DDR3 or DDR5 graphics card? What's the difference? - Hardware & Software

So, I was browsing for 1GB DX11 capable graphics cards, and I found 2 ATI's. One of them a DDR3, 36€, the other one a DDR5, 99€. [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX54501GBK3-SH[/url] [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX57701GBD5-MDH[/url] So, I ask you, Facepunch, what is the difference? What advantages/disadvantages does DDR5 offer me? I mean, it's obvious DDR5 will be better, but is the difference big enough for the price tags? And, if I was to get a DDR5 1GB one, is the one I posted alright or would you reccomend me something else? Are there better alternatives?

Ammout of memory =/= performance You linked to 2 completely different cards, a HD 5450 and a HD 5770. The HD 5440 is a low-end card, not designed for gaming. I'm not going to explain the science behind it (that's gman003's job) The HD 5770 is a mid-end card, now we're talking about gaming. If you follow the rule of thumb that "bigger number = better performance", a GDDR5 card will give more performance than a GDDR3 card but that's not always the case. An example is the GT240, it has GDDR5 but its performance is waaaaaaay under the one of a HD 5770. If you want to know the performance of a graphics card, you're better off looking at reviews than comparing the type of memory onboard.

There's more to it than the amount of memory. I'm sure someone would be able do a better job of explaining it than me. EDIT: Agh, shit. Late.

Keep in mind if you're looking for a card around 99 euros then get that 5770.

Also, it's GDDR, not DDR.

Thanks guys, helpful. I like how the people who rated dumb didn't even bother to explain, thanks a lot.

[QUOTE=*Freezorg*;30786734]Thanks guys, helpful. I like how the people who rated dumb didn't even bother to explain, thanks a lot.[/QUOTE] It's just ratings, just ignore them.

Yeah, see? I rated him optimistic, but it's just a rating.

[QUOTE=*Freezorg*;30785789]So, I was browsing for 1GB DX11 capable graphics cards, and I found 2 ATI's. One of them a DDR3, 36€, the other one a DDR5, 99€. [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX54501GBK3-SH[/url] [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX57701GBD5-MDH[/url] So, I ask you, Facepunch, what is the difference? What advantages/disadvantages does DDR5 offer me? I mean, it's obvious DDR5 will be better, but is the difference big enough for the price tags? And, if I was to get a DDR5 1GB one, is the one I posted alright or would you reccomend me something else? Are there better alternatives?[/QUOTE] First, there is no DDR5. Doesn't exist. DDR4 isn't even in prototype phase yet, just specs. There's GDDR5, which is probably what you're talking about. That site seems to mislabel them. GDDR5 is mostly identical to DDR3 - the main difference is a larger prefect buffer. GDDR5 also seems to clock higher, but not by much. Overall, it's basically just DDR3 memory that's optimized for video-card tasks - better stream access, worse random access. But you're ignoring the actually important thing - those cards are vastly different. The cheap one, the 5450, is cheap for a reason - it has only 90 or so cores. The expensive one, the 5770? Over 800. Not to mention the higher clock rate - one's 650mHz, the other 850mHz. And don't forget the power draw - the 5450 uses 19 watts, while the 5770 uses 100+. You'll want to check you even have the power for it. The cards simply aren't comparable based purely on their memory. That's like comparing a Camry and an M1 Abrams based on how many cupholders they have - you're paying way too much attention to the wrong detail. Appendix A: Rough order of performance: GDDR5 DDR3 GDDR4 GDDR3 DDR2 DDR SDR

Can I have access to your mind via SSH at any time, please?

[QUOTE=gman003-main;30788140]First, there is no DDR5. Doesn't exist. DDR4 isn't even in prototype phase yet, just specs. There's GDDR5, which is probably what you're talking about. That site seems to mislabel them. GDDR5 is mostly identical to DDR3 - the main difference is a larger prefect buffer. GDDR5 also seems to clock higher, but not by much. Overall, it's basically just DDR3 memory that's optimized for video-card tasks - better stream access, worse random access. But you're ignoring the actually important thing - those cards are vastly different. The cheap one, the 5450, is cheap for a reason - it has only 90 or so cores. The expensive one, the 5770? Over 800. Not to mention the higher clock rate - one's 650mHz, the other 850mHz. And don't forget the power draw - the 5450 uses 19 watts, while the 5770 uses 100+. You'll want to check you even have the power for it. The cards simply aren't comparable based purely on their memory. That's like comparing a Camry and an M1 Abrams based on how many cupholders they have - you're paying way too much attention to the wrong detail. Appendix A: Rough order of performance: GDDR5 DDR3 GDDR4 GDDR3 DDR2 DDR SDR[/QUOTE] [img]http://puu.sh/2X1e[/img] ? lies!

It's going to take awhile for that to catch on Shadaez, are there even any graphs showing it's performance vs DDR3?

