GDDR5 vs GDDR6 | Which Is The Best?
A Graphics DDR SDRAM can be defined as a synchronous dynamic random-access memory unit. This RAM is designed specifically to cater to the memory needs of graphics processing units.
This is what sets it apart from all other kinds of RAMs. With graphics in PCs have come a long way GDDRS have evolved as well. There are now 6 generations of GDDRS and counting. Now when you're building up a PC setup, you'll have to make a choice of a GPU based on the GDDR it has.
Since all of the older generations of GDDRS are on their way to becoming obsolete, you'll have to choose between GDDR5 vs GDDR6 to get the best possible performance.
The purpose of this article is to help you out with that choice. There isn't a single right choice here, so let's compare all of the factors involved and which GDDR caters to your needs in the most efficient way.
gddr5 vs gddr6
Gddr5
GDDR5 has been a significant advancement for GPUs and graphics. The low latency in this RAM makes it a class apart from all of the previous generation ones.
On average, GDDR5 can provide the user speeds up to 8 GB per sec. All of the data is perfectly safe with the high bandwidth memory that these kinds of graphic DDR rams provide. Their performance is consistent and will never be subpar. The best part is how efficient it is with the low power consumption.
The GDDR5 caters to all kinds of setups and has a wide range of compatibility. They come in options of 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB. Overall, this is the right choice for those consumers who are trying to add more parts to boost up their existing setups.
The reason for this is that most technology made in the past few years are more likely to be compatible with GDDR5 in comparison to other generations.
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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ASUS PH-GTX1050TI-4G GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GDDR5 Graphics Card | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon | |
MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 128-Bit HDMI/DP 6GB GDRR5 HDCP Support... | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon | |
MSI VGA Graphic Cards RX 580 ARMOR 8G OC | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon |
Gddr6
GDDR6 is the latest version of graphics-oriented and has a lot more innovations than its predecessors. It has an increased capacity, as well as a much higher bandwidth. Unlike previous generations that had one channel, the GDDR6 has dual channels. This helps you handle different sets of workloads at the same time. You can read and write memory parallel at the same time in different parts of the memory.
The distinctive feature of the GDDR6 is the design. This graphics RAM is specifically made to be compatible with new chip structures where chips are stacked. So all of the latest techs which use stacked chip designs are perfectly compatible with gddr6.
The transfer speeds are at a whole other level with gddr6. With units of the 6th Gen, you can reach transfer speeds of up to 16 Gbps. It also supports high bandwidths of up to 72 GB per second. Overall this is for consumers that want to build new PC setups with the latest enhancements available. This is the best available option to enhance a computer's graphics.
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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2021_ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super Twin Fan 6GB GDDR6 192-bit... | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon | |
RTX3070 | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon | |
Sapphire 11306-01-20G Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT Gaming Graphics... | No ratings yet | Check Price On Amazon |
GDDR5 VS GDDR6 - Verdict
GDDR6 is undoubtedly the faster option. This is the latest technology and blends very well with the latest setups. In terms of performance and features, it is way ahead of the GDDR5. With dual channels, it is much better for multitasking as well. Anyone who is a professional gamer, streamer, or content creator/ editor should go for it without any hesitation.
However, this does not mean that the GDDR5 is obsolete or has no advantages over the GDDR6. With the GDDR5, you can enjoy a wider range of options when it comes to memory starting right from 512MB up to 8GB. So this caters to a diverse range of people.
When you're just a casual user who needs a PC for office use, recreational gaming, or home use, then this is the right choice. The GDDR5 is more likely to be compatible with your setup as well because the GDDR6 is made exclusively for stacked chip designs.
Conclusion
Although the GDDR6 is a significant advancement from the GDDR5 and offers better features in various parameters, you can't objectively claim it to be better than the GDDR5. This is because both these RAMs cater to different needs with their design. The consumer choice is not homogenous. Each consumer will prefer whichever product meets their requirements better.
The GDDR6 is targeted towards the consumers that look to have the highest possible performance from their graphics unit, irrespective of the cost. The GDDR5 is targeted at a less professional user who will need more diversity and compatibility from their graphic RAM.
The extra features of the GDDR6 serve them no purpose because their usage doesn't need it. This article was written with the intention of helping the reader determine what they will need from a Graphics DDR SDRAM after the needs are determined to compare GDDR5 vs GDDR6 to see which is the better choice.