If you are using a smartphone or laptop, the graphics card is an essential component of the system. In fact, they may, in a sense, be referred to as the “backbone” of your display, or the mechanism by which you see objects on your screen. GDDR5 graphics memory is still one of the most popular and extensively utilized types of graphics memory. Graphics cards are now available in a variety of pricing ranges, including the entry-level budget range, the mid-range range, and the ultra-high-end range. Recently, the introduction of GDDR6 memory chips has marked a significant advancement in the field of graphics cards. So, how do GDDR5 and GDDR6 differ from one another in terms of performance? Let’s have a look and see.
GDDR5 vs GDDR6-What is the difference
You cannot dispute that RAM (Random Access Memory) is a critical component of your cellphones, computers, and other similar electronic gadgets, despite the fact that we seldom see them in real life. For the most part, the GDDR5 memory standard has been the most extensively adopted, and it has been the chosen choice for the majority of device makers.
However, the times have changed, and there have been significant technical advances in recent years. We’ve been seeing the introduction of new, more powerful graphics cards that outperform the existing industry standards. GDDR6 is one of the newest kinds of graphics memory that has been making headlines recently. It may be a good idea to compare the GDDR5 and GDDR6 memory chipsets against themselves.
We will begin by examining the characteristics and capabilities of each of them in turn and then combine them.
GDDR5
We’ve already said that. Even with all the currently available graphics cards, GDDR5 has remained one of the finest mid-range low-latency high-bandwidth RAM options. In accordance with previous trends, the latest graphics card uses GDDR3 and GDDR4 instead of the older standards. Although GDDR3 has almost disappeared from OEM designs, GDDR4 is utilized almost exclusively in entry-level devices.
The graphics card memory made out of GDDR5 is clearly the quickest around. Indeed, Nvidia has included this technique in many of its graphics card models. Some of the most attractive models available that utilize GDDR5 memory modules include the GTX 1060, GTX 1070, and AMD’s RX 580.
It has excellent bandwidth memory performance, which makes it a suitable choice. It has been characterized as an outstanding option due to its low power usage. It is capable of transferring data at rates of up to 8 GB per second. This holds true for the 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB graphics cards. Manufacturers like Samsung, Hynix, ELPIDA, and Micron are manufacturing DDR5 chips.
Furthermore, we’re already using a newer and more sophisticated kind of DDR5 — that is, GDDR5X. It’s a great option for usage in graphics cards in high-performance servers and other sophisticated devices since it has a high SGRAM and high bandwidth. Transfer rates between 10 GB/s and 14 GB/s are possible with the GDDR5X specifications.
Graphics Cards with GDDR5 Memory
NVIDIA
- GeForce GTX 980 Ti
- GeForce GTX 1070 [Ti]
- GTX Titan
- GeForce GTX 1080 [Ti] (GDDR5X)
- Titan X Pascal (GDDR5X)
AMD
- Radeon HD 7990
- Radeon RX 480
- Radeon RX 580
- Radeon RX 590
- Radeon R9 295X2
GDDR6
Although GDDR6 memory is relatively new, it has been in wide use. In a statement, Samsung has just stated that this is their goal. Memory development is ongoing, and the standard is expected to be deployed in the first quarter of 2018.
This was formerly referred as as a successor to the GDDR5 and the GDDR5X. The memory standard would need a power consumption of 1.35 Watts. The memory has transfer rates that may go as high as 16 GBps. This plan is capable of supporting up to 72 GB of bandwidth per second. NVidia has been preparing the release of Volta-based graphics cards by including the high-speed memory standard. Virtual reality, artificial intelligence, high-performance gaming, and cryptocurrency mining are among the anticipated uses of the next generation memory standard. GDDR6 memory made by Samsung, Micron, and Hynix is what you should look for. To take advantage of this, Samsung and Micron’s GDDR6 memory will be ready to provide rates of up to 16 GB/s. The normal sector where the rates would be restricted to 12 to 14 Gbps, especially the users from Hynix, will be catered to by those from Hynix.
Graphics Cards with GDDR6 Memory
NVIDIA
- GeForce RTX 2080 [Ti]
- Titan RTX
- GeForce RTX 3060 [Ti]
- GeForce RTX 3080 [Ti] (GDDR6X)
- GeForce RTX 3090 (GDDR6X)
AMD
- Radeon RX 5600 XT
- Radeon RX 5700 [XT]
- Radeon RX 6700 [XT]
- Radeon RX 6800 XT
- Radeon RX 6900 XT
The Comparative Chart For GDDR5 and GDDR6
| Features / Particulars | GDDR5/5X | GDDR6 |
| Power Consumption | High | Low * |
| Manufacturer | Samsung, Micron, and Hynix | Samsung, Micron, and Hynix |
| Transfer Speeds | 8 Gbps for GDDR510 to 12 Gbps for GDDR5X | 14 Gbps to 16 Gbps |
| Availability | FBGA190, 0.65 mm pitch, 14x10mm | FBGA180, 0.75 mm pitch, 14×12 mm |
| I/O Configuration | X16/x32 | X8/x16 |
| Channel Count | 1 | 2 |
| Power Drawn | 1.5 V | 1.3 V |
| Sizes available | 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB | 8 GB and 16 GB |
The Final thoughts
If we have so many comparisons, what conclusion do we get to? One or the other, with the addition of GDDR5X in between. Found in many high-end applications, including crypto, machine learning, and gaming, the cryptography use is prevalent.
