memory is driven by the increasing VRAM demands of 4K gaming, ray tracing, and local generative AI workloads. While Nvidia has already implemented GDDR7 in its GeForce RTX 50 series, the industry-wide shift toward higher capacity per die is expected to continue, with 4GB and 6GB GDDR7 modules potentially appearing between 2027 and 2028.