DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM

[dpk33]

So I've been out of the computer world for a while now - didn't even realize DDR4 was a thing until a month or two back. Oh how time flies.

So anyway, when DDR3 first came out, I remember many people suggesting to just stick with DDR2 because DDR3 wouldn't make any practical difference, be it gaming or browsing. Maybe the more professional/high end users may have had a use for them. Does this still hold true? On the same note, does DDR4 have any practical benefits over DDR3/DDR2?

The reason I ask is I'm building a core 2 quad PC for a friend who's coming from a socket 478 pentium 4. Of course, either way, he'll notice a phenomenal difference, but I still do have the option of DDR2 vs DDR3. Which one should I go for?

 

[shabby]

Which one should I go for?

The cheaper route.

 

[Joepublic2]

The main advantage DDR4 will have going forward is that new process/lower power consumption/stacking technology will enable higher density modules than DDR3 over time. You're never going to see affordable 16-32GB DIMMs of DDR3 but you may in the future for DDR4.

I'd get a DDR3 platform because it's going to be relevant for quite some time, whereas DDR2 is pretty much dead (no quasi modern PC platform accepts it anymore). He'll have a cheaper upgrade path in the future with some high density DDR3 modules (make sure the board/cpu supports them).

 

[VirtualLarry]

The reason I ask is I'm building a core 2 quad PC for a friend
but I still do have the option of DDR2 vs DDR3. Which one should I go for?

It depends on what kind of slots the mobo has for memory. DDR3 is 1.5v, DDR2 is 1.8v, you cannot mix the two on the same board. So depending on what board you go with, decides what type of memory you should go with. If you have the option, DDR3 is cheaper, and comes in larger sizes. So generally, DDR3 is better.

 

[Shmee]

I think I should add on to what Larry is saying with a few corrections; during the Core 2 era, most DDR2 and DDR3 would be higher Voltage ratings than what they have now. 1.8v was low voltage for DDR2, the high speed stuff was generally rated for 2.1v. Also, DDR3 would be around 1.8v iirc upon release, it was not until the nehalem architecture where < 1.65v was recommended to avoid damaging the memory controller. Later 1.5v became the norm with ivy bridge, I seem to remember. Now ranges of 1.35-1.5v are typical for DDR3.

And yes, generally DDR3 is better. One note of caution, if you are putting together a core 2 based system, make sure that the newer DDR3 will work in your board. A bios update may also help.

 

[Mighty_Miro_WD]

Hi there.

These two memory types are completely incompatible with each other - not only the voltages mentioned by VirtualLarry, but the timings and signaling is different.

Basically speaking DDR3 is faster then DDR2, and the power differences are barely measurable along with the real-world performance differences. So I would go with DDR3 RAM if your motherboard can support it.

Cheers!

 

[PliotronX]

Where 3 shines is being able to run CR1T and >1600MHz with 16GB

 

[Jubassi]

ddr2 is cheaper ddr3 is better performance and will be lowering in price soon

 

[Ketchup]

ddr2 is cheaper ddr3 is better performance and will be lowering in price soon

LOL. That was pretty funny.

If you are deciding on a board, get one that supports DDR3 for lower overall cost. If you already have some DDR2, there wouldn't be an issue sticking with a board supporting that type of RAM.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

ddr2 is cheaper ddr3 is better performance and will be lowering in price soon

Actually large capacity (>2GB) DDR2 DIMMs are getting pretty expensive. At least where I live.

Too expensive to be worthwhile purchases, unless one really can't avoid it.

 

[fire400]

core 2 quad systems from my experience, primarily at the time, were still mostly utilizing ddr2, back in 2008, if we're talking about the intel c2d q6600, for example.

it might be more cost effective to just build a cheap AMD A6-7400k system. modernized, cheap processor, cheap motherboard. or an older i3/pentium.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

DDR3 is mainstream clocks out better, But good luck finding a motherboard that uses DDR3 and takes a C2Q! There was the gigabyte X48 variation that took DDR3 and C2Q'S finding one could be difficult at best.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Woot, a thread which I can put my experience to great use. For C2D/Q-era chipsets:

Practical max for DDR2/3 = 8GB.

4GB DDR2 sticks are so prohibitory expensive that they may as well not exist, so at the most you can do 4 x 2GB DDR2. Take note you cannot use AMD-only 4GB DDR2, they will NOT work on Intel systems.

For DDR3, you can use sticks up to 4GB each, however they must be using 256MB chips or smaller. Which means the 4GB stick has be to double-sided with 16 x 256MB chips. Voltage shouldn't be a problem as I have successful used 1.5V DDR3 4GB sticks on a G41 board running at the required 1.5V.

 

[Ketchup]

... For DDR3, you can use sticks up to 4GB each, however they must be using 256MB chips or smaller. Which means the 4GB stick has be to double-sided with 16 x 256MB chips. Voltage shouldn't be a problem as I have successful used 1.5V DDR3 4GB sticks on a G41 board running at the required 1.5V.

Ah, I wonder if that is why I saw so many people are giving negative reviews on the G41 boards when I was looking at those yesterday. Way too many people saying these boards were DOA. Gee, there is a memory compatibility list on the board's web page for a reason!

 

[StrangerGuy]

Ah, I wonder if that is why I saw so many people are giving negative reviews on the G41 boards when I was looking at those yesterday. Way too many people saying these boards were DOA. Gee, there is a memory compatibility list on the board's web page for a reason!

IMO, you can't really blame them really. The support section on mobo vendors don't test every single DDR3 out there, and most don't even bother to emphasize the critical 256MB chip limitation. My own Kingston 4GB DDR-1333 isn't even on Gigabyte G41 list of compatible memory, but it still worked.

DDR3 support on Nehalem and later Intel CPUs are much more bulletproof. 6 x 8GB DDR3 is known to work on X58, and there's a bug in the IMC of Intel consumers CPU's all the way until Haswell prevents them from utilizing 1GB chips, which means using 16GB DDR3 sticks are a practical impossibility.

 

[Ketchup]

Very true. In most cases with modern memory, it's hard to get a memory chip that doesn't work as long as one adheres to the general specifications.

 

[tweakboy]

DDR2 wins ,. sighs