DDR3 memory is still the standard, but there are rumors that it will be replaced by GDDR5. What does this mean for gamers?
You’re probably debating what to do next with your construction. Should you construct a gaming computer using your older ddr3 memories or should you build a Skylake/Haswell-E gaming machine with faster ddr4 memories and totally forgo ddr3 ram?
The answer is more complicated than a simple YES or NO. Well, in this article, I’m going to clear up the misunderstanding between ddr3 and ddr4 memory selection using real-world examples and resources so you can make an informed decision about your design. Memory plays a different function in gaming than it does in most cases when selecting between two strong graphics cards.
Because games heavily rely on the CPU and GPU, claiming that ddr4 memory would perform better in gaming because they are clocked higher and use less power isn’t adequate to support the claim.
Due to lower costs and the usage of Skylake CPUs, DDR4 memory are becoming more popular among gamers and non-gamers alike. The primary rationale for using ddr4 memory modules is that the core i3/i5/i7 sixth generation CPUs are almost same in price to Haswell processors.
But what if you have an AMD system or a non-Skylake/Haswell-E configuration? Is it true that ddr3 memory isn’t worth the money, and that they should be abandoned right now?
Comparison of Speeds
THE MYTH #1: “In the Ram area, speed is frequently misunderstood. People believe that speed equals performance, but when it comes to real-world benchmarks, the results aren’t that impressive.” BUT, ACTUALLY? It doesn’t matter how fast you go.
THE MYTH #2: “A RAM’s performance is determined by its frequency and CAS delay.” In general, faster RAM has greater CAS delay, which cancels each other out and gives almost identical performance.” Again, to some degree, you are correct.
So, here’s a video of Linus comparing memory clocked at various frequencies:
To be honest, this video is fine for the most part. He’s a huge tech, and I’m nothing in comparison. But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but
The “True Latency” of a Ram module is not the CAS latency. Allow me to explain this in layman’s terms. This is how a memory works:-
The necessary bandwidth to transmit the data is determined by the amount of frequency it possesses. A Ram module can transfer more data at a higher frequency. However, it operates in cycles, and each Ram module has a certain amount of cycles, referred to as CAS latency. It may vary from three to eighteen. The Ram will be quicker if the number of cycles is reduced. SDR and DDR memory modules have three CAS latency in earlier generations of RAM. Does this imply that they will react to an operation more quickly?
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO However, each cycle has its own set of timings. SDR and DDR modules, for example, have one cycle of 8 and 6 NS (nanoseconds), respectively, while DDR3 memory clocked at 1333Mhz have one cycle of 1.5 NS, which is much less than SDR and DDR Ram modules. Although 1333Mhz DDR3 Ram has a CAS latency of 9, the total actual latency of DDR3 memory is considerably lower. The following formula may be used to do this:
Clock cycle time(NS) x CAS Latency/ Number of clock cycles = True Latency(NS).
So, if a Ram module has a higher CAS latency but a much shorter clock cycle time, it will function quicker.
Latency vs. speed www.crucial.com is a good place to start.
So, what’s the verdict? The chart above shows that the lowest possible real latency is 13.50, which is for a DDR3 1333Mhz Ram module. As the frequency rose, the true latency increased a little bit as well, but owing to the higher speeds, they will function almost similarly. When it came down to it, the actual latency of DDR4 2666Mhz memory modules was the same as that of DDR3 1333Mhz memory modules.
As a result, the DDR4 2666Mhz RAM module will perform better and is the best option.
Support and power usage
DDR3 memories operate at 1.5V, while DDR4 memories operate at 1.25V. As a result, we’ve made a modest improvement over the prior generation. Although voltage is not equivalent to power consumption, lower voltage devices operating under the same conditions will need less power in principle and practice. I can only presume what major authority websites like Anandtech.com and eetimes.com have said since I don’t have sources for exact power usage of both kinds of memory.
However, even if DDR4 memories use less power, the difference in overall power consumption of a single system isn’t significant enough to infer that you should exclusively use DDR4 memories. However, in workstations with hundreds of high-end computers, DDR4 is unquestionably the way to go. Because each computer’s power savings add up to a significant amount of power savings.
But what about assistance? How much memory can you fit into a DDR3 or DDR4 system? A DDR3 memory-based system can support up to 128GB of memory, while a DDR4 memory-based system can support up to 512GB of memory, according to the source eetimes.com. So, what’s the point? You’re not going to be able to have that much. Even 32 GB of DDR3 or DDR4 memory is excessively large for a gaming computer.
So, if we just consider a Gaming Computer, there is no winner between DDR3 and DDR4 memory.
Performance
When it comes to real-world game performance, we need to look at the data rather than the theory. Anandtech.com compared the two in a variety of games, and the results were generally in line with predictions. In games where the GPU was integrated, the DDR4 memories performed much faster than the DDR3 memories, but with dedicated graphics cards, the difference was not noticeable at all, regardless of whether they were low end or high end.
However, in non-gaming programs such as Winrar, the DDR4 beat the DDR3 by a significant margin and was quicker.
Price
DDR4 memory prices were formerly extremely expensive, but as Skylake systems became more popular, they began to cost about the same as DDR3 memories. A single stick of Crucial Ballistix DDR3 memory rated at 1600Mhz costs about $30, while a DDR4 Crucial 2400Mhz memory costs around the same. Similarly, Kingston sells 16GB of DDR3 memory for $75, and the same applies for 16GB of DDR4 memory modules for $75, but the clock speeds are different.
Conclusion
After considering all of these aspects, we’ve determined that DDR4 memory are best suited for gaming and non-gaming applications, particularly when utilizing the integrated graphics unit. But does this mean DDR3 should be abandoned?
No, if you have DDR3 memory or wish to construct a system with DDR3 memory, go ahead. Don’t believe anybody until credible evidence emerges that DDR4 memory are significantly quicker in gaming than DDR3 equivalents. However, if you’re building a brand-new gaming rig, I’d recommend DDR4 for the time being. However, upgrading your computer to a newer CPU and motherboard just for the purpose of adding DDR4 memory is a waste of money.
The ddr3 vs ddr4 performance is a question that has been on the minds of gamers for a while. There are many factors to consider when deciding between the two types of memory, but ultimately it is up to the user to decide which type they will use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DDR3 still good 2021?
DDR3 is still good for 2021, but DDR4 will be the next standard.
Is DDR3 memory still good?
DDR3 memory is still very much in use, but you should buy DDR4 memory if youre looking for a new PC.
Is DDR3 RAM outdated?
DDR3 RAM is not outdated. It is still in use today, but it has been replaced by DDR4 RAM.
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