GDDR5 - what is this on the video card? The fifth generation of DDR SDRAM

Those who for the first time decided to build their own PC or to understand its insides begin to come across a huge number of incomprehensible terms. When we open the housing cover, we see a lot of wires, plates, fans, radiators, etc. In order not to call the wizard once again and not to contact friends, it's easier to figure out yourself.

Today we will talk about such an interesting concept as GDDR5. That this, many do not know, some I can assume, others are aware and understand. In order not to confuse the reader, it is worthwhile to say that GDDR5 is a memory. What it relates to and where it is, we will find out further.

Video memory

In order not to throw out a bunch of terms on an ignorant person, it's better to approach from the other side. We all know about the motherboard, which is located in the PC case. It connects the processor, power supply, video card, RAM and other elements. In addition to the fact that there is operational memory of the system itself, there is also a similar notion in the video card.

Hence the term video memory appears. In fact, this is the same as the RAM, but it is specifically responsible for storing the part of the information that is needed to play the image on the screen. Unlike the RAM of the whole system, this one answers only, roughly speaking, for the video. Therefore, the video memory chips were placed on the video card.

Start

Begin the acquaintance with different RAM from the very first variation. The oldest kind of "RAM" is DDR memory. Now, probably, it is impossible to find motherboards with this type. The operating voltage was 2.5 volts. Naturally, looking back at all types already available, we can safely say that DDR memory consumed the most electricity.

Variety

Before we learn about what GDDR5 is on the video card, we'll have to sort out the diversity. The type of RAM for all time was countless. To describe each one there is no sense, therefore it is necessary to go directly to the point.

In general, the RAM was named DRAM. For the first time it became known to the world during the Second World War. But in its modern manifestation appeared in 1966. For a long time, developers and manufacturers have tried to improve RAM. One of the first types was the PM DRAM in the early 90s of the last century.

But the developers needed to constantly increase the speed and volume of "RAM". After six attempts, a new type of DDR SDRAM appears on the market. It began to differ from previous versions with increased data transfer speed (twice). This type was first installed in video cards. Over time, developers decided to use RAM on chipsets.

The basis

It is believed that GDDR5 appeared precisely thanks to DDR SDRAM. This fifth version, which was formed for applications. These software required high bandwidth. The predecessor of this option was the memory of the fourth generation. Both were based on DDR3. The communication channel became doubled, buffers appeared at a width of 8 bits.

It is interesting that many manufacturers worked on this type. So in the research "circle" got Hynix, Qimonda, Samsung and JEDEC. The surprise was that AMD worked with them. The work took a very long time, and three years passed from the very beginning to the finish. During this time the developers managed to achieve excellent results.

Then many people learned about GDDR5, what it is and for what. But not everyone could use this memory, since its specifications were still being formed. So at the beginning of its path the chips worked at a low voltage of 1.5 V, while the density was 0.5-2 Gb. Their frequency reached 4000 MHz, and after some time it was possible to raise this figure to 7000 MHz.

In 2009, a chip with a density of 1 Gbit appeared, a year later - with a density of 2 Gbit. The last option was formed on a 50-nm process technology. By the beginning of 2015, development has led to excellent results. The density of the chip reached 8 Gbit, and the technical process was used at 20-nm. Such a record holder came out under the leadership of the Korean company Samsung.

Specification

To learn more about GDDR5, what it is and what this memory is for, it is important to consider the main characteristics that are now used by all manufacturers. As it became clear, in the title the letter "G" is responsible for the concept of Graphics. That is, this type of memory is needed to operate the video card.

GDDR5 was released agreed to standardization. Under the control of 8n architecture, with the interface of the dynamics configuration, as well as with technologies that allowed to increase the speed. One chip has a bit capacity of 32 bits and a case has 170 contacts. The process technology is 40 nm.

The frequency can be determined by two factors. If the first shows a value of 1250 MHz, then the second one will be 2500 MHz, that is, twice as much. Manufacturers often indicate different frequencies, but the transmission rate itself will always be the same.

The main advantage of the new product is improved throughput. Unlike the third generation of video memory, the fifth began to work on a bus with a width of 128/256 bits. In many ways it helped to save on some indicators. So, in GDDR3 used 512 bits for the bus. This indicator increased the size of the chip, its packaging, and therefore the cost of the entire model. Video cards with this type consumed more energy.

Introduction

Now we know about GDDR5, that it's video memory, on which the leading manufacturers worked. Not surprisingly, the first model of the video card appeared in 2008 from AMD. It was ATI Radeon HD 4870. It was presented in two variations, which differed in volume: 512 MB and 1 GB.

There were also models from Nvidia Geforce. GDDR5 appeared immediately in a series of maps, among which were: GTX 550, GTX 560, GTX 580, GTX 590, GTX 660, GTX 680, etc. In addition, this type of memory is also found in the fourth version of the console PlayStation. At the same time it was put here as RAM.

conclusions

Summarizing all of the above, it is important to understand that it took a long time after the RAM appeared. Video memory developed and formed. Now the fifth generation is no longer the fastest among all. Relatively recently, another type became known - GDDR5X. It is twice as fast. Nevertheless, GDDR5 is the most popular memory, not only as a component of the video card, but also as independent RAM chips.

Now the main threat that can contribute to the disappearance of this type of memory from the market is that memory has nowhere to develop and improve. In addition, it has not yet been possible to solve the problem with high energy consumption. And although the values relative to previous versions have become much smaller, it still does not solve anything. In addition, given the recent tendency towards overclocking, the problem with increased power consumption is urgent and acute.