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Can I run DDR 3 with the new X99 equipment?

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  • DDR
  • Memory
  • Performance
Last response: in Memory
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August 28, 2014 5:29:52 AM

Hey Guys,

This may be a silly question but I was looking to upgrade to the new X99 platform and was wondering if I could run DDR 3 instead of the super expensive DDR 4. I would assume that DDR 4 would give slightly better performance but I would rather not spend $400 on a ram kit.

As always any help is appreciated. Thanks a lot!

More about : run ddr x99 equipment

August 28, 2014 5:43:23 AM

They are not compatible, ddr4 has a different pin count to ddr3 (288 vs 240) so are not compatible. Likely they are also keyed differently (notch in the ram stick in a different position) as ddr, ddr2 and ddr3 all have different keys. Depending on what you are running at the moment it may not be worth switching to x99 right away. The cpus are not going to be compatible as although the socket still has 2011 pins they are keyed differently and are electrically different, not to mention the difference in chipsets.
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a b } Memory
August 28, 2014 5:49:30 AM

The new Haswell-e CPU's support only DDR4 memory.
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August 28, 2014 6:27:53 AM

well i guess the next question would be is DDR 4 with the CAS latency of 15 (i think) any better than current DDR 3 with CAS 9?

I don't know much about hardware i'm mostly a software guy. I dont mind spending the extra money if the equipment is good, but if its not ill just roll with last gen parts until DDR 4 settles down a bit. Would like to go Haswell-e.
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a b } Memory
August 28, 2014 8:56:12 AM

You know, I haven't researched it much myself. But I honestly don't think there is going to be a lot of difference right away. I mean, memory is not really a bottleneck. Even now, faster memory shows improvements in benchmarks, but the fact remains there are very few things that it actually makes any difference you can see sitting in front of the machine. So I for one, would not be in huge hurry to adopt to DDR4 memory for the time being. In a year or two though, that may change.

There is a very knowledgeable memory guy who frequents the forums named Tradesman, perhaps he may chime in and shed some light.
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a c 2285 } Memory
August 28, 2014 2:39:48 PM

DDR2 to DDR3 was a big jump and to me a good one, DDR3 to DDR4 not so much, at least initially...The early release sticks are pretty much being made to JEDEC specs and not overly impressive, i.e. 2133 at CL 13, yes it's lower voltage and higher density, which are good things, but I myself will be reserving judgement as far as performance till I can get my hands on some.....also fully expect the DRAM manufacturers, once they are fairly well geared up to go the way they did with DDR3 and leave JEDEC behind and improve the performance on their own. Remember that DDR3 wasn't planned to exceed 1600 sticks and both 1866 and 2133 were on the market long before JEDEC issued standards for same. 2400 and now up through 32 sticks in DDR3 currently available were never envisioned by the 'brain' trust at JEDEC....DDR3 advances have been driven by the manufactures, and Intel in particular has been watching and improving their MCs (memory controllers) accordingly, seeing the buyers wanting faster DRAM and higher performance.

Given what we've seen happen with DDR3 (driven by the manufacturers) and the fact that JEDEC started working on standards for DDR4 back around 2005, I would guess within 6 months to a year, DDR4 will be more driven towards higher performance sticks that what we see in this initial outlay of choices
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August 29, 2014 5:39:39 AM

Wow that is some great info, thanks a lot for all the input.

So based off of what tradesman has said i would (judging by my limited knowledge) assume that the RAM will be something that I am forced into now, but will be able to upgrade later to a better set for a lower cost.

My problem is that my current hardware is on its last legs and i am looking to do a full system upgrade (it has been about 5 years so i cant complain to much). I was thinking about going to the X99 platform and I think it may be the way to go to get another 5+ years from the system. I am open to suggestions though. Price really isn't a huge issue (obviously i don't want to over spend, but i will buy what i need to.) I do a lot of 3D modeling, animation, rendering / After Effects and a bit of gaming on the side ;) . The X99 platform seemed great and the DDR4 ram, although not something that would be good now, seems like it could become a worthy step up in the future?

As always any help is appreciated. Thanks!
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a c 2285 } Memory
August 29, 2014 9:39:25 AM

Yes and you'll prob be quite happy w/ it, the rig will have plenty of power, and you are in the same position as every one else moving upward :) 
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