Intel's new memory technology, backed by the company, has emerged with impressive specs, boasting nine vertically stacked layers and up to 9GB of DRAM capacity. This development was revealed on May 13, 2026, by Efosa Udinmwen. The tech is called ZAM memory.
ZAM memory is designed to potentially replace High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and is reportedly approaching HBM4 bandwidth, the same tech that powers Nvidia's Vera Rubin AI platform. By stacking nine layers, ZAM achieves significant advancements in memory capacity and bandwidth.
The nine-layer structure of ZAM memory allows for a substantial increase in DRAM capacity, reaching up to 9GB. This is a notable improvement over existing memory technologies. With a total throughput of up to 2.5 TBps, ZAM is poised to support demanding AI processors.
ZAM's bandwidth is almost on par with HBM4, a significant achievement considering the competitive landscape. HBM4 is known for its high bandwidth, and ZAM's proximity to this standard suggests a strong potential for adoption in high-performance computing and AI applications.
The emergence of ZAM memory could have significant consequences for the tech industry, potentially shifting the landscape of memory technology. As AI processors continue to demand higher memory bandwidth and capacity, ZAM's capabilities position it as a viable alternative to HBM.
What is ZAM memory? ZAM memory is a new memory technology backed by Intel, featuring nine vertically stacked layers and up to 9GB of DRAM capacity.
How does ZAM compare to HBM4? ZAM's bandwidth is almost as much as HBM4, making it a potential competitor in high-performance computing and AI applications.
What are the potential applications of ZAM memory? ZAM is poised to support demanding AI processors, potentially finding use in high-performance computing, AI, and other data-intensive applications.