Our world is moving towards digitization at a very fast speed. Everything is all computer and electronics-based nowadays. Everything is available in digital form, from a document to someone’s identity.
When it comes to documents, everything is done on the computer using the Internet.
But to work smoothly, it is important to make sure all the work done is stored properly. For that, various companies are making various forms of storage and dynamic memories, and the most common are GDDR3 and DDR3.
Both of them are very similar yet different in their ways. Not only different with components but also have different applications.
Key Takeaways
- GDDR3 is a type of graphics memory with a higher bandwidth and clock speed than DDR3, making it more suitable for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications.
- DDR3, on the other hand, is a type of system memory with lower latency and power consumption than GDDR3, making it more suitable for general-purpose computing tasks.
- GDDR3 and DDR3 are not interchangeable, and their respective benefits and drawbacks must be carefully considered when selecting memory for a specific application.
GDDR3 vs DDR3
The difference between GDDR3 and DDR3 is DDR3 is used for processors, and GDDR3 is used for graphics. They are also different in terms of affordability and Speed. GDDR3 indeed has the upper hand in speed over the DDR3, but when it comes to affordability, DDR3 is very much ahead of it.
GDDR3 is graphics double data rate 3, and G is for graphics which means that it is used only for high-performance graphic cards. It is much faster and more expensive than the DDR3 and is used for Xbox 360 and PS3.
It comes in the form of chips that cannot be easily replaced.
DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) is a type of synchronous dynamic random access memory. It has been used since 2007 and has a high bandwidth interface. It is a memory used for the system’s processor and is easily affordable.
It comes in modules that are easily replaced and upgraded. It comes in an affordable range.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | GDDR3 | DDR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | It is a type of memory for graphics. | It is a type of memory for the processor. |
| Used for | It is used for graphic cards. | It is used for system memory. |
| Affordable | Comparatively less affordable | More affordable |
| Speed | It is Faster | It is Slower |
| Comes in | It is available in the form of chips. | It comes in modules. |
What is GDDR3?
Graphical Double Data Rate 3 is the computer memory for the graphics. It has all the features of DDR2 along with some additional advanced features. These advanced features include a reduction in the requirement of heat and power dispersion.
It was first introduced in 1998. It is designed by ATI, which is also known as Radeon Technologies Group. Sony also chose the Graphical Double Data Rate 3 for the graphic memory of the PlayStation 3’s gaming console.
Advantages of Graphical double data rate 3:
- It can reset the hardware. In other words, it is known as hardware reset capability. This will allow clearing all the data from memory and giving it a new start.
- It uses very little power if we compare it to DDR2, which further leads to less heat dispersion.
- It has higher cloak frequencies which benefit by providing more precise timings and increased throughputs.
- Graphical double data rate 3 is easy to manufacture.
- Low price is something which is always recommended and considered, and this GDDR3 is also available at a low price.
- It is quick in reading-to-write ratio compared to many, as its strobe is unidirectional and single-ended too.
What is DDR3?
Double Data Rate 3 is a dynamic random access memory that is synchronous, which further is the type of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory) if we see the classifications.
It is faster and provides better features than the DDR and DDR2. It is DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) interface by the specification. It has been in use since the year 2007. It belongs to the 3rd generation and has a clock rate of 400 to 1066MHz.
It can transfer the data at a double speed if the comparison is made with the immediate predecessor, which is DDR2 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3-synchronous dynamic random access memory). It is labelled with PC3L on its modules and has a standard of 1.35 V. It also has dual-inline memory modules with 240 pins, making it compatible with DDR2 regarding electricity.
Features:
- It supports system-level flight-time compensations.
- It leads to the introduction of CWL, which is CAS write latency as per cloak bin.
- It contains calibration resistance with high precision.
- It has a higher performance of bandwidth which is up to 2133 MT/s at standards.
- It performs well at lower power, too, if compared with DDR2.
- It has READ and WRITE calibration.
Main Differences Between GDDR3 and DDR3
- GDDR3 stands for Global Double Data Rate 3, and DDR3 stands for Double Data Rate 3.
- DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) is the main storage in the system, and GDDR3 is used for graphics only.
- In comparison, GDDR3 (Global Double Data Rate 3) is much faster than DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) reason behind this could be the storage requirement of the Graphic is more than the processor.
- Due to the faster features, GDDR3 (Global Double Data Rate 3) costs a little more than DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) and therefore is expensive.
- Upgrading or replacing DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) is very easy and can be done at home by anyone, whereas replacing or upgrading a GDDR3 (Global Double Data Rate 3) is not possible.
- DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) comes in the form of modules, but GDDR3 (Global Double Data Rate 3) comes in distinct chips.
- The addresses of GDDR3 (Global Double Data Rate 3) an easily written and read at once, but it is not the same as DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3).
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1696091/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4977347/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5504196/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5357550/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6566109/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/14/7/11542
Last Updated : 24 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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