What you need to know about DDR4 memory

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    What you need to know about DDR4 memory

    What you need to know about DDR4 memory


    Posted: 17 Nov 2014

    Most computer technologies only last a short time before they are replaced by something new, but DDR RAM is one of the few that tends to last a while before being replaced. The original DDR SDRAM was launched in 2000 and lasted three years before being replaced in 2003 by DDR2 SDRAM.

    DDR2 lasted another four years before being replaced in 2007 with DDR3 SDRAM. Since then, it has been seven years without a new revision of DDR RAM, but DDR4 has finally been launched to replace DDR3 SDRAM.

    What's new in DDR4?

    From a physical standpoint, DDR4 is the same width as DDR3, but is slightly taller by about .9mm. The main physical difference between DDR3 and DDR4 is that DDR4 uses 288 pins compared to the 240 pins on DDR3 and the key is in a different location.

    In addition, the pins on DDR4 are not in a straight line but slightly curved with the middle sticking out further than the pins on the end.

    Though there are ton of changes, the four major improvements of DDR4 SDRAM can be summed up in lower operating voltage, increased power saving enhancements, increased frequency, and improved chip density.
    Read more...
    Brink's Avatar Posted By: Brink
    17 Nov 2014


  1. Lee
    Posts : 4,793
    OS X, Win 10
       #1

    Will be nice if and when I buy a motherboard that will support it. . .:)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #2

    Lee said:
    Will be nice if and when I buy a motherboard that will support it. . .:)
    Be patient, it's just starting, a lot more stuff has to come together before it becomes norm. MBs, processors etc. everything has to support it. Even software will have to be adjusted to make full use of larger capacities and speed. Considering that even DDR3 is still very satisfactory, DDR4 may not become as common for another year or two.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 9,652
    W10 Pro, W10 Home
       #3

    Considering that even DDR3 is still very satisfactory, DDR4 may not become as common for another year or two.
    Just in time for my next build. This PC is 3 years old now and I like to build a new one about every 5 years.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #4

    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #5

    BunnyJ said:
    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
    Oh no, you won't, not if you plan to make new machine 2 or 3 years from now. DDR2 or MBs and processors for it nobody makes any more. There maybe some left (I.m still finding Pentium 1s and 2s) but they are EOL for at least couple of years now.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #6

    CountMike said:
    BunnyJ said:
    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
    Oh no, you won't, not if you plan to make new machine 2 or 3 years from now. DDR2 or MBs and processors for it nobody makes any more. There maybe some left (I.m still finding Pentium 1s and 2s) but they are EOL for at least couple of years now.
    I'm talking of sticking with DDR3. The biggest advantage of DDR4 is voltage reduction and that's great for battery powered devices but kind of useless for desktops. IMO.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #7

    BunnyJ said:
    CountMike said:
    BunnyJ said:
    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
    Oh no, you won't, not if you plan to make new machine 2 or 3 years from now. DDR2 or MBs and processors for it nobody makes any more. There maybe some left (I.m still finding Pentium 1s and 2s) but they are EOL for at least couple of years now.
    I'm talking of sticking with DDR3. The biggest advantage of DDR4 is voltage reduction and that's great for battery powered devices but kind of useless for desktops. IMO.
    Yeah but new DDR3 and parts for it will go the way of Dodo, SDRAM, RDRram, DDR, DDR2 in couple of years and probably up in price too, at least for a while. DDR4 has other advantages over DDR3, higher capacities per stick, higher density, speed etc.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 9,652
    W10 Pro, W10 Home
       #8

    BunnyJ said:
    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
    When I built my current PC I spent a bit more on the components, so I wouldn't have to spend more on upgrading it until my next build. So if DDR4 is available when I build my next PC I will go for it.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #9

    CountMike said:
    BunnyJ said:
    CountMike said:
    BunnyJ said:
    Nice, but I think if it's not a big improvement over DDR3 I'll just pass it by.
    Jeff
    Oh no, you won't, not if you plan to make new machine 2 or 3 years from now. DDR2 or MBs and processors for it nobody makes any more. There maybe some left (I.m still finding Pentium 1s and 2s) but they are EOL for at least couple of years now.
    I'm talking of sticking with DDR3. The biggest advantage of DDR4 is voltage reduction and that's great for battery powered devices but kind of useless for desktops. IMO.
    Yeah but new DDR3 and parts for it will go the way of Dodo, SDRAM, RDRram, DDR, DDR2 in couple of years and probably up in price too, at least for a while. DDR4 has other advantages over DDR3, higher capacities per stick, higher density, speed etc.
    If that's the case I'll have to use DDR4.
      My Computer


 

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