Difference between DDR, DDR2, GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3?

Goi · Apr 1, 2006

Hi,
Are there any articles that focus on the description and differences among these memory standards? I know the conceptual basics of a few of the(eg DDR2 has ODT and OCD for better signal quality and timing, and they all have different voltage signalling levels) but I'd like some more in-depth details, preferably with memory timing diagrams etc.

Thanks!

Goi · Apr 1, 2006

anyone?

BassBomb · Apr 1, 2006

DDR and DDR2 .. are desktop ram, uesd in graphics cards too however

DDR = lower latency , lower speeds
DDR2 = higher latecny, but higher speeds (eventually to make more bandwitH) DDR2 is also lower power, lower heat than DDR1

GDDR is a fancy name for DDR1 in graphics cards.. most cards nowadays are not GDDR

GDDR2 fancy name for DDR2 in graphics cards... these had a limited run as they proved not very efficient in use (as seen on 9800XT, 6600 etc)

GDDR3 is not a fancy name for DDR3 on a graphics card as these came out first, i believe they have lower power and heat requirements compared to GDDR2 hence the quick replacement by the industry with GDDR3 parts

note DDR2 DDR3 doesnt mean you multiply clock speed by more ... its still DUAL DATA RATE!

DDR3 expects to make its appearance on desktops in 2007

Maximilian · Apr 1, 2006

Nice to know, i always wondered if GDDR was different from DDR, suppose it just stand for Graphical Dual Data Rate if its simply DDR on a graphics card.

BassBomb · Apr 1, 2006

essentially the same, but timings may have been better than the DDR1 dekstop counterparts at the same time of availability

Gamingphreek · Apr 1, 2006

Originally posted by: BassBomb
DDR and DDR2 .. are desktop ram, uesd in graphics cards too however

DDR = lower latency , lower speeds
DDR2 = higher latecny, but higher speeds (eventually to make more bandwitH) DDR2 is also lower power, lower heat than DDR1

GDDR is a fancy name for DDR1 in graphics cards.. most cards nowadays are not GDDR

GDDR2 fancy name for DDR2 in graphics cards... these had a limited run as they proved not very efficient in use (as seen on 9800XT, 6600 etc)

GDDR3 is not a fancy name for DDR3 on a graphics card as these came out first, i believe they have lower power and heat requirements compared to GDDR2 hence the quick replacement by the industry with GDDR3 parts

note DDR2 DDR3 doesnt mean you multiply clock speed by more ... its still DUAL DATA RATE!

DDR3 expects to make its appearance on desktops in 2007

Eh pretty good explanation, however you have one thing fundamentally wrong:

While they do share the same name, there is some additional differences between DDR (Double Data Rate) and GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate). I believe the GDDR uses a different manufacturing process. Additionally, they are not on a chip that you can install; they are soldered onto the motherboard, which therefore allows for much higher clockspeeds, with less voltage, and less heat. However it decreases upgradability because you cannot upgrade your RAM on your video card (I remember the old G200 that had that capability though )

-Kevin

Edit: Additionally, GDDR2 was not used in the 9800XT. The 5800 used GDDR2, however ATI stayed away from this technology and went straight to GDDR3. IIRC the only other card currently using GDDR2 is the 6600 (Not GT, Non LE), and SOME X1600's.

Goi · Apr 1, 2006

I was hoping for a bit more details, such as the differences between the commands, and differences in timing etc. Stuff like ODT, OCD, posted CAS and various other features that make one standard different from another.

Gamingphreek · Apr 1, 2006

Originally posted by: Goi
I was hoping for a bit more details, such as the differences between the commands, and differences in timing etc. Stuff like ODT, OCD, posted CAS and various other features that make one standard different from another.

I would have to do some research. The only way you are going to find the latency settings/timings is to use a Video BIOS editor or something as those settings are not normally accessible.

-Kevin

Goi · Apr 1, 2006

Thanks. I wasn't looking to adjust anything. I just wanted to understand the differences conceptually

Anyway, I found a couple of papers on the JEDEC website as well as on a few memory manufacturer websites that go into a bit more detail.

Anto_452 · Jun 17, 2025

I found an old EEE PC 701SD and decided to pull the GDDR2 unslodered ram from it to use in a DDR2 motherboard would this be possible or would it cause errors?

Difference between DDR, DDR2, GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3?

Goi

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Goi

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BassBomb

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Maximilian

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BassBomb

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Gamingphreek

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Goi

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Gamingphreek

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Goi

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Anto_452

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