DDR3 vs DDR4

[UnholyCarcass]

What are the real world advantages of DDR4 over DDR3? Can a user really expect a noticeable difference between DDR4 and DDR3? What part of the user experience will be affected when switching from DDR3 to DDR4?

 

[i7Baby]

You can't switch without changing motherboard (and CPU). DDR4 can provide faster ram and lower power/voltage ram than DDR3. Currently DDR3 is still cheaper for eg 2400.
But DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 for eg 1600.

DDR4 is more "future-proof"

 

[Shmee]

You can't switch without changing motherboard (and CPU). DDR4 can provide faster ram and lower power/voltage ram than DDR3. Currently DDR3 is still cheaper for eg 2400.
But DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 for eg 1600.

DDR4 is more "future-proof"

A small caveat to this, if it is a skylake system, one could simply switch boards for DDR3 or DDR4, and not need to switch the CPU, as skylake CPUs support both DDR3 and DDR4, it just depends on what motherboard you get.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

A small caveat to this, if it is a skylake system, one could simply switch boards for DDR3 or DDR4, and not need to switch the CPU, as skylake CPUs support both DDR3 and DDR4, it just depends on what motherboard you get.

There are even a few boards with both DDR3 and DDR4 support available.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H170 Combo/
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B150M Combo-G/
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B150 Combo/
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H110M Combo-G/

 

[LTC8K6]

DDR3L is not exactly the same as DDR3, though. 3L is only 1.35V.

There is some question about running Skylake platforms with the higher DDR3 voltage.

 

[Oyeve]

Dunno, i'm still rocking DDR2 at home. At work I have set up a few servers with DDR4. Haven't run any tests yet.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I wouldn't base any decision on ddr3 vs. ddr4 at this point.
Compared to previous transitions ddr4 is one of the least evolutionary imo (I had higher hopes reading the rumors before launch). It lacks a prefetch buffer increase like previous upgrades. In my mind it's easier to think of ddr4 as a lower voltage revision on ddr3 with minor tweaks and a new pin layout. Just get the cpu/mb you need and whatever memory it requires. In a year or so ddr4 will likely be more appealing: die stacking, larger sizes, faster, etc.

 

[tweakboy]

Same sh*t different Smell ....... In other words, you will not see a difference playing games etc or winblow work.. you will not notice a difference from ddr3 to ddr4 ,,,,

The benchmarks will be higher, but that about it.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

DDR3L is not exactly the same as DDR3, though. 3L is only 1.35V.

There is some question about running Skylake platforms with the higher DDR3 voltage.

Officially Haswell/Broadwell doesn't support 1.65V DDR3 either. But it seems to run OK from what I've heard.

Besides, if you're already willing to overvolt and overclock your CPU, why should this bother you the least?