Samsung Reportedly Clears Single-Chip Test for Nvidia’s HBM3E Approval

After facing multiple setbacks in the approval of 12-layer HBM3E chips from Nvidia, Samsung is getting closer to passing the quality tests. It has passed Nvidia’s single-chip certification process and is now waiting for the finished product certification. If all goes well, Samsung may pass the quality test in the second half of 2025.

Nvidia says Samsung HBM3E chips are usable

Samsung aims to become a leader in the growing HBM market, but it has been unable to secure orders from major clients. As a result, its gap in terms of market share has widened further compared to the industry leader, SK Hynix. The firm is trying hard to pass Nvidia’s qualification test and make a comeback in this space. The good news is that Nvidia has finally given the green signal, saying Samsung’s improved HBM solution is usable.

“Currently, Samsung Electronics’ HBM3E 12-layer product can be seen as having virtually passed Nvidia’s ‘single chip certification’, and I heard that Nvidia has also evaluated it as ‘usable’. It is currently in the process of undergoing the finished product certification process,” an insider told the Korean media outlet Dealsite.

The HBM quality test involves two parts: Single-chip certification and Finished product certification. The former assesses the performance of individual DRAMs, while the latter verifies performance in the finished product state by stacking them. As of now, Samsung’s 12-layer HBM3E chip has passed the single-chip test, and now it is going through the second part of the test.

Samsung may pass the full quality test in H2 2025

Industry experts believe that this time, the chances of passing the quality test have increased, and the firm should pass the Nvidia quality test within the first half of this year. So far, the main reason Samsung has not been able to meet its expectations is that its HBM3E chips fall short in terms of speed and power consumption. However, Samsung previously said that this was not a serious issue and did not require complete design changes.

The publication says that even if the company starts supplying its HBM products to Nvidia in the coming months, it doesn’t guarantee immediate profits. Since SK Hynix may secure most of the supply, Samsung has a lower chance of making substantial money soon, unless Nvidia decides to diversify its suppliers.