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View Full Version : Are GDDR3 and DDR3 interchnageable on a Mobo?


mitchsc
Feb 25, 2011, 07:07 PM
My son bought an eMachines (I know :() ET1352G-03w PC.

The box says is has 4GB DDR3 Ram. I opened it to see about expansion, and noted the Ram cards are GDDR3-1333.

From what I have read, GDDR3 is graphics memory. I can't seem to find out much about it.

The eMachines website specs for this PC also say DDR3 Ram.

Are they the same?
Can you mix GDDR3 with DDR3 if I want to add memory?

Thanks...

cdad
Feb 25, 2011, 07:56 PM
Their website says DDR3 / 1333 mhz


????????????????? (http://support.gateway.com/emachines/desktop/2010/emachines/et/ET1352G/ET1352Gsp2.shtml)

http://support.gateway.com/us/en/emachines/desktop/2010/emachines/et/ET1352G/ET1352Gnv.shtml

ITstudent2006
Feb 25, 2011, 11:43 PM
GDDR3

Can you upload a photo of the RAM?

mitchsc
Feb 26, 2011, 11:18 AM
CADad: I know. The box says the same thing. But the ram card says GDDR3-1333. Is there a difference?

ITStudent: Happy to upload a photo. Never done it, and can't seem to figure out how. Can you tell me please?

Weird Side Note: I never got an email that this question had been answered by 2 members. That's never happened before. Anyone else noticing that? I checked my settings and all is well there.

ITstudent2006
Feb 26, 2011, 11:35 AM
To upload a photo you must be in the advanced answer mode (I am not using GO, so it may vary for you if you are)

Click Attachments > Browse for picture on local PC > Upload (there are parameters)

ITstudent2006
Feb 26, 2011, 11:37 AM
This is just me thinking out loud but GDDR3 is DDR2 with some extra pop. (graphics optimization).

We all know that when you put 4GB of memory in a PC, you never actually get 4GB. That's because different things (ie: graphicscard) uses some of the memory)
What if instead of the graphics cards pulling from memory this new GDDR3 allots some for this purpose, thus keeping your memory for more important things... that is the only thing I can think of.

UPDATE
Just read an article that stated the above statement is exactly what GDDR3 does. Not sure if it's true or not but they also said very few boards are compatible to run both. I will check out your MOBO specs when I get home!

cdad
Feb 26, 2011, 11:51 AM
I wouldn't worry about it. Just use what is recommended by the manufacturer. You only have 4 slots and unless your going to run 64 bit OS you are maxed out on memory.

What OS are you running?

mitchsc
Feb 26, 2011, 04:44 PM
Thanks to all for the research and time to answer this.

It is Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

The question that remains is this. The manufacturer recommends DDR3. But they installed GDDR3. So is this memory interchangeable and mixable?

If I wanted to add more ram, do I need to use GDDR3, or can I just add DDR3 to the existing 2 sticks of GDDR3?

Note: as far as adding a photo, in the new AMHD format, I don't see an "Advanced" button. But I know it is in the old format.

mitchsc
Feb 26, 2011, 04:47 PM
By the way, I am still not getting any emails from your responses. This is a new problem, as I have always received email notifications. I checked my settings and everything looks good. Any ideas what is wrong here?

cdad
Feb 26, 2011, 04:57 PM
Go ahead with the factory recommendations. There really shouldn't be a problem.

mitchsc
Feb 26, 2011, 07:16 PM
Do you think I can mix them (GDDR3 and DDR3)?

cdad
Feb 26, 2011, 07:46 PM
Do you think I can mix them (GDDR3 and DDR3)?

Under normal conditions I would say no. But since your MOBO seems to have DDR3 sockets so long as its set to automatic it should be OK. It will default to the lowest common setting.

mitchsc
Feb 27, 2011, 06:24 AM
I didn't know there were settings, such as "automatic" for RAM.

Where would that be in XP, or is it in Bios?

cdad
Feb 27, 2011, 06:47 AM
I didn't know there were settings, such as "automatic" for RAM.

Where would that be in XP, or is it in Bios?

That would be in the "Bios". Same place you would use to tweak it if you were wanting to run "OC". Not something I recommend.


OC = overclocking

mitchsc
Feb 27, 2011, 09:13 AM
Thank you. I never knew about that...