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China's CXMT DDR5 memory overclocked to 8800 MHz, closing gap with SK hynix
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Chinese memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) demonstrated a significant overclocking achievement, with Colorful pushing CXMT-based DDR5 memory kits to speeds of DDR5-8800 on AMD's X870E platform. This feat, reaching 8812 MHz on 32GB and 8817 MHz on 48GB configurations, puts CXMT's ICs on par with top-tier SK hynix A-die and M-die chips. Despite lacking access to advanced EUV lithography due to US export restrictions, CXMT uses 16nm DUV technology, roughly equivalent to the Big Three's older 1z nm nodes. The company, which went public with a 466% stock surge raising $8.6 billion, is rapidly expanding factories and aims to capture 30% of the global memory market by 2030. Major brands like Asgard, Colorful, Gloway, KingBank, and even Corsair are using CXMT ICs, with HP, Asus, Acer, and reportedly Apple adopting them in consumer devices.
Source report
The best RAM on the market generally utilizes integrated circuits (ICs) from industry giants such as SK hynix, Samsung, or Micron. Recently, however, Chinese chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has emerged as a strong competitor amid the ongoing global memory shortage. In Colorful's latest overclocking exhibition, CXMT's ICs achieved speeds up to DDR5-8800 on AMD's X870E platform, keeping pace with the best overclocking ICs, such as SK hynix's A-die and M-die.
CXMT's Rise in the Memory Industry
Many often regard CXMT as an underdog in the memory industry, particularly when compared to the "Big Three." Founded only a decade ago, the ambitious Chinese chipmaker eventually became China's largest domestic memory manufacturer and is now the fourth-largest memory maker globally.
The recent memory shortage has accelerated CXMT's rise to fame. The chipmaker has been silently gaining ground in the memory market. Its momentum has been especially evident in the DDR5 segment despite the company having only unveiled its first DDR5 ICs in November 2025. Many top Chinese memory brands, including Asgard, Colorful, Gloway, and KingBank, are widely using CXMT ICs, and even Corsair has done so to a certain extent.
Overclocking Achievement Details
Colorful showed off an incredible overclock with its iGame Shadow II DDR5-6000 C34 memory kits, pushing both the 32GB (2x16GB) and 48GB (2x24GB) configurations far beyond their rated speeds. These kits reached DDR5-8812 and DDR5-8817, respectively, on Colorful's iGame X870E Vulcan W OC motherboard. Unfortunately, the screenshots provided by Colorful were too blurry to discern detailed specifications such as memory timings or DRAM voltage. For context, some high-end DDR5-8800 memory kits typically operate at timings around 42-55-55-140 with a voltage of 1.45V.
Colorful iGame Shadow II 16x2 kit (CXMT 2Gb dies) reached 8800MHz MT/s on Colorful iGame X870E Vulcan W OC (2DIMM). Reaching 8800 for 16x2 is very impressive and much harder to achieve compared to 24x2. Based on the pattern we see with Hynix dies, for example in Z890 QVL, you… — Source: Tom's Hardware, August 6, 2026
The noteworthy aspect is that Colorful achieved the overclocking feat on 16GB memory modules. Most, if not all, DDR5-8600 and faster memory kits currently on the market come with 24GB memory modules. The reason is that many use SK hynix's 24Gb (3GB) M-die ICs, produced on the chipmaker's advanced 1a-nm (~14nm) process node with Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. These M-die ICs are the go-to choice for memory vendors thanks to their superior density, power efficiency, and ability to scale to higher frequencies.
Technological Challenges and Process Node Limitations
In comparison, CXMT's accomplishments are notable when considering the technological challenges. Due to U.S. export restrictions on China, CXMT does not have access to cutting-edge EUV equipment, so its 16nm node, which it uses for DDR5 ICs, leverages Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) machines instead. CXMT's 16nm process is roughly in the same alley as the 1z nm (~14–15nm) nodes previously used by the Big Three, so CXMT is easily a few years behind the top-tier process nodes.
The reality is that CXMT will have to make do with what it has. The chipmaker is already developing a 1a-nm node but on DUV. It is far from prime time, though.
Market Adoption and Future Outlook
In addition to seeing CXMT ICs in mainstream memory kits, companies such as HP, Asus, and Acer have already started selling consumer devices, such as laptops or desktops with CXMT memory. Even Apple reportedly wants to buy memory chips from CXMT.
CXMT recently went public via IPO and saw its stock price skyrocket by 466%, raising over $8.6 billion. Without access to EUV machinery, CXMT will focus primarily on memory production and is rapidly building factories across China. The ambitious Chinese chipmaker hopes to steal 30% of the market share from the Big Three by 2030. It is just a matter of time before we start seeing CXMT ICs in all the prominent consumer memory brands.
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