DDR2 versus DDR3

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - DDR2 versus DDR3

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Word :    Username :           
 

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

Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
- 0 +

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


Message edited by daft on 06-03-2009 at 10:44:48 PM
Reply to daft

get which ever one is cheaper (if you get DDR2, make sure you get 4GB, the price will probably go up like DDR)

Reply to mindless728

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.

Reply to Anonymous

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.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
Reply to megamanx00
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > DDR2 versus DDR3
Go to:

There are 1266 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them