System upgrade thoughts DDR2 vs DDR3

[Pyrokinetic]

Hey everyone, just wanted some feedback on my ideas for freshening up my system. I have a DFI 790FX board that uses DDR2. It will take AM3 processors, and was looking to upgrade to a Phenom II X3, an SSD, and a new graphics card, also a full Windows 7 Ultimate from XP.

I am a general computer user and like gaming...I do not use the system for anything like video editing or the like that is thread intensive or really bandwidth heavy.

Would I notice that much performance difference in buying a new board and switching to DDR3? I have 4GB of DDR2 1000 from OCZ that should overclock to DDR2 1066 to work with the Phenom II X3.

I would rather use the money toward a new graphics card (and the OS) than having to buy a new motherboard and memory.

Opinions?

 

[Concillian]

If you have a specific application that makes use of memory bandwidth you might notice a difference.


For general computing, I think you won't notice any difference unless you run a benchmarking program.

That being said, I haven't even heard much about "the next desktop memory technology'. DDR3 may be around a while.
You possibly want to sell your DDR2 platform while it's not totally worthless, but it may be too late already.

 

[Blain]

Just hold out a bit longer for DDR4.

 

[Absolution75]

DDR4 is over a year out (probably even 2 years before its considered affordable). Memory prices for 2x4GB ddr3 modules are dropping, so companies are ramping up production there.

Ram shouldn't be a reason to upgrade though - unless you want more of it.

 

[fffblackmage]

I wouldn't upgrade a mobo just for the sake of moving from DDR2 to DDR3. I'm pretty sure there's more than enough bandwidth available with dual channel DDR2.

 

[khansolo]

I'd say stick with the ram you got. You'd be better served by upgrading to Windows 7 (though I'd say pro version instead of ultimate). I love W7 x64. All my ram is used as opposed to the old limit that was imposed when I had XP.

 

[WildW]

I'm running a Phenom II and haven't felt at all limited by DDR2. It wasn't long ago that people agreed that there was little to no benefit from DDR2-1066 over 800.

 

[Emulex]

the higher density 1Rx4GB and 2Rx8GB are more interesting to me

even though SSD is k-rad more ram is always better if you are a serious user.

 

[bigpimpatl]

won't make much of a difference IMO. and not worth the price of the mobo and RAM, spend it elsewhere.

 

[mtnd3vil]

I considered that very upgrade to carry my Q9300 to 8GB of DDR3 (I have 4x 1GB DDR2 Modules and have no interest in spending more money on DDR2)

Ultimately I decided to put up with it and wait till I buy a full CPU/mobo/RAM drop in for my system. I estimate my cost to be ~$800. This will be a 32nm quad core system that I purchase in Q1 2011.

Save your money and upgrade the trio.

 

[tweakboy]

better latency vs higher memory speed transfers.

 

[taltamir]

Would I notice that much performance difference in buying a new board and switching to DDR3? I have 4GB of DDR2 1000 from OCZ that should overclock to DDR2 1066 to work with the Phenom II X3.

expect about a 1% to 3% average speed improvement.