[QUOTE=gman003-main;30788140]And don't forget the power draw - the 5450 uses 19 watts, while the 5770 uses 100+. You'll want to check you even have the power for it. [/QUOTE] My PSU is a Corsair TX 650w, it should be fine, right?

[QUOTE=Shadaez;30788226][img]http://puu.sh/2X1e[/img] ? lies![/QUOTE] Cool. Didn't see that. Last I heard, they'd made RAM at 40nm, the scale DDR4 is supposed to be made on, but they hadn't actually made DDR4 memory. [editline]29th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=*Freezorg*;30788362]My PSU is a Corsair TX 650w, it should be fine, right?[/QUOTE] Depends. How much other stuff is on there drawing power?

A high quality 650w power supply can support SLI GTX 570s, given you don't overclock. He should be fine..

[QUOTE=gman003-main;30788375]Cool. Didn't see that. Last I heard, they'd made RAM at 40nm, the scale DDR4 is supposed to be made on, but they hadn't actually made DDR4 memory. [editline]29th June 2011[/editline] Depends. How much other stuff is on there drawing power?[/QUOTE] Here, have all of my specs: CPU- INTEL CORE I7 920 (2.66GHZ) SKT 1366 BOX (D0) PSU- Corsair TX-650W GPU- Radeon HD 4770 Optical- ASUS DRW-24B1LT DVDRW 24X DL LIGHTSCRIBE SATA Hard Drive- SAMSUNG 1 TB 32 MB CACHE SATA II RAM- CORSAIR KIT 6GB DDR3 1333MHZ XMS3 (CL9) MOTHERBOARD- GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD

You have 6GB RAM and an i7 but you're buying a 5770? Gon' get bottlenecked.

That 4770 is really holding you back [editline]29th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Zezibesh;30788824]You have 6GB RAM and an i7 but you're buying a 5770? Gon' get bottlenecked.[/QUOTE] Yeah anything below a GTX 470/5850 isn't really worth getting with your setup OP

What do you reccomend? How much would a good one cost?

should probably get a 560 [editline]29th June 2011[/editline] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127593[/url]

Damn I love the looks of that card

It's a bit pricey for me though... how about a 6770, is that good? [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX67701GBD5-H[/url]

[QUOTE=Shadaez;30788226][img]http://puu.sh/2X1e[/img] ? lies![/QUOTE] Look at all that wasted PCB space... there could either be more chips there, or less PCB with things condensed.

[QUOTE=LCD;30789491]Look at all that wasted PCB space... there could either be more chips there, or less PCB with things condensed.[/QUOTE] Pro-tip: If it looks like there's wasted space on a PCB, you're missing something. Those engineers will use absolutely every fucking bit of PCB you give them, none will go to waste.

[QUOTE=nikomo;30789616]Pro-tip: If it looks like there's wasted space on a PCB, you're missing something. Those engineers will use absolutely every fucking bit of PCB you give them, none will go to waste.[/QUOTE] Well I used to manufacture PCBs of all sizes, and there was waste galore. They purposely waste space all the time. I even had an engineer I talked to tell me they rather waste the space and space things out than to redesign it condensed. His statement wreaks of laziness.

[QUOTE=*Freezorg*;30789453]It's a bit pricey for me though... how about a 6770, is that good? [url]http://globaldata.pt/index.aspx?p=ProdDetailRef&ProdRef=AX67701GBD5-H[/url][/QUOTE] Dude, just a buy a more expensive one and it will last you a very long time. Don't skimp.

There's only one problem with that... they don't sell that one over here. At least, not on the website I posted. Is there an equivalent card by ATI or something?

6950 1gb

[QUOTE=gman003-main;30788140]First, there is no DDR5. Doesn't exist. DDR4 isn't even in prototype phase yet, just specs. There's GDDR5, which is probably what you're talking about. That site seems to mislabel them. GDDR5 is mostly identical to DDR3 - the main difference is a larger prefect buffer. GDDR5 also seems to clock higher, but not by much. Overall, it's basically just DDR3 memory that's optimized for video-card tasks - better stream access, worse random access. But you're ignoring the actually important thing - those cards are vastly different. The cheap one, the 5450, is cheap for a reason - it has only 90 or so cores. The expensive one, the 5770? Over 800. Not to mention the higher clock rate - one's 650mHz, the other 850mHz. And don't forget the power draw - the 5450 uses 19 watts, while the 5770 uses 100+. You'll want to check you even have the power for it. The cards simply aren't comparable based purely on their memory. That's like comparing a Camry and an M1 Abrams based on how many cupholders they have - you're paying way too much attention to the wrong detail. Appendix A: Rough order of performance: GDDR5 DDR3 GDDR4 GDDR3 DDR2 DDR SDR[/QUOTE] I love you.

6950... that exists. The 2GB version too.