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DDR3 vs DDR2

allenk09

allenk09

Senior member
Wasn't exactly sure where to put this since it covers multiple areas, but I guess it's a CPU question.

I currently have a M4A78 pro with 8GB of DDR2-800 and my motherboard doesn't support DDR3. I just bought a Phenom II X4 965 and I'm wondering if I would I see a huge improvement of performance of the CPU buying a new motherboard that handles DDR3, and some DDR3 ram? I know I could probably sell the 8GB of DDR2 for the price of a moderate motherboard that handles DDR3, but if there's not going to be a major performance increase than I surely dont want to go through all the trouble selling everything, taking everything apart, not having a computer for a week because I'm poor, etc.
 
I dont know where the previous poster gets his facts. It wont be a big difference on a phenom. If you were switching platforms to the latest intel then sure you'd see a large increase in memory bandwidth, but even then the difference is barely perceptible unless running a memory intensive application. Here is what you could do to test it: Lower your memory clocks to 70% of what you're currently running at, and try to notice how it affects general usage. You will notice it if you try, but you will have to make an effort to notice it.
 
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sm625 said:
Here is what you could do to test it: Lower your memory clocks to 70% of what you're currently running at, and try to notice how it affects general usage. You will notice it if you try, but you will have to make an effort to notice it.
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After a failed overclock I had my memory running at 1333MHz for a while and it was anything but noticeable. Of course I didn't know that, if I did I would probably notice it due to autosuggestion. As long as he knows how fast his memory runs it's not a good experiment, it has to be a blind test. Science 101 😉
 
SLK said:
Board - 56.68
RAM - 35.00

Total - 91.68

~ 15-20% performance increase in some applications, Windows should feel a bit snappier as well.
Click to expand...

If he wants windows to feel snappier he should put that money towards an SSD, much better ROI assuming he doesn't have one yet.
 
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2721
The title of the article is "AMD Gets DDR3 But Doesn't Need It".

I'm sticking with DDR2 until I upgrade to a completely new, probably Intel-based system. Not worth the hassle and cost of replacing the mobo just for 5% boost. You have even less of a reason to switch since you already have 8GB of RAM (trying to find another 2-4 GB of cheap DDR2 RAM is impossible these days).
 
JimmiG said:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2721
The title of the article is "AMD Gets DDR3 But Doesn't Need It".

I'm sticking with DDR2 until I upgrade to a completely new, probably Intel-based system. Not worth the hassle and cost of replacing the mobo just for 5% boost. You have even less of a reason to switch since you already have 8GB of RAM (trying to find another 2-4 GB of cheap DDR2 RAM is impossible these days).
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But than again he could sell his RAM and Board and probably actually make some money in the process of switching to DDR3. DDR2 is quite expensive. I wouldn't bother but that's just me.
 
allenk09 said:
Wasn't exactly sure where to put this since it covers multiple areas, but I guess it's a CPU question.

I currently have a M4A78 pro with 8GB of DDR2-800 and my motherboard doesn't support DDR3. I just bought a Phenom II X4 965 and I'm wondering if I would I see a huge improvement of performance of the CPU buying a new motherboard that handles DDR3, and some DDR3 ram? I know I could probably sell the 8GB of DDR2 for the price of a moderate motherboard that handles DDR3, but if there's not going to be a major performance increase than I surely dont want to go through all the trouble selling everything, taking everything apart, not having a computer for a week because I'm poor, etc.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bother switching over to DDR3. I would be on the lookout for cheap DDR3 deals though. This stuff won't get cheaper IMO, so I would preemptively pick some up. 2x4G kits are extremely cheap nowadays.
 
Well, he has 8gb of DDR-800, its not like he has 533mhz DDR2 so I would think the OP would be fine. My suggestion above is somewhat valid but I would think it would be about a 10% increase. If he were using slower DDR 2 then it would be more worth it.
 
Thanks for the answers. I think I'll wait on the DDR3 and a new motherboard until I can really afford them. I'm about to get 8GB of DDR2-1066 so that should work nicely.
 
allenk09 said:
Thanks for the answers. I think I'll wait on the DDR3 and a new motherboard until I can really afford them. I'm about to get 8GB of DDR2-1066 so that should work nicely.
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Are you getting it for free? Because DDR2 is expensive.
 
I replaced my AM2+ MB with 4GB of DDR2 800 RAM and got an AM3+ MB with 8GB of DDR3 1600 RAM. The CPU was the same (system in sig). I didn't notice any difference in speed.
 
Phenom performs 'better' nearly every time with 5-5-5 ddr2 800mhz compared to 1333mhz 9-9-9. So don't go DDR3 trying for a performance upgrade, as there is none to be had.
 
formulav8 said:
Phenom performs 'better' nearly every time with 5-5-5 ddr2 800mhz compared to 1333mhz 9-9-9. So don't go DDR3 trying for a performance upgrade, as there is none to be had.
Click to expand...
I might be pulling this out of my buttox, but I'm sure that the 990 AM3+ socket was created to allow for Phenom X6s to take advantage of RAM faster than 1866+ no?
 
Golgatha said:
I wouldn't bother switching over to DDR3. I would be on the lookout for cheap DDR3 deals though. This stuff won't get cheaper IMO, so I would preemptively pick some up. 2x4G kits are extremely cheap nowadays.
Click to expand...



That would have been a good strategy for Oct~Dec of 2011. Prices have already went up. Not a lot but they have gone up. And deals for them are pretty rare now (apart from so-dimm) compared to the flood back then.
 
edplayer said:
That would have been a good strategy for Oct~Dec of 2011. Prices have already went up. Not a lot but they have gone up. And deals for them are pretty rare now (apart from so-dimm) compared to the flood back then.
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I do believe they will be creeping back up. We just received pricing from our vendors on RAM and I can say that there is a continual fluctuation going upward, almost to the point where we have to start raising our prices now. Just a FYI, buy it soon if you need it!
 
I've used a variety of AMD Athlon II / Phenom II systems with both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, and I've seen no noticable difference in performance. The DDR2 systems were all DDR-800 or better though, so I would expect there to be perhaps more difference if someone were using DDR-667 or DDR-533 lol.
 
tweakboy said:
What is important is the RAM latency.. gl
Click to expand...

No, just no, no no no no, you are WRONG. Think about that concept for a second.

Ram bandwidth and latency doesn't matter unless a very specialized and specific application demands it. Which is why socket 2011 has such a small market.

Don't upgrade your RAM op, it would be useless.

You never said what you use this PC for, we kind of need that information.
 
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