Planning for DDR4

[CakeMonster]

I have a few questions about what to expect for DDR4 and I hope there is some knowledge about it known even though there is little support for it yet.

DDR4 will launch at speeds around the "enthusiast" level of DDR3 (2133MHz), but with higher latencies.

1. Can I expect better memory performance in real world applications/games going from "official speed" DDR3 (1600) to DDR4 (2133) despite the latencies?

2. Will the CPUs/Chipsets be designed to take advantage of higher throughput for DDR4? For DDR3 speed hardly mattered and from what I understood that was a conscious design choice by Intel given the speed limitations of DDR3.

3. If I buy a set of DDR4 now (say 32Gb) expecting the amount to last for 5-6 years, can I expect to still be practically forced to upgrade because of major frequency/voltage/timing revisions later on?

 

[ShintaiDK]

1. Better memory performance may not translate into higher system performance. Its no different than the DDR3 debate. So its the exact same apps that benefit and dont.

2. If the apps can utilize it yes. Its not the hardware thats lacking if thats what you ask.

3. DDR4 wont change in voltage. Its a final spec. Just a previous with DDR2, DDR3 etc. And the speeds are already fixed in terms of JEDEC specs. 2133 up to 4266.

 

[CakeMonster]

Ok, so I guess you're saying its mostly software design that we're not seeing much performance increase with increased DDR3 speeds today. Hard to guess what the case will be for DDR4 then...

If specs are up to 4266, then I would suppose I would be tempted to upgrade later anyway, just from the sheer numbers.

Hmm, its hard to know these things anyway I suppose but thanks for the answer.