NVIDIA’s entry-level discrete graphics card, the GT 1030, has been given a downgraded version. The NVIDIA GT 1030 originally comes with GDDR5 memory. However, MSI, Gigabyte, and Palit are launching a version of the GPU with DDR4 memory.

The entry-level GPU typically has 48GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is thanks to the GDDR5 memory’s 3GHz clock. The double-data-rate of GDDR5 and 64bit-wide memory bus means that the GT 1030 is effectively 6GHz. While already at the low-end of NVIDIA’s 10 series, curiously, several manufacturers are making an even lower-end version.

Take for example MSI’s GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC. The DDR4 version of the GT 1030 – signified by the ‘D4‘ – can only have up to 16GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is because DDR4 memory only has an effective memory clock of 2100MHz. That’s only a third of the original’s 6GHz! The one benefit from using DDR4 memory instead of GDDR5 however is lower power consumption. According to MSI, the GT 1030 D4 only needs 10W compared to the original’s 30W.

Both MSI and Gigabyte use ‘D4‘ to tell the original GPU and its weaker brother apart. Palit, however, does not, so do keep that in mind when shopping for GPUs.

NVIDIA isn’t the only brand to have its cards downgraded by manufacturers. AMD’s RX 560 and RX 550 have lower-clocked versions too, made by Asrock. This may be lead to confusion for potential buyers, especially as GPU prices soar through the roof.

(Source: Tom’s Hardware)