Basic Definition of GDDR Memory & Types of GDDR Memory
GDDR is the memory type used in graphics cards, and it stands for Graphics Double Data Rate. In 1999, Nvidia introduced GDDR memory for the first time. The performance and power consumption of GDDR memory have improved with every new generation.
The GDDR6X memory was launched in the year 2020, the latest generation of the GDDR memory. A 16Gbps data transfer rate makes this generation the fastest of all. For high-end performance, high-end graphics cards like the RTX 3080 & 3090 utilize Throughout this article we will discuss all about basic definition of gddr memory and it’s types.
Types/Generations of GDDR Memory
- GDDR1
- GDDR2
- GDDR3
- GDDR4
- GDDR5
- GDDR5x
- GDDR6
- GDDR6x
Quick Comparison of GDDR Generations
| Memory Type | Memory Clock Speed | Transfer Rate |
| GDDR2 | 500 MHz | Unknown |
| GDDR3 | 625 MHz | 2.5 Gbps |
| GDDR4 | 275 MHz | 2.2 Gbps |
| GDDR5 | 625-1000 MHz | 5-8 Gbps |
| GDDR5X | 624-875 MHz | 10-12 Gbps |
| GDDR6 | 875-1000 MHz | 14-16 Gbps |
| GDDR6X | 1000 MHz & up | 19-21 Gbps |
Clock Speed and Transfer Rate of GDDR Generations
GDDR vs GDDRX: What’s the difference?
The current generation of GDDRX is a slight improvement over the previous generation. The GDDRX generation chips have a slightly faster clock speed and bandwidth than the GDDR generation chips. The voltage used by GDDRX generation cards is lower than that of their GDDR counterparts, they still use more power. The chips on the GDDRX cards are more expensive than the normal chips on GDDR cards.
An increase in system bandwidth, for example, results in GDDR6X graphics cards performing 43% better than GDDR6. Introducing PAM4 was an advanced signaling technology introduced by Micron that enabled this.
How do you choose the best GDDR generation for your needs?
Each advanced GDDR generation shows a clear improvement over its predecessor by comparing the table above. The popularity and demand, GDDR5 and GDDR6 are the most popular and in-demand generations at the moment. There is a greater difference in base and boost clock speeds between graphics cards with GDDR5 memory and those with GDDR6 memory.
So, you can really improve your gameplay with a higher boost clock speed. There is still a lot of value in GDDR5 graphics cards when it comes to gaming. With GDDR6 cards, you can get huge advantages when editing videos, streaming, and creating other complex content.
GDDR6 and GDDR6X both deliver excellent performance in AAA titles, as well as handling the intense graphic workload. As well as being more power-efficient than GDDR5, GDDR6 chips consume less power than GDDR5.
