Comparing GDDR7 vs GDDR6X: Specs – The Future of Graphics Memory

As the demand for high-performance computing continues to grow, the evolution of graphics memory technology is a critical factor in meeting this need. The graphics memory space has seen significant advancements over the years, with GDDR6X currently being one of the most advanced memory technologies in use.

Also Read: GDDR6 vs GDDR7

However, the future holds even more promise with the anticipated arrival of GDDR7. In this blog post, we will compare these two technologies, GDDR6X and the yet-to-be-released GDDR7, based on the information available as of now.

GDDR7 vs GDDR6X Comparison Table:

Understanding the differences between PAM4 and PAM3:

Whether PAM4 or PAM3 is “better” largely depends on the specific application and system requirements. PAM4, with its four signal levels, can transmit 2 bits per symbol, making it a good choice for high data rate applications.

However, it requires a higher signal-to-noise ratio, which can be challenging in noisy environments or over long distances. On the other hand, PAM3, with its three signal levels, can transmit 1.5 bits per symbol.

It offers a higher data rate than PAM4 for the same frequency and requires a lower signal-to-noise ratio, making it potentially more robust in certain scenarios. Therefore, the choice between PAM4 and PAM3 should be based on a balance of data rate requirements, noise considerations, and system design constraints.

GDDR6X: The Current Standard

GDDR6X, developed by Micron, is currently one of the market’s most advanced graphics memory technologies. It offers data rates of up to 24 Gbps, which is significantly improved over its predecessor, GDDR6. The encoding method used in GDDR6X is PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 levels), which allows it to transmit more data per cycle compared to the binary encoding used in GDDR6. The bandwidth varies based on implementation, with the Nvidia RTX 3090, for instance, achieving up to 912 GB/s with a 384-bit bus.

GDDR7: The Future of Graphics Memory

GDDR7, though not yet released as of the time of writing, promises to bring about significant improvements in graphics memory technology. It is expected to use PAM3 encoding, a method that sits between NRZ/PAM2 and PAM4, using three-level pulse amplitude modulation (-1, 0, +1) signaling. This allows it to transmit 1.5 bits per cycle, offering a higher data transmission rate per cycle than NRZ and requiring a laxer signal-to-noise ratio than PAM4.

The projected data rates for GDDR7 are as high as 36 Gbps per pin, a 50% improvement over the current 24 Gbps offered by GDDR6X. This could potentially lead to a peak bandwidth of up to 1.7 TB/s with a 384-bit bus. Additionally, GDDR7 is expected to provide lower power consumption and implementation costs than GDDR6X, making it an attractive option for future high-performance computing applications.

Conclusion

While GDDR6X currently represents the pinnacle of graphics memory technology, the future looks even brighter with the anticipated arrival of GDDR7. With its higher data rates, improved power efficiency, and lower implementation costs, GDDR7 could significantly enhance the performance of future graphics cards and other high-performance computing applications.

However, it’s important to note that these are projected specifications, and actual results may vary once GDDR7 is released and implemented in devices. As always, we recommend staying tuned for the latest updates in this exciting technology field.

Also Read:

• HBM2 vs GDDR6 – Memory Specifications Comparison
• GDDR5 vs GDDR6 – What is The Difference?