GDDR7 reminiscence is the subsequent era of graphics card reminiscence that’s already powering a number of the greatest graphics playing cards obtainable proper now. Whereas many nonetheless use some model of GDDR6 or GDDR6X reminiscence, GDDR7 VRAM is quicker nonetheless, and extra vitality environment friendly.
Right here’s all the things we learn about GDDR7.
What’s GDDR7?
GDDR7 is the newest era of GPU RAM that almost all next-generation graphics playing cards will ultimately make the most of to boost their obtainable 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 larger portions all through the product stack.
Efficiency is the large improve with GDDR7, with reminiscence as quick as 36 Gbps. That’s greater than 50% extra bandwidth than GDDR6X and way 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 several fashions to maximise effectivity and scale back total energy consumption. When GDDR7 is obtainable for gaming laptops, it is going to allow both larger battery life or, extra possible, bigger portions of video reminiscence to enhance gaming efficiency.
Questioning for those who want a VRAM improve? Right here’s tips on how to verify how a lot VRAM your graphics card has.
GDDR7 vs. GDDR6 vs. GDDR6X
Earlier than GDDR7, the quickest graphics reminiscence obtainable 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.
As compared, GDDR7 can probably run at as much as 36 Gbps. That’s an enormous improve, probably unlocking an enormous improve 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 value of GDDR7 might imply it stays an solely high-end graphics card characteristic for the primary era, at the very least.
What GPUs characteristic GDDR7?
GDDR7 VRAM turned obtainable to producers in early 2024. To this point, AMD has not moved over to GDDR7. Nevertheless, in January 2025 Nvidia launched two GDDR7 GPUs, the RTX 5080 and the quicker RTX 5090 playing cards.
AMD has but to substantiate when it is going to 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 price saving measure.
