Performance and Price Advantage: DDR3 system vs. DDR2 system?

[legocitytruck]

For general computing, and for web server duties but no gaming, what is the better option?

Option 1
Phenom II X3 720
DDR3 1066
AM3 motherboard

Option 2
Phenom II X4 940
DDR2 1066
AM2+ motherboard

Basically, is it worth taking advantage of the newer DDR3 and AM3 format for similar money and less individual part performance vs. a higher end DDR2 and AM2+ system?

 

[Blain]

DDR3 is not worth using a lower end CPU.

 

[JTP709]

I beg to differ that the PII x3 is "lower end." It gets similiar or slightly lower frame rates in games when compared to the "high end" CPUs. Check out these benchmarks.

DDR3 doesn't grab any extra performance increases over DDR2. However, DDR3 is becoming the standard. In terms of future upgradability I am going to build my new PII rig with DDR3 so that when I upgrade in the future I wont have to replace my memory.

 

[fourdegrees11]

Originally posted by: JTP709
I beg to differ that the PII x3 is "lower end." It gets similiar or slightly lower frame rates in games when compared to the "high end" CPUs. Check out these benchmarks.

DDR3 doesn't grab any extra performance increases over DDR2. However, DDR3 is becoming the standard. In terms of future upgradability I am going to build my new PII rig with DDR3 so that when I upgrade in the future I wont have to replace my memory.

That was my reasoning. My 4gb kit was only $60 so its not like its that expensive, and with the combo deal I got, my AM3 board cost the same as an AM2+ board.

 

[legocitytruck]

Originally posted by: fourdegrees11
My 4gb kit was only $60 so its not like its that expensive

Do you have to buy DDR3 in multiples of 3 for best or triple channel performance? Also, when you are starting on the low end of DDR3 parts with an eye towards future upgradability, what are must have characteristics of the motherboard to be in the best place for future upgradability.

Will AMD be making chips for the AM3 sockets for years to come?

 

[JTP709]

no no no

DDR3 has to do with the speed, not the channel. The memory "channel" depends on the motherboard and CPU memory controller. AMD CPUs for the most part use Dual Channel memory meaning you will have 2 of the same sticks of memory. Core i7 uses Triple Channel meaning you will have 3 of the same sticks. Hence why most AMD users have 4GB total of 2x2GB sticks, and i7 users have 6GB total of 3x2GB sticks. Go look at pictures of the motherboards on newegg, and you'll notice that AMD boards typically have 4 memory slots, two of which are the same color. i7 boards have 6 memory slots typically and have 3 of the same color.

Do some research and google "guide to memory" or "dual channel versus triple channel memory" and edumacate yourself some 😉

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: JTP709
I beg to differ that the PII x3 is "lower end." It gets similiar or slightly lower frame rates in games when compared to the "high end" CPUs.

Don't get your panties in a bunch.
When I said "lower end", I was speaking in relative terms considering the two processors he'd listed, not in absolute terms.

You're sighting "frame rates", when he specified that...
"For general computing, and for web server duties but no gaming" 😉

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: JTP709
I beg to differ that the PII x3 is "lower end." It gets similiar or slightly lower frame rates in games when compared to the "high end" CPUs. Check out these benchmarks.

DDR3 doesn't grab any extra performance increases over DDR2. However, DDR3 is becoming the standard. In terms of future upgradability I am going to build my new PII rig with DDR3 so that when I upgrade in the future I wont have to replace my memory.

When I see PII, I still think Pentium II.. 😱

 

[krnmastersgt]

As stated before, in terms of performance, DDR3 has no significant difference over DDR2. If you're not the type to constantly upgrade parts, and just do everything at once, I'd opt for the X4 and DDR2.

 

[JTP709]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: JTP709
I beg to differ that the PII x3 is "lower end." It gets similiar or slightly lower frame rates in games when compared to the "high end" CPUs. Check out these benchmarks.

DDR3 doesn't grab any extra performance increases over DDR2. However, DDR3 is becoming the standard. In terms of future upgradability I am going to build my new PII rig with DDR3 so that when I upgrade in the future I wont have to replace my memory.

When I see PII, I still think Pentium II.. 😱

lol my dad still has a Pentium II and Pentium III . . . ahh the good ol days of 500mhz CPUs, I learned how to play CS on those rigs lol. Good memories haha.

but to get back on topic, like what krnmastersgt said DDR3 wont give you any performance boost over DDR2, but it will give you options down the road in terms of upgrading considering future CPUs will only support DDR3 (the latest Phenom IIs and i7s already do).

 

[legocitytruck]

Will software eventually be written to take advantage of the benefits of DDR3?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: legocitytruck
Will software eventually be written to take advantage of the benefits of DDR3?

You shouldn't worry about that.
Usually hardware is always ahead of software.