GDDR3

GDDR3 is a type of graphics memory designed for use in graphics processing units (GPUs). It is a variant of DDR SDRAM optimized for high bandwidth and parallel access to feed the rendering pipeline. GDDR3 memory was widely used on discrete graphics cards during the mid to late 2000s and served as a successor to GDDR2 before being superseded by newer generations such as GDDR4 and GDDR5.

Development and use: GDDR3 was developed and produced by leading memory manufacturers, including Samsung, Hynix, Micron, and Elpida. It offered higher data rates and greater bandwidth than its predecessor, enabling GPUs to render complex scenes more efficiently. As GPU memory technology progressed, GDDR3 gradually phased out in favor of faster generations, though it remained in use on older cards for several years.

Technical characteristics: GDDR3 employs a wide, high-bandwidth interface and a prefetch architecture that allows high data throughput per memory access. External data transfer rates typically range from about 800 MT/s to 1.6–2.0 Gbps per pin, depending on the device. Memory chips commonly come in densities from a few hundred megabits to 1 gigabit, and are organized on buses of 32, 64, or 128 bits per device, with configurations on a card often totaling 128-bit or 256-bit for higher bandwidth. The operating voltage is generally around 1.5–1.8 V.

Market position and legacy: GDDR3 provided a balance of cost and performance suitable for many mainstream GPUs of its era. It has since been superseded by newer GDDR generations offering higher bandwidth, lower power, and greater densities. Today, GDDR3 is primarily of historical interest and found on older hardware, rather than contemporary graphics solutions.