Significance

• A computer with shared DDR SDRAM will split the amount of RAM between the computer's available system memory and its onboard video graphics rather than using a separate cache for each. This results in a cheaper system but has a side effect of the computer having less available memory than advertised for the product.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Shared DDR SDRAM is often thought to be a boon, due to the ability to raise the amount of video RAM a computer system has. This is generally not the case, however.
  
  

Considerations

• If planning to use graphically intense programs, such as 3-D games, drafting programs or graphic design software, a computer with shared DDR SDRAM and integrated graphics (the two go hand in hand) is likely not a sound choice. A better option would be a computer with a separate, dedicated video card with its own cache of RAM.