GIGABYTE announced a DDR5 memory demonstration at CES 2026, showing a system running 256GB of memory at DDR5-7200 using 4-rank CQDIMM modules.
The setup used the Z890 AORUS TACHYON (CQDIMM edition) with two 128GB CQDIMM modules, for a total of 256GB. According to GIGABYTE, the system booted and operated stably at DDR5-7200, with validation performed using CPU-Z. The company did not disclose voltages, timings, or thermal conditions.
GIGABYTE positions the result as the first public demonstration of DDR5-7200 operation with 4-rank CQDIMM memory at this capacity on a consumer motherboard platform.
By comparison, conventional CUDIMM configurations typically require four 64GB modules to reach 256GB, with memory speeds commonly reduced to around DDR5-4400 due to signal integrity limits. GIGABYTE says the CQDIMM approach reduces electrical load by using fewer modules and a different clock driver design, allowing higher operating frequencies at the same capacity.
GIGABYTE stated it is working with memory vendors including Kingston, ADATA, and TeamGroup on CQDIMM development and tuning. No timeline was given for retail availability of CQDIMM memory or compatible motherboards.
The CQDIMM demonstration was shown at GIGABYTE’s booth (#8519) in the LVCC North Hall.