Thursday, April 5th 2018
NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 Shipping with DDR4 Instead of GDDR5
Low-end graphics cards usually don't attract much attention from the enthusiasts crowd. Nevertheless, not all computer users are avid gamers, and most average-joe users are perfectly happy with an entry-level graphics card, for example, a GeForce GT 1030. To refresh our memories a bit, NVIDIA launched the GeForce GT 1030 last year to compete against AMD's Radeon RX 550. It was recently discovered that several manufacturers have been shipping a lower-spec'd version of the GeForce GT 1030. According to NVIDIA's official specifications, the reference GeForce GT 1030 was shipped with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory running at 6008 MHz (GDDR5-effective) across a 64-bit wide memory bus which amassed to a memory bandwidth of 48 GB/s. However, some models from MSI, Gigabyte, and Palit come with DDR4 memory operating at 2100 MHz instead. If you do the math, that comes down to a memory bandwidth of 16.8 GB/s which certainly is a huge downgrade, on paper at least. The good news amid the bad is that the DDR4-based variants consume 10W less than the reference model.
Will this memory swap affect real-world performance? Probably. However, we won't know till what extent without proper testing. Unlike the GeForce MX150 fiasco, manufacturers were kind enough to let consumers know the difference between both models this time around. The lower-end DDR4 variant carries the "D4" denotation as part of the graphics card's model or consumers can find the denotation on the box. Beware, though, as not all manufacturers will give you the heads up. For example, Palit doesn't.
Source:
Tom's Hardware
Will this memory swap affect real-world performance? Probably. However, we won't know till what extent without proper testing. Unlike the GeForce MX150 fiasco, manufacturers were kind enough to let consumers know the difference between both models this time around. The lower-end DDR4 variant carries the "D4" denotation as part of the graphics card's model or consumers can find the denotation on the box. Beware, though, as not all manufacturers will give you the heads up. For example, Palit doesn't.
59 Comments on NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 Shipping with DDR4 Instead of GDDR5
But before NVIDIA takes mostly undeserved flak, let's throw in some logic, reasoning, common sense and data for a change. :)
First of all, NVIDIA does not sell [comsumer GPUs based on the] GT 1030 [chip], unlike the title of this click-bait news says.
Secondly, GT 1030 specs page does not list a memory type.
Thirdly, it's up to NVIDIA's partners to specify low speed memory type and, oh, my god, at least MSI is semi-honest about that: GEFORCE GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC and GEFORCE GT 1030 2GHD4 LP OC (there are two more cards with GD4 monikers but I'm too lazy to list them) - see, it's "D4" meaning DDR4.
Fourthly, GT 1030 is such an underpowered chip, lower spec'ed RAM will hardly make it significantly slower than it already is. Hardly anyone buys GT 1030 to game - this chip is barely faster than built-in Coffee Lake graphics.
Fourthly, it must always be up to a buyer to verify his or her purchases against previously known specs.
Sixthly, it's up to NVIDIA's partners to specify the cards which have a worse memory configuration - this is perhaps the only thing you might accuse NVIDIA of.
Now, let's have some serious drama and loud vapid accusations.
Can't say how the DDR4 models will fare, but it depends on the DDR4 mem speed.
We don't need any drama , especially yours.
If so, I've got a couple of bridges to sell you.
If they are going to completely phase out the GDDR5 variant then it just needs to be marked accordingly and problem solved.
Meanwhile I've never defended neither NVIDIA, nor Intel. However talking reasonably about companies and their marketing and product tactics/policy is not welcome here. I get it.
I must love the underdog (AMD) and dismiss or slam everything that Intel and NVIDIA do. Pretty much everything. I get it.
Too bad, in my life I've owned roughly the same share of Intel and AMD CPUs (2 each) and the same share share of NVIDIA and ATI/AMD GPUs (also, 2 of each). I must be mad for choosing the best bang for the buck instead of being a blind faithful fanboy. I get it.
Cheers, fella. I'm replying to your message by mistake: TPU doesn't filter blacklisted people in the news comments section.
You have also committed the cardinal sin of going straight from fourthly to sixthly, with no fifthly. For this you should should be shot at dawn! :laugh:
Finally, check out my graphics card showdown in my siggy. The GT 1030 is actually as fast as a GTX 285 from 2009 and obliterates the legendary 8800 GTX from 2006. Given this, DX12 support, low power etc, it's actually a super top end card when compared to these. Oh and my one does all this passively with no sign of overheating, too. I love how what's considered high end changes with the times. :)
And referring to the article, if these lower end variants had been around when I got my GT 1030, I would have made sure to avoid them. Sure, I only got it to play with and run these benchmarks, but I still want the best variant out there. I don't appreciate companies like Palit hiding such pertinent details.