DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM - What's the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 memory? How do you tell them apart? Can you use DDR3 RAM in a DDR2 socket? Get the full answers right here.
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The RAM found in most modern desktop and laptop computers is DDR3 RAM (DDR3 is short for Double Data Rate Type 3). To be more precise, its full technical name is DDR3 SDRAM.
If your computer was built in 2008 or earlier, then chances are that it has the older DDR2 RAM instead.
At buildcomputers.net, we don't take chances or make guesses... so let's learn what are the differences between DDR3 vs DDR2 RAM and how to tell them apart.
How to Tell If You Have a DDR2 or DDR3 RAM Module
In terms of physical appearance, DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM looks largely similar. They are of the same length (~13.3 cm or 5.25 in) and have the same number of pins (240):
DDR3 wont fit in a DDR2 slot. Though they both are the exact same length and number of pins, they have different architecture. Besides the 'notch' on the ram is in a different location so you cant physically put DDR2 ram in a DDR3 slot or vise versa. You cannot change DDR2 modules for DDR3, they are different technologies and the modules are not compatible with each other. According to Crucial you can upgrade your laptop either to 4GB or to 8GB, depending on the exact model.
- No you can't use a DDR3 on DDR2 slot in motherboard unless your motherboard supports a DDR3 RAM memory. Most commonly motherboards are not backward compatible too in case of RAM modules. Answered May 25, 2017 by Abraham ● 1 ● 8 ● 28.
- The Dell specs say each slot can support maximum of 2GB per module so you can have 4 x 2GB = 8GB maximum of DDR2 RAM @800Mhz. But note that if you are running 32bit windows then you will only be able to use max of 3.5GB RAM, however much you physically install.
Here's the trick to tell them apart: Look at their notch positions (circled in yellow above).
Thanks to the latest Can I Install Ddr3 Ram In Ddr2 Slot Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology, players can make deposits and withdrawals at JackpotCity Casino with complete peace of mind, as all personal details are protected at all times.
As you can see from the image below, the DDR2 notch is located near the middle of the RAM stick while the DDR3 notch is positioned nearer to the left side. If you want to be more precise,
- DDR2: distance between left side of RAM stick and notch = 7.1 cm (2.8 in)
- DDR3: distance between left side of RAM stick and notch = 5.4 cm (2.1 in)
This difference in notch position is also why you can't use DDR3 RAM in a DDR2 system or install DDR2 RAM into a DDR3 slot (even though they have the same number of pins).
In short, DDR2 and DDR3 RAM are not compatible with each other: If your motherboard has DDR2 RAM slots, then you can only use DDR2 RAM. The same applies to DDR3 RAM.
What's the Difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM?
Can You Put Ddr3 Ram In A Ddr2 Slot
| DDR2 RAM | DDR3 RAM |
Number of Pins | 240 pins | 240 pins |
Clock Speed | 400 to 1,066 MHz | 800 to 2,933 MHz |
Max Transfer Rate | 3,200 to 8,533 MB/s | 6,400 to 17,067 MB/s |
Voltage | 1.8V | 1.5V |
From the DDR2 vs DDR3 table above, we can see that DDR3 RAM offers better performance while consuming less power.
The difference in clock speed and max transfer rate numbers look impressive on paper, but DDR3 RAM is in fact just 2 to 10% faster than DDR2 RAM for most real-world applications (depending on your hardware specification and usage).
DDR3 RAM consumes less power and produces less heat than DDR2 RAM at the same clock speed (e.g. DDR3 vs DDR2 RAM that is both running at 1,066 MHz). However there is a catch: RAM with higher clock speeds have higher power consumption so DDR3 RAM running at 2,133 MHz will still drain more power than DDR2 RAM at 1,066 MHz.
Recommended RAM
Budget Computer: 2 x 4GB Crucial DDR4 3200Mhz
Mid Range Computer: 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DD4 3600Mhz
If your computer was built in 2008 or earlier, then chances are that it has the older DDR2 RAM instead.
