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    DDR2 vs DDR3

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jmerkin, Jul 30, 2008.

  1. jmerkin

    jmerkin Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've read that there currently is no difference performance-wise. However, wouldn't it be prudent, if getting a new laptop, to get one with DDR3 RAM so that when the technology catches up and the price comes down, you'll be able to upgrade to the better, faster RAM? Also, would the higher 1066MHz FSB on the new C2Ds be wasted with 800MHz RAM?
     
    jmerkin, Jul 30, 2008
    #1
  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    There will be no use of buying a laptop with DDR3 RAM support atm....because the fastest is DDR3-1066, which does not give any significant peformance increase over the DDR2-800....

    The modules will be costly right now, and DDR3 will make sense when the higher bandwidth modules come out, such as the DDR3-1333 and above..!!

    wasted..??
     
    Andy, Jul 30, 2008
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  3. jmerkin

    jmerkin Notebook Enthusiast

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    i've seen some models offering 1333, but point being, you can't switch DDR2 for DDR3, so even though they are roughly the same now, it won't remain that way (1333MHz is prohibitively expensive, but it will come down eventually). If you get a laptop with DDR3, can't you just upgrade to faster RAM later on?

    Would the faster RAM be wasted on a proc with a 1066MHz FSB? I read somewhere that it is best to have them match.
     
    jmerkin, Jul 30, 2008
    #3
  4. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    If you install PC3-8500 in dual channel mode (theoretical bandwidth - 17.07GB/s) in your notebook, your cpu's fsb will bottleneck it to 8.5GB/s (FSB = 266MHz)....
     
    Andy, Jul 30, 2008
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  5. Pascal_TTH

    Pascal_TTH Notebook Geek

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    DDR3 use 1.5 volt while DDR2 use 1.8 volt (20% more)
     
    Pascal_TTH, Jul 30, 2008
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