➀ Global semiconductor market surged to $180 billion in 2Q 2025, up 19.6% YoY, led by NVIDIA's $45B revenue and robust memory sector growth;
➁ Memory giants SK Hynix (26% QoQ) and Micron (16%) drove gains, while tariffs and AI demand shaped market dynamics;
➂ 2025 full-year growth forecasts revised to 13-16%, with uncertainties around U.S.-China trade tensions and smartphone market declines.
SK Hynix's CEO announced that the company's high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production capacity for this year has already been sold out. Following discussions with a customer, it is also expected that next year's volume or production capacity will be sold out within the first half of this year.
DI Corporation’s subsidiary, Digital Frontier, has supplied samples of its wafer inspection kit to SK Hynix for use in the production of HBM4. The equipment is currently undergoing quality testing by the chipmaker, and official orders are expected within three to six months.
SK Hynix is planning to install equipment in its new M15X factory two months ahead of schedule, due to a surge in orders for its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) from customers, particularly Broadcom. The company is also expanding its production capabilities.
Hanwha Semitech announced on Friday that it has entered into a 21 billion won agreement to supply high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production equipment to SK Hynix. The company, previously known as Hanwha Precision Machinery, did not specify the equipment, but it is almost certain to be thermal compression (TC) bonders.
➀ Neil Druckmann discussed the evolving role of storytelling in video games with screenwriter Alex Garland, reflecting on the challenges and inspirations around narratives in games.
➁ Games like BioShock and The Last of Us demonstrated the full capability of narrative in gaming, challenging the industry's skepticism.
➂ Druckmann shared his early inspirations for narrative-driven games, including Monkey Island 2 and Half-Life 2.
➀ Reputable leaker Billbil-Kun reports that Death Stranding 2 pre-orders are expected to start in March, with a release date likely announced at SXSW 2025.
➁ The game will have a Standard Edition at $69.99 and a Collector's Edition at $229.
➂ The leak also confirms that Death Stranding 2 will launch with a physical Standard Edition, priced at $69.99 USD / 69.99 EUR, along with a Collector's Edition planned for North America and Europe, retailing at $229 USD.
➀ Dr. Prady Gupta is the Founder and Chief Scientist at Infinita Lab and Infinita Materials, focusing on materials testing and specialized chemicals for high-tech industries.
➁ Infinita Lab offers a network of over 2,000 accredited labs for comprehensive materials testing services.
➂ Infinita Materials specializes in custom inorganic chemicals for sectors like semiconductors and batteries.
➀ SK hynix has achieved a 70% yield rate on its HBM4 12-Hi memory, which is set to be used in NVIDIA's upcoming Rubin R100 AI GPUs.
➁ The test yield is an indicator that can be used to make estimations on the actual future yield rate, with SK hynix aiming for a yield upwards and into the late 90% range.
➂ TSMC, as a key partner, is expected to expand its CoWoS advanced packaging capacity to handle the large Rubin chip demand.
➀ This paper discusses the post-silicon validation of the IBM POWER9 processor, highlighting its significance in the context of increasing multi-core processor adoption by hyperscalers.
➁ IBM's Threadmill, a tool for processor verification, has been enhanced since the POWER7, including optimized template allocation and debugging strategies for multi-core write drops.
➂ The validation methodology for POWER9 has significantly improved bug detection rates compared to POWER8, with new techniques like AI prioritization and hardware irritators to induce bugs.
➀ Traditional RF board design strategies are insufficient for high frequencies and dense layouts;
➁ Keysight and Modelithics collaborate on an advanced RF board simulation workflow;
➂ The use of 3D passive component models enhances simulation accuracy and reduces the risk of board re-spins.
➀ Anduril Industries, led by Palmer Luckey, is set to take over the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program, pending Department of Defense approval.
➁ The program includes advanced headgear with AR capabilities, and Anduril will manage production and development with Microsoft Azure as the preferred cloud provider.
➂ Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR and Anduril Industries, sees this as a deeply personal achievement, emphasizing the potential of the technology to save lives.
Nextin, a supplier of equipment for SK Hynix, reported on Friday that it achieved a revenue increase of over 30% and an operating income increase of 32.24% in 2024. Revenue reached 114.82 billion won, and operating income was 47.82 billion won. Nextin attributed the growth to new orders from both domestic and international markets.
➀ SK hynix reported record profits in 2024, driven by high demand for its HBM memory used in AI chips.
➁ Despite the success, the labor union criticized the company for not honoring a profit-sharing agreement.
➂ The company plans to focus on sustainable growth and flexible investments.
➀ SK Hynix reported record-breaking financial results for the year 2024 with 66.19 trillion won in revenue and 23.46 trillion won in operating income.
➁ The revenue saw a significant year-over-year increase of 102%.
➂ This marked a return to profitability after a tough year for memory chip companies in 2023.
