Why isnt VRAM modular

[mikewachiaoski]

Regular RAM for your CPU is modular and expandable so why isnt the RAM on the graphics card the same way? 

Is it due to limitations in form factor and simplicity of design or is there something fundamentally different about how gpus use memory?

[KWelz]

There was a time that it was.  Of course we are talking WAAAAAAY back in the day.   

 

GPU memory modules have to be cooled unlike standard DDR modules.   

 

It would also increase the size of the board dramatically and increase the complications in the design.   

[Slayerking92]

It was a thing a long time ago.  I remember adding RAM to my trident video card.  Cards would have empty sockets you could add RAM chips to.

 

[dilpickle]

Once they started covering the cards with cooling shrouds it killed any upgradibility. Some cards even had expansion connectors where you could add TV tuners and things.

 

Plus it follows the general industry trend of making non-upgradable devices.

[Mark Kaine]

5 hours ago, KWelz said:

GPU memory modules have to be cooled unlike standard DDR modules.   

Not actively tho, and cooling pads are cheap. 

 

It's this 

2 hours ago, dilpickle said:

it follows the general industry trend of making non-upgradable devices.

why we can't upgrade gpu ram. 

 

In a more sensible and conscious society we could... 

 

 

[Tanaz]

Upgradeability and repairability are two sectors that the manufacturers are actively trying to kill. You can't even get GDDR memory from Micron / Samsung for repairs. The goal is to keep making you buy their newest products year in and year out. Before that was achieved because generational technological leaps were so huge that upgrading was a no-brainer and 2 gen old hardware was obsolete. Right now all of that has stalled to a crawl so the only way to keep the customer invested is to simply make products that are harder to repair and have shorter effective lifespans.