AI Stack Tracker

Memory

High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is essential for AI training. SK Hynix and Samsung control over 95% of global HBM production, with chronic supply shortages.

Measure
High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) Production Share
Competitive Position
USA & Allies 9
China 3
Scores determined by expert panel

Memory Analysis

High‑bandwidth memory (HBM) is the critical complement to frontier accelerators. Supply is concentrated and tightly coupled to packaging yields and substrate availability.

HBM share
HBM Share (%) = (Supplier HBM output / Global HBM output) × 100
Stack yield
Stack Yield ≈ Π(Die yield per layer) × TSV/bump yield × packaging yield

What matters in this layer

HBM capacity, binning, and reliability determine effective accelerator throughput. When HBM is short, compute is short. The constraint is as much packaging and qualification as it is DRAM wafer capacity.

Supplier concentration

A small set of firms controls most HBM output. This amplifies shocks, makes long‑term contracts valuable, and turns ramp decisions into strategic levers.

Packaging coupling

HBM availability depends on advanced packaging throughput and substrates. Memory cannot be analyzed in isolation from the packaging layer.