Thursday, January 8th 2026

Gigabyte Announces Support for 256GB of DDR5-7200 CQDIMMs at CES 2026

Gigabyte, the world's leading computer brand, announces a breakthrough introduction of the world's first CQDIMM (Clocked Unbuffered Dual In-Line Memory Module) technology at CES 2026. By leveraging the CQDIMM-supported motherboard, Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE CQDIMM Edition, and BIOS tuning technology, Gigabyte achieves the industry-first record DDR5-7200 without compromise at full capacity with two 128 GB memory modules.

Traditionally, increasing DDR5 memory capacity has required significant trade-offs in frequency and stability. Inherent in Gigabyte's expertise in hardware and firmware design, this critical compromise is conquered. On the hardware side, Gigabyte has optimized motherboard circuit layouts to significantly reduce memory channel loading, improving signal integrity and ensuring stable operation even under heavy workloads. Complementing the hardware advancements is Gigabyte's sophisticated BIOS tuning technology. Through an optimized clock driver architecture, Gigabyte's BIOS intelligently manages timing, signal synchronization, and voltage behavior to unleash extreme performance.
The tightly integrated hardware-firmware approach ensures that high-frequency operation remains stable and efficient, delivering uncompromising performance. Meanwhile, the industry-first milestone sets a new benchmark for high-performance computing, addressing the growing demand for both extreme bandwidth and maximum memory capacity in AI computing, content creation, data-intensive workloads, and professional applications.

To accelerate adoption and ensure broad compatibility, Gigabyte collaborates with leading memory partners, including ADATA, Kingston, and Team Group, for next-generation PC systems.
Source: Gigabyte
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14 Comments on Gigabyte Announces Support for 256GB of DDR5-7200 CQDIMMs at CES 2026

#2
Unregistered
Currently waiting for support of FQDIMMs, which if the shortages continue, probably will surface.
#3
Ruru
Trepie
Announcements like these are nothing but a total shameless slap to the face for consumers with current RAM pricing.
Posted on Reply
#4
Fishymachine
256GB of DDR5? Is Gigabyte marketcap even woth 256GB?
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#5
Onasi
Wait, doesn’t Q in CQDIMM stands for Quad? Because it’s a quad-rank implementation of CUDIMM? Did Gigabyte (or whatever AI they used) mess up their own press release?
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#6
ir_cow
OnasiWait, doesn’t Q in CQDIMM stands for Quad? Because it’s a quad-rank implementation of CUDIMM? Did Gigabyte (or whatever AI they used) mess up their own press release?
:). Simpler than that. JEDEC doesn't recognize Quad-Rank CUDIMM yet because the finalized white paper isn't published... Or I hear.
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#7
ymdhis
Interesting form factor with the memory being on top. Maybe not the best choice for thermals, but it could mean the chance to put even more m.2 slots on motherboards, which is very welcome.
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#8
cstop
Interesting indeed. Not seeing it on any public page on Jedec's page so far mentioning CQDIMMs formally/officially as of yet and to be honest,
it's rather close to potentially sounding more like marketing speak for: existing dual-rank modules but since it's got two modules on the same stick/DIMM, it'd be "quad ranked" lol.

Apparently supposed to be short for [Client Quad-rank Unbuffered DIMM]. mm.
Posted on Reply
#9
Alan Smithee
This makes zero sense because Threadripper Pro exists.

256GB (2x128) CQDIMM 7200 will probably cost about $4000 (based on upcharge for rarity and speed from 4x64 6400 currently at ~$3200)

But you can get 256GB (8x32) 6400 RDIMM for about $2100. Threadripper Pro has 8 channel memory so 8 channel @ 6400 is faster than dual channel @ 7200 for any task that you would actually need 256GB RAM for.

Threadripper Pro 9955WX 16c: $1799 + Asus Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE motherboard $1249 + 8x32 6400 RDIMM $2100 = $5148

Ryzen 9950X 16c $549 + Gigabyte Aorus Tachyon $600 + 2x128 7200 CQDIMM $4000 = $5149

Not to mention that on the Threadripper Pro system you get 7 real x16 slots, dual 10GbE, etc.
Posted on Reply
#10
_roman_
That looks like the motherboard with one module for DRAM which I saw several times in the past. Very nice consumer move from gigabyte. When you want to upgrade you have to remove most likely your old DRAM module. So you buy the hole 256GB and can not top up your existing DRAm.

that is a wrong approach, we need better encoding and transmission technology and not flat DRAM modules.
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#11
Ruru
Trepie
ymdhisInteresting form factor with the memory being on top. Maybe not the best choice for thermals, but it could mean the chance to put even more m.2 slots on motherboards, which is very welcome.
I remember having that memory placement years ago (MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum, S939 AGP nForce3 board). Pretty rare though.
Posted on Reply
#12
Chomiq
This is the cost of 32 GB kit of DDR5 at one of the biggest PC hardware oriented retailers in Poland:


Roughly €635. Who can afford 256GB kit these times?
Posted on Reply
#13
Dirt Chip
How do you get to 256 with 2 dimm like the advertised mobo have??

Do we have now 128gb stick for consumers?
Posted on Reply
#14
robert3892
I wonder how much 256GB of memory would cost at this time of memory shortages.
Posted on Reply
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