What is the difference between DDR1 DDR2 and DDR3? – The Complete Idiot’s Guide

What is the confusion about RAM?
Most computer users do a little research before upgrading their system to find out exactly what is the perfect combination of CPU, motherboard, and video card that will meet all their needs. But most of them fail when it comes to RAM. They only know the size of the RAM, i.e. 1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB, but they don’t know what it is DDR1, DDR2 or DDR3. That’s why I came up with an idiot’s guide to buying RAM, because it turns out that selecting the right DDR variant is a very important factor that determines how your system will perform overall, so all users should be advised. of computers that learn that.

DDR1 Specifications
DDR-DIM (Double Data Rate DIMM or DDR DIMM), or more popularly just plain DDR. Double data rate interfaces provide two data transfers per differential clock. The data is recorded when the CK rises [the + side]and /CK low [the – side]. DDR1 uses the JEDEC standard for double date rate [DDR I] SDRAM. Like all DDR RAM, it is available unbuffered or registered. Registered DIMMs are generally known as FB-DIMMs and have their address and control lines buffered to reduce signal load. FB-DIMMs are considerably more expensive than unbuffered DIMMs and are typically reserved for server use. There are very few enthusiasts/prosumers/gamers using FB-DIMMs in their CPUs. Unbuffered DIMMs have no address lines or control line buffers, so they cost a little less. However, they may be limited by system load and are therefore generally restricted in the number that can be installed on a system. You will find that most unbuffered DIMMs these days can only be installed on a motherboard up to a maximum of 4 x 1 GB. Buffered or Registered DIMMs do not have these limitations, and server boards can accommodate 8 x 1 GB, 16 x 1 GB, or more. An interesting and largely unknown aspect of unbuffered DDR DIMMs is that they can operate a faster clock cycle than FB-DIMMs.

DDR2 Specifications
DDR2 memory is the second generation of DDR memory. DDR2 starts with a speed level of 400 MHz as the lowest available, while the 400 MHz speed is actually the highest speed for DDR1. Therefore, DDR2 picks up where DDR1 leaves off. It’s a bit strange, but due to the different latencies, a 400 MHz DDR1 will outperform a 400 MHz DDR2, but the advantage reverts to DDR2 as soon as the speed reaches the next step of 532 MHz, which DDR1 cannot reach.

DDR3 Specifications
DDR3 is the third generation of DDR memory. DDR3 starts at a lower capacity level of 800 Mbps and goes up to 1600 Mbps with a bus speed of up to 2000 MHz. Higher performance with lower power consumption is the main benefit, as the operating voltage is only 1 .5V for DDR3 compared to 1.8V for DDR2. Less heat is generated, which means systems will run cooler. Ultimately, the new technology will result in higher capacity modules: modules up to 8 GB (using 4 Gb chips) to help reduce server/workstation system costs.

transfer fees
Another confusion is that RAM mainly refers to the number of PCs, so here are the transfer rates for the various DDRs:

DDR1 transfer rate
DDR SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR200, DDR266, DDR333 are standard) PC1600 (DDR-200 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100 MHz, Data Rate: 200 MHz, Throughput 1600 MB/s PC2100 (DDR-266 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133 MHz, Data Rate: 266 MHz, Throughput 2100 MB/s PC2400 (DDR-300 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 150 MHz, Data Rate: 300 MHz, Throughput 2400 MB/s PC2700 (DDR-333 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 166 MHz, Data Rate: 333 MHz, Throughput 2600 MB/s PC3000 (DDR-366 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 183 MHz, Data Rate: 366 MHz, Throughput 2900 MB/s PC3200 (DDR-400 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200 MHz, Data Rate: 400 MHz, Throughput 3200 MB/s

DDR2 transfer rate
DDR2 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM II (Quad Edge Clock Rate, 1.8V signaling), Second Generation PC2-3200 (DDR2-400 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100 MHz, Data Rate: 400 MHz, Throughput 3200 MB/s PC2-4300 (DDR2-533 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133 MHz, Data Rate: 532 MHz, Throughput 4300 MB/s PC2-5300 (DDR2-667 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 167 MHz, Data Rate: 667 MHz, Throughput 5300 MB/s PC2-5400 (DDR2-675 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 167 MHz, Data Rate: 667 MHz, Performance 5400 MB/s PC2-6400 (DDR2-800 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200 MHz, Data Rate: 800 MHz, Throughput 6400 MB/s

DDR3 transfer rate
DDR3 SDRAM: Double Data Rate SDRAM III (Quadruple Edge Clock Rate, 1.5V signaling), Third Generation PC3-6400 (DDR3-800 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 100 MHz, Data Rate: 800 MHz, Performance 6.40 GB/s PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 133 MHz, Data Rate: 1066 MHz, Performance 8.53 GB/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 166 MHz, Data Rate: 1333 MHz, Performance 10.67 GB/s PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600 SDRAM); Clock Speed: 200 MHz, Data Rate: 1600 MHz, Throughput 12.80 GB/s
Now it will be really difficult to list which RAM is best suited for which motherboard. Before you buy RAM, you should research your CPU manufacturer’s RAM recommendations and put that exact type of DDR into it. You’d be just as silly running a PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 with an AMD Sempron 2800+ as you would loading your Intel QX6800 with a PC1600 DDR-200. Every CPU/chipset combo has its proper DDR setting, and you need to figure out exactly what those are and stick with them. If you install a slower than recommended DDR in your system, you will kill critical RAM functions and could slow down your system.

Main manufacturers
Here is the list of some of the main ones as buying a RAM stick from an unknown vendor would end up in warranty issues.

Kingston
Privateer
cent
Crucial
OCZ
Patriot

By following these guidelines and thoroughly researching the right DDR for your system, you’ll enjoy years of fast, trouble-free computing. A little study is a small price to pay!