GDDR7 reminiscence is the subsequent era of graphics card reminiscence that’s already powering among the greatest graphics playing cards accessible proper now. Whereas many nonetheless use some model of GDDR6 or GDDR6X reminiscence, GDDR7 VRAM is quicker nonetheless, and extra power environment friendly.
Right here’s every part we learn about GDDR7.
What’s GDDR7?
GDDR7 is the most recent era of GPU RAM that the majority next-generation graphics playing cards will finally make the most of to reinforce their accessible bandwidth and reminiscence capability. As fashionable video games have begun to demand extra from graphics playing cards, avid gamers want extra GPU reminiscence. We’re seeing even low-setting AAA video games profit from 12GB or extra of VRAM, so any next-generation playing cards are more likely to include better portions all through the product stack.
Efficiency is the massive improve with GDDR7, with reminiscence as quick as 36 Gbps. That’s greater than 50% extra bandwidth than GDDR6X and rather more than GDDR6. (Producer Micron detailed the manufacturing course of, claiming that its GDDR7 VRAM used a deep ultraviolet lithography printing course of, constructed on its newest 1-beta, or 1ß, course of node.)
Power effectivity is one other key improve, with new learn clock modes that permit the reminiscence to be learn in numerous fashions to maximise effectivity and scale back general energy consumption. When GDDR7 is obtainable for gaming laptops, it would allow both better battery life or, extra probably, bigger portions of video reminiscence to enhance gaming efficiency.
Questioning should you want a VRAM improve? Right here’s tips on how to test how a lot VRAM your graphics card has.
GDDR7 vs. GDDR6 vs. GDDR6X
Earlier than GDDR7, the quickest graphics reminiscence accessible on fashionable graphics playing cards just like the Nvidia RTX 4080 was GDDR6X reminiscence, operating at 22.4 Gbps. AMD’s RX 7000 graphics playing cards solely use GDDR6 reminiscence, with a most efficiency of 20 Gbps.
Compared, GDDR7 can probably run at as much as 36 Gbps. That’s an enormous improve, probably unlocking an enormous enhance in reminiscence bandwidth. It’s hoped that this might alleviate some VRAM bandwidth problems with the last-generation midrange playing cards which have suffered from poor reminiscence portions and restricted reminiscence bus-widths. Nevertheless, the added price of GDDR7 might imply it stays an solely high-end graphics card function for the primary era, no less than.
What GPUs function GDDR7?
GDDR7 VRAM turned accessible to producers in early 2024. Up to now, AMD has not moved over to GDDR7. Nevertheless, in January 2025 Nvidia launched two GDDR7 GPUs, the RTX 5080 and the sooner RTX 5090 playing cards.
AMD has but to substantiate when it would launch playing cards with GDDR7 VRAM, preferring as a substitute to stay with GDDR6. Because it has additionally averted utilizing GDDR6X, holding again on upgrading its line appears to be a value saving measure.
