ddr2 vs ddr3, which one should i choose

[mohamedrai2003]

i know ddr2 is outdated. but help me with this. Is a ddr2 1gb x 4 at 667 MHz better than ddr3 2gb x 2 at 800 MHz
I have calculated 667 x 4 and 800 x 2. and 667 x 4 is higher. But is this a good option to go with at the moment.

 

[Tumeden]

if the motherboard you're using supports it, then DDR3 is significantly faster then DDR2.

 

[SkyNetRising]

You have to use the type of ram that is supported by motherboard of your pc. Choice usually is not an option.
DDR2 and DDR3 are not interchangeable.
You can't use DDR3, if motherboard supports DDR2 only.
The same goes, if your motherboard supports DDR3 only, then you can't use DDR2.

 

[mohamedrai2003]

I m aware of it, I have two separate motherboards. One is a ddr2 and the other is a ddr3. In the ddr3 mobo, it has 2 slots with 2 gb ram in each, speed at 800 MHz. And its dual channel, so that must make it 1600MHz
In the ddr2 mobo, it has 4 slots with 1 gb ram sticks on each, speed at 667, and in total it must be 2668MHz, right?
So i m not sure which one to go with.
dont mind if the ddr2 is out dated, in the future i m buying a better ddr3 mobo and rams

 

[SkyNetRising]

No. You can't do math like that.

DDR3 is 1600mhz (800mhz actual, 1600mhz effective since there are 2 data transfers per cycle).
DDR2 is 667mhz (333mhz actual, 667mhz effective since again - 2 data transfers per cycle).

Dual channel means wider data path. It's still the same operating frequency.
And your DDR2 motherboard is still only dual channel (not quad channel).

Anyway - dual channel DDR3 is always faster than dual channel DDR2.

 

[mohamedrai2003]

Thank you so much, it helped a lot