DDR2 or DDR3???

[xExDiesel]

I'm getting ready to build a new PC using an AMD 955be and need to figure out what MB to get. So in order to make my decision, I need to figure out whether or not going to DDR3 instead of DD2 is worth the extra $. I plan to mainly use it for web browsing, Photoshop, and some gaming (*mainly game on consoles).

Sorry if this seems like a noob question, but hey, I am a noob. This will be my first attempt at building a system myself, so any input you my have is very appreciated.

 

[Outlander_04]

ddr2 is at the end of its production life . In a year it will be expensive legacy stock if ddr is a good indicator .

For ongoing parts support buy ddr3 and an AM3 mb IMO

 

[xExDiesel]

Ok, good points. I heard that I need to use DDR3 with 1.5v, does that include 1.5v-1.7v? or just the 1.5v which seem to be a little more pricey.


Zip...thanks for the link.

 

[mtyermom]

Theres no difference performance wise between ddr2 and ddr3. However, for future upgradability you should go with ddr3. Its cheap enough. Newegg has 6gb of OCZ for $69.99 after $20 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL051909&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL051909-_-DesktopMemory-_-L0C-_-20227381

Use promo code EMCLSMX33

For the record, that is a triple channel DDR3 kit, which the Intel i7s use.

 

[cjl]

Heck of a waste to buy 3 and only use 2 though.

Here's a low voltage kit designed for AMD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227448

 

[rwayne]

Theres no difference performance wise between ddr2 and ddr3. However, for future upgradability you should go with ddr3. Its cheap enough. Newegg has 6gb of OCZ for $69.99 after $20 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL051909&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL051909-_-DesktopMemory-_-L0C-_-20227381

Use promo code EMCLSMX33

I disagree. AMD stated that DDR3 gives their CPUs about a 5% speed increase. However, would the average user be able to appreciate that difference? Probably not.

The problem that we have been faced with for the past several years is that each new generation of ram wipes out it's performance increase with higher latency times. I think the first quantium leap in ram speed will occur when DDR5 ram is available for motherboards.

 

[cjl]

I disagree. AMD stated that DDR3 gives their CPUs about a 5% speed increase. However, would the average user be able to appreciate that difference? Probably not.

The problem that we have been faced with for the past several years is that each new generation of ram wipes out it's performance increase with higher latency times. I think the first quantium leap in ram speed will occur when DDR5 ram is available for motherboards.

Not at all. DDR3-1600 CAS 8 has zero disadvantages when compared to DDR2-800 CAS 4. They have the same CAS latency (5 nanoseconds), and the DDR3 has twice the bandwidth. Therefore, in all RAM limited apps, it will be at worst identical to the DDR2-800, and at best twice the speed. In addition, for a bit more money, you can get DDR3-1600 CAS 7 (the equivalent of CAS 3.5 in DDR2-800) or even CAS 6 in a few cases. I don't recall there ever being a CAS 3 DDR2-800 kit available.

 

[rwayne]

I still respectfully disagree. There are performance increases. Why would all of these companies go through all of the trouble of introducing DDR3 if there was no peformance benefit over DDR2? I realize it creates a selling opportunity for uneducated consumers, but there has to be a reason beyond that.

DDR2 800 is 3% faster than DDR2 533. I can provide several references / links to support this claim. Yes the latencies do double but there are minor speed increases.

Look at AMDs power point. They contribute DDR3 1333 to increasing the speed of their Phenom II processors over the previous generation.

Here is the article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-940,2114-3.html

 

[cjl]

You just agreed with my statement

I was defending the fact that there are gains from DDR3. Oh, and latencies don't double. They stay the same for the most part, with an actual trend that is slightly decreasing. DDR2-800 CAS 4 has latency of 5 nanoseconds, while DDR3-1600 CAS 7 (not too uncommon right now) is a bit shorter, at 4.375 nanoseconds.

 

[cjl]

Why would all of these companies go through all of the trouble of introducing DDR3 if there was no peformance benefit over DDR2?

How is it a waste if you get 2gb more for the same price? What if you want to sell it to someone down the road with a i7 system? What if you want to get 2 kits and have 12gb on your AMD system?

You can't have 12 gigs on your AMD system - it doesn't have the slots. Where did you hear about the quad channel memory btw? I haven't seen anything about that, aside from high end multi socket parts.