DDR2 v. DDR3

[PansitPalabok]

I've started the process of shopping to upgrade my mobo and the choices have boiled down to whether they have DDR2 or DDR3 mem.

What's the biggest difference b/w the two?

In terms of upgradability for now and to the future I would think DDR3 would be the way to go.

 

[semo]

doesn't matter what the technical difference is, DDR3 is here to stay DDR2 isn't. DDR3 is only going to get quicker and cheaper and DDR2 won't.

DDR2 is going to live for a long time (especially with so many Taiwanese memory makers that overspent on extra capacity,just before the recession, and run out of money to upgrade to newer technologies) but you won't see 4GB+ on one stick or any "deals" in the future.

 

[davidrees]

A more important difference is whether you buy a system with the memory controller on the cpu or on the motherboard.

 

[PansitPalabok]

A more important difference is whether you buy a system with the memory controller on the cpu or on the motherboard.

Doesn't AMD has this? How could you tell if a mobo supports this feature?

 

[semo]

all AMD processors have the memory controller on the CPU. Intel "Core iX" CPUs have the memory controller on the CPU as well (or anything that goes into a LGA 1156 or 1366).

 

[deimos3428]

What's the biggest difference b/w the two?

Speed. Though they're actually nearly identical at the same frequency. But you just don't see a lot of DDR2 above 1066 Mhz, while DDR3 is commonly sold at 1333 and above.

 

[tcsenter]

Now that DDR3 is essentially the same price as DDR2, give or take a few dollars, there is no reason not to go with DDR3 if buying new mobo and RAM.

 

[deimos3428]

Now that DDR3 is essentially the same price as DDR2

Interesting stuff. I have to admit that when I first read this I thought, "He's crazy, DDR2 is much cheaper. There's no way DDR3 has dropped that much."

Well, you're not crazy but we're both right. They are within a couple of bucks of each other now, but DDR3 didn't get cheaper -- DDR2 got more expensive! 😱

To confirm my suspicions I dug up an old newegg invoice from late February 2009. This item in particular was selling for $57 a mere nine months ago. (In Canadian dollars, but the exchange rate hasn't shifted that much.) What happened?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820231122

 

[KILLER_K]

And since ddr3 has reached speeds of 2200mhz the sky is the limit now.

 

[pennylane]

Nevermind.