Renesas Electronics has introduced what it describes as the industry’s first sixth-generation (Gen6) DDR5 Registered Clock Driver (RCD) for RDIMMs, pushing data rates up to 9600 MT/s and setting a new performance bar for server memory interfaces.
The new RRG5006x Gen6 RCD targets high-end data center platforms, including systems optimized for artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and large language model (LLM) workloads. The device represents a step up from Renesas’ previous Gen5 DDR5 RCD, which topped out at 8800 MT/s—amounting to roughly a 10% bandwidth increase.
Higher Bandwidth, Backward Compatibility
Renesas positions the Gen6 RCD as a drop-in performance upgrade for existing Gen5-based platforms:
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9600 MT/s data rate, up from 8800 MT/s on Gen5
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Backward compatibility with Gen5 platforms for a smoother upgrade path
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Enhanced signal integrity and power efficiency tuned for AI, HPC, and LLM use cases
To support operation at higher speeds, Renesas has expanded its Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) architecture. The Gen6 device offers eight taps with 1.5 mV granularity, giving system designers finer control over margin tuning at the DIMM level.
Built-In Telemetry and Margining
The RCD also incorporates Decision Engine Signal Telemetry and Margining (DESTM) features for system-level diagnostics. According to Renesas, DESTM provides:
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Real-time signal quality indication
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Visibility into timing and voltage margins
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Diagnostic feedback aimed at maintaining stability at ultra-high data rates
These capabilities are intended to help OEMs qualify and monitor next-generation DDR5 RDIMMs in dense, high-power server environments.
Designed for Future Server Platforms
“Explosive growth of generative AI is fueling higher SoC core count. This is driving unprecedented demand for memory bandwidth and capacity as a critical enabler of data center performance,” said Sameer Kuppahalli, Vice President of Memory Interface Division at Renesas. “Our sixth generation DDR5 Registered Clock Driver demonstrates Renesas’ continued commitment to memory interface innovation, path-finding and delivering solutions to stay ahead of market demand.”
Renesas notes that it is working closely with CPU vendors, DRAM manufacturers, and data center customers to align Gen6 RCD capabilities with upcoming server generations.
“Samsung has collaborated with Renesas across multiple generations of memory interface components, including the successful qualification of Gen5 DDR5 RCD and PMIC5030,” said Indong Kim, VP of DRAM Product Planning, Samsung Electronics. “We are now excited to integrate Gen6 RCD into our DDR5 DIMMs, across multiple SoC platforms to support the growing demands of AI, HPC, and other memory-intensive workloads.”
Availability
The RRG5006x Gen6 DDR5 RCD is currently sampling to select customers, including major DRAM suppliers. Production availability is targeted for the first half of 2027.
Renesas’ broader memory interface portfolio for data centers includes DDR5 RCDs and related components focused on signal integrity and power optimization. More details on its DDR5 solutions are available via Renesas’ memory interface product pages.
