Chinese POWEV Enters DDR5 Market With Up to 64 GB UDIMM, SODIMM, and RDIMM Modules

The Chinese DRAM market has just gained another player with POWEV entering the DDR5 market. POWEV is a sub-brand of the Chinese company Jiahe Jinwei, which announced its entry into the DDR5 market almost half a decade ago but is delivering now when it is needed most. POWEV has introduced DDR5 DRAM in form factors like UDIMM, SODIMM, and RDIMM, capable of up to 64 GB capacity and available in either 4,800 MT/s or 5,600 MT/s speeds. At these speeds, modules have different latencies, so it is best to refer to the specification table below. Firstly, POWEV separates its DDR5 products into “pure domestic” memory modules and industrial memory modules. This likely refers to some modules being for PC DIY and OEM applications, while others are for servers and industrial applications.

Both categories come with non-ECC unbuffered memory modules, while RDIMMs carry registered ECC on their own DIMMs. Every module operates at a voltage of 1.2 V, with a specific pin count depending on the form factor. Interestingly, it is unclear what technology POWEV uses to manufacture these DDR5 modules and create these DIMMs, as the underlying technology is undefined. South Korean memory makers such as SK hynix and Samsung usually reveal which iteration of their 10 nm manufacturing technology is used for chip manufacturing, but that is not the case here. Jiahe Jinwei has entered mass production of DDR5 memory, but no underlying technology has been disclosed. For many, this doesn’t matter as long as the performance meets JEDEC’s DDR5 specifications.

What makes this launch especially interesting is the fact that there are many more Chinese DRAM makers beyond those the public is aware of, like CXMT. However, not all succeed in producing the latest memory, as China is limited in acquiring the latest DRAM fab equipment, often relying on older DUV ASML scanners or its homegrown equipment. As the world faces a dire DRAM shortage, any new capacity coming online is helpful. The company is already shipping DDR5 modules to Chinese data centers, and consumer expansion is about to begin.