DDR2 versus DDR3

SatNav

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May 24, 2009
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The DDR2 vs. 3 comments are almost all from way back in 2007 ... apparently I missed the memo - which one is better ? - considering a modest budget - and e7400 core 2 duo ?

Building a system w/ 2.8 ghz (e7400), a ATI Radeon 4770, and 4 gig RAM.

Use: Video / Photo editing, Heavy(10 window+) 2D CAD & WordProc. ( No gaming, and No Raid needed )
Yeah, I know the 4770 is overkill, but I like/want the DDR5 bandwith - (it's the cheapest way to own DDR5)

The ASUS P5QL PRO is only DDR2, the GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3LR is DDR3 ... would the faster RAM memory make a visible difference ?
Both are about $ 85 (after rebates) ... and have good reviews & stability ratings w/ this core2Duo Chip.
. ...Can't spend more than about $ 90. on the MoBo
 

daft

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Mar 30, 2008
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Go with the DDR2. DDR3 makes very little difference. unless you run very very memory intensive applications, you will notice no difference at all.

also, wondering. where do you plan on getting the 4770? just out of interest
 
G

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My motherboard has 2 DDR2 slots and 2 DDR3 slots. This was not planned, as my old mobo had 4 1gb DDR2 sticks in it. And I'n really not all that fond of having just 2 gb of memory.

So my options right now are to get 2 sticks of 2gb DDR2 1066 or 2 sticks of 2gb DDR3 1066.

What kind of difference am I looking at? CL is usually higher on the DDR3 I'm told. And I'm told this is bad.

 
Go with DDR2. While going DDR3 may make sense for an AM3 CPU (up coming bulldozers won't have DDR2 support) it doesn't make much sense on a Core 2 platform. The performance difference is pretty small so you're better off spending the difference (of DDR2 and DDR3 of course) on a better heatsink to overclock your CPU.