DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM

DDR3 vs DDR4: If you are in search of a new system, then you might be researching a little bit on the hardware. So you must have come across the curves of DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM.

As hyped earlier, DDR4 RAM has the highest performance. But is it necessary to have a DDR4 RAM in your system?

Most of the time we come to decide the performance and the capability by seeing the number. Higher the number means more the performance as per most people. But is it justified all the time? Especially in this case?

Well, this is not a yes, no question. We have to analyze so many things to differentiate between DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM.

Without further delay, let’s dive into it.

Difference between DDR3 and DDR4

Let’s discuss some major differences DDR3 vs DDR4

Physical changes

The design may be the most important thing when we are going to release a successor of technology. Same thing in the RAM.

The DDR3 RAM used a 240-pin package. But the design has changed in the DDR4 RAM. DDR4 has uses a 288-pin package. This directly boosts in the bandwidth capacity and we will discuss it further in the article.

The pin-to-pin distance is also changed. In the DDR3 RAM, the distance is 1.00mm while in DDR4 RAM the distance is 0.85mm.

In DDR4 you can see the increase in height as well. Its height is 31.25mm as compared to DDR3 30.35mm.

Printed circuit boards are also thicker now. It becomes opens the scope for more signal layers.

Stability

DDR3 RAMs apply a single voltage source across the whole module. This may affect stability but this thing is changed in DDR4. DDR4 RAMs work differently. With the help of voltage reference ICs, it enhances the lower voltage before each memory chip. This ensures that a consistent voltage flow and applied across each of them individually unlike the DDR3 the whole module at once. Thus it improves the stability of the modules of the DDR4 RAM.

Clock Speed

If you are looking for the DDR3 vs DDR4 then you should take this point as number one priority.

The clock speed of DDR3 RAMs ranges from 800Mhz to 2133Mhz. The RAM manufacturers can’t maintain the clock speed.

So we can see the remarkable improvement of DDR4. The minimum clock speed of DDR4 is 2133Mhz and no specific max value. The increase in clock speed directly increases in their bandwidth.

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Operating Voltage

Manufacturers are trying to reduce the power consumption of the RAM. The result is, we get it in DDR4 RAM. The DDR4 RAM operates at a quite lower voltage of 1.2 volts as compared to 1.5 volts DDR3 RAM.

You may think that power consumption is not much in first sight. But the thing about a company or farm having 1000s of CPUs. When you add the power consumption units then this might a significant saving. It will also increase the battery life of laptops.

Performance

If you are comparing DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM, you will not neglect this point at all. DDR4 RAM is more stable than the DDR3 because it operates at a lower voltage and applies it consistently provide power to each individual memory chip.

You can’t notice the performance of DDR4 in a normal task like editing an MS Word document or listening to music. But you’ll definitely appreciate the power when playing high-end games, editing video, using Photoshop, compiling software, etc.

Latency

The increased clock speed and bandwidth leads to an increase in the latency as well. The DDR3-2133 has a latency of ~55 nanoseconds. The DDR4-2133 has a quite high latency of ~63 nanoseconds. The latency is not that high.

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Memory Capacity

The memory capacity is also one of the major consideration factors in DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM discussion. While most of the users ok with the 4GB RAM capacity, gamers always in hungry for higher RAM. Similarly in the case of video editing and graphic designing and some heavy tasks needs more RAM.

DDR3 RAM has a maximum of 8GB capacity for a single module. On the other hand, DDR4 has no maximum memory capacity. It allows a maximum number of data stores into its unite.

Pricing and Availability

This is one of the major consideration factors on DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM. The DDR4 is no ware to be cheap. Because of it in advance, than the traditional DDR3 RAM so be prepared to pay more.

8GB kit of ADATA DDR3-2133 costs $59.29 only whereas the comparative DDR4-2133 will cost $91.49. There is almost a $30 difference between the two. It may not matter in personal use or one unit purchase. But think about the price gap when you have a requirement of hundreds of DDR4 RAM.

So…which RAM do I choose?

You may have doubts that which is better, DDR3 RAM or DDR4 RAM? Well, this is not a multiple type question that has one single answer. This is something that you have to decide with some more factors.

If you have an aging motherboard and old generation CPU, then you should go for the DDR3 RAM. If you have a new generation CPU, you can go with the DDR4 RAM. This is not necessary to have a DDR4 on the new CPU, but it is future proof.

If you are configuring a new PC or buying a new laptop, then you may go with DDR4 RAM. But you should prepare to pay more for this fancy RAM.

Conclusion

So these are some differences between DDR3 vs DDR4 RAM. When you are in going to buy, you must have to consider these things. To say frankly, there is not much difference between these two RAMs. If you have a limited budget, then you can go with a higher memory module of DDR3 RAM along with a faster processor and a better GPU. You will more likely to get a result and get improved all-around performances.

The switch to DDR4 is inevitable. You’ll make it yours sooner or later. What is your favorite RAM? Feel free to comment and let me know.