• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Dumb memory question - remind me how to understand RAM

B

bovinda

Senior member
So I'm trying to decide what RAM to get for a couple computers I'm building. I'm probably going to go with a mobo that supports DDR3.

But what real difference does DDR3 800 vs 1066 vs 1333 make? And does DDR3 vs DDR2 really make any difference? What about the whole CAS latency thing? How much does any of it matter? 😵

Any links to resources, or any teaching, will earn you a cookie.

EDIT: For example, why not go with this OCZ DDR3 1333 set which is $50 after MIR vs this similar-sounding GSkill set which is $65? They both seem like good deals, yeah?

Is the price difference because of voltages (1.65 vs 1.5) and if so, what does that really mean?
 
Last edited:
In terms of real-world difference that you can feel, 1066 vs 1333 vs 1600 for DDR3 is generally impossible to tell apart unless you are benchmarking. CAS and timings are impossible to tell apart as well. You can't really tell DDR2 and DDR3 performance apart either.

Rated voltage, however, is a sign of quality. The lower the voltage, the better the chips. Quality chips don't need as much voltage to perform while subpar chips require more (sort of like hardworking employees vs. lazy ones.) In terms of quality, G.Skill is top-tier while OCZ is not. Whether all of what I said is worth the extra cash to you is up to you.
 
bovinda said:
So I'm trying to decide what RAM to get for a couple computers I'm building. I'm probably going to go with a mobo that supports DDR3.

But what real difference does DDR3 800 vs 1066 vs 1333 make? And does DDR3 vs DDR2 really make any difference? What about the whole CAS latency thing? How much does any of it matter? 😵
Click to expand...
None of these make a difference... 🙂

Is the price difference because of voltages (1.65 vs 1.5) and if so, what does that really mean?
Click to expand...
DDR3 is 1.5 volts... ALL companies (no exception) will advertise a stable overclock (with a significant overclock) for the vast majority of their modules (that is the 1.65v for example), those companies will make an exception for a few specific modules though (hence the 1.5v one). Just remember that ALL companies do that.

anyways, if their speed is otherwise identical (both mhz and latency), then the v1.5v one is superior quality chips. The OCZ one you linked will most likely register on your mobo as a 1066 module (at 1.5v)... you will have to use an overclocking capable motherboard to set it to work at 1.65v & 1333 mhz and the right timings (9-9-9-20); if your mobo can't overclock then its stuck as a 1066 module.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys, that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for! Makes it much easier to understand what's going on. :thumbsup:
 
If I were shopping for the highest quality memory I could afford, I would use the following parameters as a guide...

* DDR3 rated at 1.5v or lower
* DDR3 rated at the lowest CAS I could afford
* DDR3 rated at the highest clock speed I could afford
* Limit the scope of my purchease to G.Skill, Mushkin, Corsair XMS or Crucial (non-Ballistix)

While not wavering on the voltage point, I would balance the other issues with my budget.



Remember kids my goal is not pure performance, but simply finding the highest quality memory I can afford. :colbert:
I want to avoid having to post any "Is my memory bad" threads here, just because I saved a couple of bucks on the initial purchase price.
 
Last edited:
DDR2 v. DDR3 depends on what processor you're running. core2 motherboards use DDR2, while i3/5/7 use DDR3. phenom/athlon processors have both types of controller, and so it depends on which socket you're using. an AM2/2+ compatible socket uses DDR2, even if compatible with AM3. if the socket is AM3 and AM3 only it's DDR3. your motherboard documentation should be have the socket compatibility listed.
 
Just like to mention that Core2 motherboards can be DDR2 or DDR3, and actually I think one was both DDR2 and DDR3 at the same time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top