Here you will get a comprehensive knowledge of DDR3 and DDR4 Memory Modules. Understand the key differences between DDR3 vs DDR4:
Are you having trouble deciding whether to select DDR3 or DDR4 memory for your system?
In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at DDR3 and DDR4 memory modules.
After reading this review, you will be able to make an informed decision in buying the right type of memory for your PC.
Let us begin!
Table of Contents:
DDR3 vs DDR4 – A Complete Study
Market Trends: In 2021, the sale of DDR4 accounted for 90 percent while sales of DDR3 accounted for 8 percent of the DRAM market revenues in 2021.
The following chart shows the performance comparison between DDR3 and DDR4:
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Expert Advice: While buying a computer memory, consider motherboard compatibility. Systems built before 2014 are not compatible with the DDR4 module.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What is DDR3 used for?
Answer: DDR3 is an abbreviation of Double Data Rate Type 3. It is a type of Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) that is used in computer systems to store temporary data. It is a successor to DDR2.
Q #2) Is DDR4 the same as RAM?
Answer: DDR4 or Double Data Rate Type 4 is the successor to DDR3. It is also a type of SDRAM used for temporary memory storage in computers. It is faster and uses less power as compared to DDR3.
Q #3) Is DDR3 better than DDR4?
Answer: DDR4 modules are more efficient in power consumption. Low power means lower power and cooling requirements. Moreover, DDR4 modules are more powerful, making them ideal for high-end gaming and graphics editing.
Q #4) How do I know if my RAM is DDR3 or 4?
Answer: To find out the type of RAM in Windows, press Win+R and type taskmgr. Next, select the Performance Tab and click on Memory. On your Mac, click on the Apple logo, select About This Mac, and then the Memory tab.
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Comparison Chart of DDR4 vs DDR3
| Differences | DDR4 | DDR3 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 800 Mhz, 1600 Mhz, 2133 Mhz | 800Mhz, 1066 Mhz, 1600 Mhz, and 1866 Mhz |
| Buffer Prefetch | 8n | 8n |
| Bus Clock Speed | 1066-2133 MHz | 400-1066 MHz |
| Transfer rate in MT/S | 2133 to 3200 MT/s | 800 to 1600 MT/s |
| Internal rate | 100-266 MHz | 100-266 MHz |
| Channel Bandwidth | 12.8 to 25.6 GBps | 6.4 to 17.0 GBps |
| Voltage | Low performance: 1.05V Standard: 1.2V High performance: 1.35V | Low performance: 1.35V Standard: 1.5V High performance: 1.65V |
| Modules | 288-pin DIMMs | 240-pin DIMMs |
| Module Density | 2GB to 128GB | 512MB to 32GB |
| Memory Capacity | No maximum limit | Up to 16GB |
| CAS Latency | 14-18 | 2022-10-07 00:00:00 |
| Refresh algorithm | Self-refresh only | Auto refresh and self refresh |
| Subsequent model | DDR5 (Nov 2021) | DDR4 (June 2014) |
Understanding DDR4
Best for gaming and high-end video editing tasks.
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Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) is a relatively new type of Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM). The memory module was introduced in 2014.
The main advantage of DDR4 as compared to DDR3 is that it has a lower voltage requirement. The memory module requires just 1.2V. The lower voltage requirement provides more headway when overclocking the PC.
Moreover, DDR4 has a higher transfer rate (twice as fast) than DDR3. The data transfer rate of the memory module is between 2133 to 3200 million transfers per second (MT/s). Data transfer rate is the amount of digital data that is moved from one place to another.
While the average FPS won’t be significantly affected, the higher transfer rate means there will be fewer frame drops, resulting in a smooth gaming experience.
Note that some manufacturers have pushed the boundaries by releasing high-frequency DDR4 MHz. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB has up to 4000 MHz, while HyperX Predator DDR4 family has a clock speed between 2666 and 5333 MHz.
Features:
- Data Transfer Rate: 2133 to 3200 million transfers per second (MT/s)
- Clock Speed: 2133 MHz
- Voltage: 1.2 V
- Latency: 12.75 nanoseconds
Pros:
- Lower power requirements than DDR3 resulting in savings in electricity bills.
- Higher module density – 2GB to 128GB making it suitable for resource-intensive applications and games.
- Suitable for companies that require a heavy data load due to faster data speed.
Verdict: This memory type is recommended if you multi-task or use memory-intensive apps such as games, video, and graphics editing software.
Price:
- 4GB: $15 – $30
- 8 GB: $30 – $45
- 16 GB: $55 – $100
- 32GB: $120 – $170
- 64GB: $200 – $290
* Prices based on Amazon Product Advertising on 2/18/2022 at 10:24 AM.
Understanding DDR3
Best for basic word processing and internet browsing.
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Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) is the predecessor of DDR4. This is the type of SDRAM that was introduced in 2007.
DDR3 takes more power when compared to DDR4. The voltage requirement of the memory module is 1.5V. A higher voltage not only means a higher electricity bill but also more stress on the system memory controller.
The data transfer rate of the DDR3 is between 800 to 1600 mega transfers per second (MT/s). This is twice the data transfer rate of DDR2 and four times DDR. But it is half as fast as DDR4.
While DDR3 was released more than a decade ago, it is still considered to offer decent performance. The memory module is adequate if you use your PC for video streaming, internet browsing, or word processing.
Features:
- Data Transfer Rate: 800 to 1600 mega transfers per second (MT/s)
- Clock Speed: 1066 MHz
- Voltage: 1.5V
- Latency: 12.5 nanoseconds
Pros:
- Lower latency than DDR4 means faster performance at the same speed.
- Low cost as compared to DDR4.
- Support legacy motherboards.
Verdict: The memory is best for you if you use the system for simple internet browsing and word processing.
Price:
- 2GB: $10 – $15
- 4GB: $15 – $25
- 8 GB: $25 – $50
- 16 GB: $55 – $90
- 32GB: $120 – $170
- 64GB: $200 – $290
* Prices based on Amazon Product Advertising on 2/18/2022 at 10:24 AM.
Conclusion
After reading the guide, you should now know whether to go for DDR3 or DDR4. Most systems built after 2014 already have DDR4 RAM. If your system has an older type of RAM, the decision to upgrade to the newer version depends on your system requirements.
Most people will not notice any significant performance improvement when replacing DDR3 with DDR4 memory. You should consider upgrading only if you use the system mostly for video games and graphics editing.
Research Process:
- Time Taken to Research this Article: It took us about 5 hours to research and write an article on DDR3 ram vs DDR4.