AMD: Qimonda insolvency not expected to constrain GDDR5 supply

AMD expects the production stop at insolvent memory maker Qimonda won't cause trouble for its Radeon HD 4800 series graphics cards that use GDDR5 memory. Qimonda was an important GDDR5 partner, but the company claims Hynix and Samsung will be able to meet GDDR5 memory demand.

However, X-bit Labs has some doubts whether Samsung and Hynix will be able to meet demand, especially because AMD plans to use GDDR5 memory on sub-$100 video cards sometime next month.

“Going into the launch of the ATI Radeon HD 4870 in June 2008, we worked with three memory vendors – Qimonda, Hynix and Samsung – to ensure multiple suppliers of GDDR5 memory. We have assessed availability of GDDR5 memory and, regardless of what transpires with Qimonda, GDDR5 memory will be available in sufficient quantity to meet our needs,” said David Cummings, director of product marketing of discrete desktop graphics at AMD’s graphics products group, AMD.

At present there are several ATI Radeon HD 4870 and 4870 X2 models that utilize memory from Hynix, however, there are a few, if any, designs that feature GDDR5 from Samsung Electronics, which raises questions whether the company produces GDDR5 in noticeable quantities.