ddr versus gddr

G

gensuperman

New Member
Hello,

I am having a hard time understanding the differences between DDR versus GDDR on a graphics card.

I am considering purchasing a new graphics card and I am looking for a good graphics card for under $100 dollars.

I also want a nvidia card, because I have had personal bad experience with ATI built cards. That is just a personal
preference.

I have read on wikipedia how ATI created and came up with the term GDDR, although NVIDIA was the first to use
this technology on their cards.

However, thats pretty much where the definition of GDDR stops.

Many other forums suggest the following:

- GDDR is the same as DDR on graphics cards, the graphic card manufactures just get the terminology wrong.
- The G in GDDR just means graphics
- GDDR is more environmentally friendly than DDR and can do more things than DDR can.
- GDDR takes less footprint power than DDR.
- GDDR is more expensive.

While other forums suggest the opposite:

- GDDR is totally different than DDR on graphics cards, it used to be that DDR was termed the same as GDDR, but
now graphic card manufactures are using either actual DDR or GDDR ram on their video cards.
- The G in GDDR means Graphics, but it is still different than DDR, and can not be used for regular motherboard ram, yet.
- GDDR is limited to under 512 MB of onboard graphic card memory, and although better than DDR, the GDDR still has
limitations and it might be better to use only DDR graphic Cards.
- GDDR takes more power to run and typically needs to be hooked up to a power supply fan of over 300.
- GDDR is less expensive in the long run.

So...

Who am I suppose to believe? What is the real difference with DDR versus GDDR on a graphic cards?
Some manufactures label their Graphics card as being GDDR, but on the box it clearly states DDR.

It is just so confusing to try and buy a graphics card. I don't want to get jipped, when I only have
to pay $10 more dollars to get a GDDR card, but if there is no real difference between the two
in regards to a graphics card, then why not get DDR3 or DDR4, rather than GDDR3 or GDDR4?

If anyone could please help answer this question, I would be grateful.

Gen Superman
 
From what i know, its a name, and that gddr is capable of running at higher clock rates. But dont all the new cards use the term GDDR now?

lol i dont have answers for all your questions,
but i know the 512mb max memory is wrong.
And yes, they tipically run hotter than ddr, because of the added voltage to the mem.


The older cards use ddr.
 
Last edited:
I believe DDR and GDDR are built differently, because any system with DDR, DDR2 or DDR3 can run any type of GDDR (3,4, or 5)

I know that GDDR5 is more expensive (but better) than GDDR3. GDDR4 isn't used a lot anymore. it's either GDDR3 with 256-bit bus, or GDDR5 with 128/256bit bus.
 
Well, I contacted a manufacture in regards to this and this is what they have to say:

Hello

Thank you for contacting Sparkle,

GDDR3 power and heat dispersal is slightly reduced allowing slightly better
performance. But is a bit more expensive.

DDR3 consumes more power but it is less expensive.

If you have any more questions, please email us and we'll be more than happy
to assist you

Thank you
Click to expand...

So, from what I have learned over these few days is that Video Card Manufactures are using either GDDR or DDR for their video cards.
Typically, most video cards under $100 dollars use the standard DDR ram chips, which "produce more power or possibly heat" and probably cause more strain in gaming applications for pc's.

However, most cards above $100 dollars typically use the new GDDR ram, which "produce heat, but are dispersed differently" probably causing less of a strain in gaming applications.

However, from what I can tell with DDR3 versus GDDR3, there really isn't that much of a real difference. The video card is still going to get hot regardless and I probably could still get the same graphic quality as I would with DDR versus GDDR, its just the performance might be slightly different.

So... Why would anyone spend hundreds of dollars on a video card "GDDR3", while a DDR3 card could still perform the same quality?

This has been a really tough call, as I want to purchase a video card, but I don't want to get ripped off in the process.

But, DDR3 versus GDDR3 seems to produce the same quality, but GDDR3 seems to not cause as much strain to the card and can seem to run at slightly higher performance results.

So, if your just looking for a basic gaming card that can play default game settings, why pay more to get only a slight difference in performance, anyways?

Now, obviously this doesn't apply to GDDR5... as that is most likely a totally different beast to begin with.
 
The GPU itself has much more of an impact then the type of RAM used. It's not like you really have a choice whether or not a specific card uses DDR or GDDR...
 
exactly

trust me, you are looking at things that shouldnt really be looked at.

dont worry about it.

for $100, the best card you will get is a 9800GT.

just find one, and buy it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top