GDDR5 vs GDDR5X vs GDDR6: Key Differences Explained

This article compares GDDR5, GDDR5X, and GDDR6, highlighting the key differences between these Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR) memory types.

Introduction to GDDR Memory

GDDR SDRAM is a type of memory specifically designed for use in video and graphics cards. It offers significant advantages over standard DDR memory, including higher bandwidth, lower power consumption and heat output, enhanced performance, greater capacity, and faster speeds. The most recent iterations of GDDR memory are GDDR5, GDDR5X, and GDDR6.

GDDR5

GDDR5 memory is manufactured by companies like Samsung, Hynix, and Elpida. It’s a widely adopted standard, found in a variety of graphics cards across different price ranges, such as the GT 740, GTX 1070, and RX 480. GDDR5 chips are typically square or rectangular in shape. Beyond graphics cards, it’s also well-suited for game consoles and high-performance computing applications.

Key features of GDDR5 include data eye optimization, adaptive interface timing, and robust data integrity.

GDDR5 Features:

• Maximum capacity: 8GB per die
• Maximum speed: 8 Gbps
• Bus width: 32 bit per chip
• Power consumption: Low

GDDR5X

GDDR5X memory is primarily manufactured by Micron. You’ll find it used in high-end graphics cards like the GeForce GTX 1080, GTX 1080 Ti, GTX 1060, and the NVIDIA Titan X (Pascal). Like GDDR5, it also comes in a square or rectangular form factor.

GDDR5X Features:

• Maximum capacity: 16GB per die
• Maximum speed: 10 to 14 Gbps
• Bus width: 64 bit per chip
• Density: 8 GB (JEDEC up to 16 GB)
• Performance: 10 to 12 Gbps (JEDEC 10 to 16 Gbps)
• I/O configuration: x16/x32
• Channel count: 1 channel
• Access Granularity: 64B/32B (PC mode)
• Package: FBGA190, 0.65 mm pitch, 14 x 10 mm
• VDD/VDDQ/VPP: 1.35V/1.35V/1.8V

GDDR6

GDDR6 is the successor to both GDDR5 and GDDR5X. It’s built using a 10nm process and is manufactured by Samsung, Hynix, and Micron. This memory type is used in diverse applications including gaming, virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and even cryptocurrency mining.

GDDR6 Features:

• Speed: Up to 16 Gbps (or up to 18 GB/s)
• Density: 8 GB & 16 GB (JEDEC up to 32 GB), up to 32 GB per die
• Performance: 12 to 14 Gbps (JEDEC 10 to 16 Gbps)
• I/O configuration: x8/x16 (per channel)
• Channel count: 2 channels
• Access Granularity: 64B (PC mode) /32B per channel
• Package: FBGA180, 0.75 mm pitch, 14 x 12 mm
• VDD/VDDQ/VPP: 1.35V/1.35V/1.8V

Feature Comparison: GDDR5, GDDR5X, and GDDR6

The following table provides a consolidated comparison of the features of GDDR5, GDDR5X, and GDDR6.

Image Courtesy: Micron