ChangXin Memory Hits 90% Yield on 17nm DDR5; Acer and ASUS Adopt, Dell Bans, HP Limits

ChangXin Memory Technologies has made progress in the DDR5 memory chip segment, with yield on its 17-nanometer-class DDR5 parts reaching 90%. The chips have achieved mass-production capability and are being supplied to the market gradually. International memory makers such as Micron rely on extreme ultraviolet lithography to produce DDR5 at more advanced 10-nanometer-class nodes. ChangXin, barred by US sanctions from using the most advanced lithography equipment, follows a different technology path.

On the PC maker side, Acer and ASUS have installed ChangXin memory chips in models for mainland China and other emerging markets, making them the most active adopters to date. Dell has banned ChangXin chips across its entire product line, while HP uses the parts only in limited products made exclusively for the mainland China market.

Procurement and usage of ChangXin chips by Acer and ASUS remain modest. Terminal makers are wary of the potential market response from the three traditional memory giants — SK Hynix, Micron, and Samsung Electronics — and have therefore taken a cautious approach in early cooperation. ChangXin continues to face technology and supply chain constraints, and its shipping capacity has yet to reach the level of the three major players.