At buildcomputers.net, we don't take chances or make guesses... so let's learn what are the differences between DDR3 vs DDR2 RAM and how to tell them apart.
How to Tell If You Have a DDR2 or DDR3 RAM Module
In terms of physical appearance, DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM looks largely similar. They are of the same length (~13.3 cm or 5.25 in) and have the same number of pins (240):
DDR3 wont fit in a DDR2 slot. Though they both are the exact same length and number of pins, they have different architecture. Besides the 'notch' on the ram is in a different location so you cant physically put DDR2 ram in a DDR3 slot or vise versa. You cannot change DDR2 modules for DDR3, they are different technologies and the modules are not compatible with each other. According to Crucial you can upgrade your laptop either to 4GB or to 8GB, depending on the exact model.
- No you can't use a DDR3 on DDR2 slot in motherboard unless your motherboard supports a DDR3 RAM memory. Most commonly motherboards are not backward compatible too in case of RAM modules. Answered May 25, 2017 by Abraham ● 1 ● 8 ● 28.
- The Dell specs say each slot can support maximum of 2GB per module so you can have 4 x 2GB = 8GB maximum of DDR2 RAM @800Mhz. But note that if you are running 32bit windows then you will only be able to use max of 3.5GB RAM, however much you physically install.
Here's the trick to tell them apart: Look at their notch positions (circled in yellow above).
Thanks to the latest Can I Install Ddr3 Ram In Ddr2 Slot Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology, players can make deposits and withdrawals at JackpotCity Casino with complete peace of mind, as all personal details are protected at all times.
As you can see from the image below, the DDR2 notch is located near the middle of the RAM stick while the DDR3 notch is positioned nearer to the left side. If you want to be more precise,
- DDR2: distance between left side of RAM stick and notch = 7.1 cm (2.8 in)
- DDR3: distance between left side of RAM stick and notch = 5.4 cm (2.1 in)
This difference in notch position is also why you can't use DDR3 RAM in a DDR2 system or install DDR2 RAM into a DDR3 slot (even though they have the same number of pins).
In short, DDR2 and DDR3 RAM are not compatible with each other: If your motherboard has DDR2 RAM slots, then you can only use DDR2 RAM. The same applies to DDR3 RAM.
What's the Difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM?
Can You Put Ddr3 Ram In A Ddr2 Slot
| DDR2 RAM | DDR3 RAM |
Number of Pins | 240 pins | 240 pins |
Clock Speed | 400 to 1,066 MHz | 800 to 2,933 MHz |
Max Transfer Rate | 3,200 to 8,533 MB/s | 6,400 to 17,067 MB/s |
Voltage | 1.8V | 1.5V |
From the DDR2 vs DDR3 table above, we can see that DDR3 RAM offers better performance while consuming less power.
The difference in clock speed and max transfer rate numbers look impressive on paper, but DDR3 RAM is in fact just 2 to 10% faster than DDR2 RAM for most real-world applications (depending on your hardware specification and usage).
DDR3 RAM consumes less power and produces less heat than DDR2 RAM at the same clock speed (e.g. DDR3 vs DDR2 RAM that is both running at 1,066 MHz). However there is a catch: RAM with higher clock speeds have higher power consumption so DDR3 RAM running at 2,133 MHz will still drain more power than DDR2 RAM at 1,066 MHz.
Recommended RAM
Budget Computer: 2 x 4GB Crucial DDR4 3200Mhz
Mid Range Computer: 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DD4 3600Mhz
Can I Use Ddr3 Ram In Ddr2 Slots
Gaming Computer: 2 x 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR4 3600Mhz
Can I Use Ddr3 Ram In Ddr2 Slot Car
Home Theater PC: 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3600Mhz
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Can We Use Ddr3 Ram In Ddr2 Slot
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