What’s the finest among them? The kind of applications you place them in will dictate how well they perform. The GDDR6 is built for stacked-chip architecture. Utilized in circumstances when older technology is being used, the GDDR5 memory is best matched.
The anticipated addition of additional GDDR6 memory standards would not be out of the question (GDDR6X?). The introduction of the new GDDR6 standards is likely to happen over the next six months, and implementation of these memories in graphics cards from NVidia and AMD is likely to occur during the last six months of 2018.
If you are uncertain, please share your thoughts in the comments area. If you have any questions, please contact us.
What Does GDDR Stand For?
The simple explanation is that GDDR stands for graphics double data rate. This is SDRAM or SGRAM, which is a kind of SDRAM or SGRAM that synchronously dynamic/graphics random access memory.
Where is GDDR Memory Used?
This term (namely, GDDR memory) designates it as a kind of computer memory that is only used in graphics cards, is used in almost every type of computer graphics, 3D modeling, video editing, graphic design, compositing, and even in gaming.
Data that is required by either the CPU or GPU for processing may be cached using any kind of RAM, whether it be System RAM or Video RAM.
The upside of RAM is that it is a highly quick storage medium; nevertheless, its disadvantage is that data is lost when the power is turned off.
Scene data is stored in VRAM for 3D rendering and may be accessed by the Rendering Engine.
Similarly, the VRAM will store data that’s required to render the current state of the game environment and characters, such as animations, textures, models, lighting, and other things.
FAQs
With this in mind, it’s time to move on to some of the most often asked topics about GDDR5 and GDDR6 memory types.
Is GDDR6 4 GB Better than GDDR5 8 GB better?
Depending on whether or not the VRAM’s memory bus is the same, the answer to this question is “yes” or “no”. This suggests that if this is the case, then the GDDR6 will be able to provide double the memory speed and bandwidth of the GDDR5 VRAM.
On top of that, GDDR6 uses less power, which translates to 13% less voltage. This extra power is then available to the GPU itself.
This means that, assuming the memory bus is identical in size, the following sizes of GDDR6 are equivalent: 4 GB GDDR6, 8 GB GDDR5.
Performance-wise, of course. When you need more than 4GB of VRAM, you’ll benefit from having a bigger VRAM pool, even if it is somewhat slower.
Is it possible to substitute GDDR5 for GDDR6?
It’s not the same manner as DRAM, where you can just replace the memory sticks whenever you want. This makes VRAM non-upgradable, making it difficult to work with.
Although theoretically feasible, reworking a GPU’s memory chips would need an individual with a BGA rework station and understanding of the specific procedure.
While normal System DRAM is connected to the motherboard, GDDR VRAM is soldered directly to the GPU.
DDR5 or GDDR6 is the GTX 1650.
The answer to this question is: yes, to some degree. There are two different versions of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 known as G5 and G6. On the G6, you’ll find GDDR6, whereas on the G5, you’ll find GDDR5.
Is the GDDR6 8 GB sufficient?
Your usage will rely on this. 8 GB of either GDDR5 or GDDR6 VRAM is adequate for the vast majority of 1080p gaming workloads. You’ll notice less delay using more than 8GB of RAM for professional tasks, such as 3D GPU Rendering, High-Poly Sculpting, or 4K Video Editing.
Keep in mind that memory capacity depends on your particular workload. If you are interested in learning more, check out our in-depth article on this subject.
Why is the shortage of GDDR6?
When I say there has been a scarcity of GDDR6 recently, I mean until the RTX 30-series and RX 6000-series GPUs are released in 2020-21.
Several factors are causing this scarcity.
The first thing to note is that all of the current-generation GPUs utilize GDDR6; this includes all GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, with the exception of a few of the best RTX cards.
The two newest game consoles — the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S — also fall under this category.
The following considerations are also considered: the world semiconductor scarcity and the fact that medical goods must get priority delivery. Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series graphics cards exclusively utilize GDDR6X memory.
Do You Need a New Motherboard for GDDR6?
GPU memory creation in your graphics card is not a dependency of the motherboard. Motherboard with GDDR5 GPU compatibility implies you can install a GeForce GTX 1650 with GDDR6 video memory.
