NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 Shipping with DDR4 Instead of GDDR5

[Chino]

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.


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[birdie]

Not enough drama!

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.

 

[R0H1T]

Not enough drama!

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.

WTH are you talking about, the GDDR5 models are at least 2x faster than any Intel IGP out there, except the Iris/Pro parts

Can't say how the DDR4 models will fare, but it depends on the DDR4 mem speed.

 

[Bruno Vieira]

Not enough drama!

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.

You are the one doing drama here

 

[R-T-B]

First of all, NVIDIA does not sell [comsumer GPUs based on the] GT 1030 [chip], unlike the title of this click-bait news says.

Where? All the title implies is that an NVIDIA based card is being downgraded, it doesn't say by whom.

 

[Eric3988]

All I know is that when this happens to Radeon cards, the forum explodes with outrage, but when Team Green cards are getting downgraded nobody cares. The sad part is that us power users will know the difference, so if we put together a PC for mom or dad, this won't be an issue. The problem is when mom or dad get a PC with this in there and they're still getting buffering on their youtube videos or are getting low FPS on solitaire

 

[dj-electric]

All i wanna know is how it effects performance

 

[the54thvoid]

All i wanna know is how it effects performance

From not very good to still not very good.

 

[jabbadap]

Not enough drama!

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.

No but they list the memory speed and chip speed, which are both lowered with these new cards(note there's no UP-TO speeds anywhere on the spec list). But yeah, this is nothing new with low end graphics cards and Nvidia will most probably update the specs page in future(take a gt 730 specs for example).

 

[Vya Domus]

Not enough drama!

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.

Sure thing , number one Nvidia and Intel defender. Coming out of the woodwork every time you spot your favorite color being critiqued , huh ?

We don't need any drama , especially yours.

 

[GoldenX]

Why didn't they use a new name, GT 1020 for example? Naming and product specs are always a mess on the low end.

 

[Assimilator]

Nobody cares because nobody buys a POS card like this for gaming. Personally I think the lower power consumption is far more useful for its intended market than bandwidth that is either never going to be used, or end up being irrelevant because other areas of the card are just too slow. Considering the card's TDP is 30W, shaving 10W off that is a massive improvement that makes me wonder why these things aren't passively cooled.

Beware, though, as not all manufacturers will give you the heads up. For example, Palit doesn't.

I feel like they aren't going to bother with small details like that on a 3D render.

WTH are you talking about, the GDDR5 models are at least 2x faster than any Intel IGP out there, except the Iris/Pro parts

If you're buying this card as an upgrade from an IGP, you're doing something so very, very wrong.

Where? All the title implies is that an NVIDIA based card is being downgraded, it doesn't say by whom.

Are you honestly going to claim with a straight face that most users of this traditionally pro-AMD forum are not going to jump to the obvious conclusion? Especially when most of the users who jump into AMD/NVIDIA threads are either the cheerleaders or detractors whose only "contribution" consists of slagging off the "enemy" team? As we have seen aptly demonstrated in this very thread?

If so, I've got a couple of bridges to sell you.

 

[GoldenX]

Only use for the 1030 is a cheap GPU for a Ryzen build, upgrading for an old Core2Duo/Phenom II/FX, or having something good for Vulkan and specially OpenGL coding.

 

[R0H1T]

If you're buying this card as an upgrade from an IGP, you're doing something so very, very wrong.

I'm not, I just have it in my laptop as an MX150. Also I was correcting him when he said CFL IGP can match the GT 1030, it doesn't & the regular GDDR5 models are 2x as fast. Thirdly, depending on whether you get the DDR4 version or GDDR5, you're numbers (gaming or otherwise) could drop anywhere between 20 to 60% easily due to the limited bandwidth that 64bit wide bus (DDR4) will provide.

 

[spectatorx]

What... isn't that a typo? DDR4? Not even GDDR4? Are you sure?

 

[Readlight]

it usually is in desktop prebuilt computers. useless card on what you can not do anything.

 

[Assimilator]

What... isn't that a typo? DDR4? Not even GDDR4? Are you sure?

That's correct, GDDR4 only ever shipped on a handful of products because GDDR3 is cheaper and GDDR5 (which arrived shortly after) is faster. I'm guessing plain-Jane DDR4 is used because it sips less power than the G- variants.

 

[GhostRyder]

Meh, who cares as long as its marked differently from the GDDR5 counterparts. Its such a low end card as is it makes sense to have some lower end memory as well. Not going to be gaming on it much at least anyways, its mostly for system to have a better than stock GPU performance for light tasks. I use something small and similar in my Dell server just to give it better output, let a friend play some very light games on it should the need arise, and to boost performance a bit in some of the tasks I have it do.

If they are going to completely phase out the GDDR5 variant then it just needs to be marked accordingly and problem solved.

 

[Xzibit]

Not part of the GPP ?

The GeForce Partner Program is designed to ensure that gamers have full transparency into the GPU platform and software they’re being sold, and can confidently select products that carry the NVIDIA GeForce promise.

 

[birdie]

Sure thing , number one Nvidia and Intel defender. Coming out of the woodwork every time you spot your favorite color being critiqued , huh ?

We don't need any drama , especially yours.

Transgressing to ad hominem attacks - I see. Attacking the opponent, instead of his arguments - I see.

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.

 

[Vya Domus]

However talking reasonably about companies and their marketing and product tactics/policy is not welcome here.

You are not doing any of that buddy , don't kid yourself. This was no "ad hominem attack ", just saying what I see.

I'm replying to your message by mistake: .

Well , then don't reply back ... by mistake. However that works.

 

[qubit]

Now, let's have some serious drama and loud vapid accusations.

You have stated facts and reasoned argument, so are therefore a bad person to have rotten eggs thrown at! I know, I've been there so many times, buddy.

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!

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.

 

[Moofachuka]

You are the one doing drama here

He was the one complaining not enough drama so he created some...

 

[T4C Fantasy]

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/first-ddr4-gpu.242869/

 

[windwhirl]

Why doesn't Nvidia just outright block anything other than GDDR5 on their GPUs?.