SK Hynix confirmed Thursday it has shipped samples of its latest high-bandwidth memory chips to major customers. This strategic move aims to strengthen the South Korean manufacturer's dominance in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence semiconductor sector.

The new 12-layer HBM4E chip achieves speeds up to 16 gigabits per second per pin. Crucially, it delivers over 20 percent better power efficiency compared to previous generations. These components are essential for advanced processors like those from Nvidia, enabling the massive data throughput required for training complex AI models.

SK Hynix currently serves as Nvidia’s primary supplier for this critical technology. The shipment underscores its competitive edge as rivals Samsung and Micron intensify efforts to capture market share in the lucrative AI hardware supply chain.