Difference between GDDR RAM and RAM

System RAM and GDDR RAM differ by application and cannot be arbitrarily replaced. Join TipsMake to learn the difference between GDDR RAM and RAM through the following article!

What does GDDR RAM and DDR RAM mean?

Before diving into the puzzling matter, it's better to have a firm grasp of the meanings of these two common terms. GDDR stands for Graphics Double Data Rate, while DDR stands for Double Data Rate.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is short-term computer memory that holds all the programs and data currently in use. Often, however, you will see DDR RAM simply referred to as RAM.

In a nutshell, both GDDR RAM and DDR RAM are just short-term memory modules in a computer. Another difference is that each type of RAM has its own application.

Different use cases of GDDR RAM and RAM

In summary, the main difference between GDDR RAM and RAM lies in the use cases. As you may know, both the GPU (graphics processing unit) and CPU (central processing unit) of a computer need memory to perform different functions. That's where GDDR RAM and DDR RAM come into play.

GDDR RAM is used in the graphics card, while the computer's CPU uses RAM. The reason for this division is due to the nature of the functions performed by the graphics card and CPU to fulfill your needs as an end user. Since graphics processing requires higher data transfer capacity, GDDR RAM is specially optimized for high bandwidth demands to ensure optimal performance.

On the other hand, RAM cannot do large data transfers in one go because of the narrow memory bus. However, it can transmit small pieces of data with very low latency to ensure that common computer tasks run seamlessly, such as opening Word documents, browsing the web, and more.

This brings us to the underlying technologies that make GDDR RAM and RAM better handle their respective functions.

The Technology Behind GDDR RAM and RAM

The difference in GDDR RAM and RAM applications stems from the underlying technology. Basically, GDDR RAM uses a wider memory bus, which ensures that large chunks of data can pass through at the same time.

For example, GDDR6 has a data rate of 18 gigabits per second (Gbps). That's important when considering the kind of work the GPU does - rendering graphical data like images or ensuring a seamless experience in your favorite RPG game.

Difference between GDDR RAM and RAM Picture 1

On the other hand, RAM is optimized for low latency instead of high bandwidth data transfer.

RAM has a narrow memory bus and, therefore, transfers less data at once. However, RAM is ideal for handling many concurrent operations. That's why you can open various applications on your computer on the go and switch tasks seamlessly.

Apart from bandwidth, GDDR and DDR RAM also differ in some other aspects such as power consumption and latency.

It is also important to note that there are different versions of GDDR RAM and system RAM. As for RAM, there's DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 and DDR5. You can refer to the in-depth article on the meaning of different generations of RAM if you want more details.

GDDR RAM follows similar naming conventions but with some changes. GDDR RAM instances include GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5, GDDR5X, GDDR6 and GDDR6X.

In addition, GDDR RAM and RAM are developed independently. That's why, at the time of writing, the latest generation of GDDR RAM is GDDR6, while the latest RAM version is DDR5.

Different types of RAM for each task

GDDR and DDR RAM are both short-term computer memory, with the difference being in their primary function. GDDR RAM is built into the GPU for graphics-related tasks, while system RAM is connected to the CPU for common computing tasks. However, the CPU and GPU communicate via the PCI express bus.

Lesley Montoya

Update 14 December 2021