Which kind of RAM? DDR2 or DDR3?
By zhorak
@zhorak (491)
Turkey
July 22, 2009 5:35am CST
Hello all,
I am planning to buy a new computer. I want to play computer games without any problem so the system will be fine. But the price is also important.
I am using DDR1 RAM in this computer. This is very old and that's why I want to buy a new one. I lookes at the prices and saw that DDR2 rams are much cheaper than the old DDRs. Also everyone says that DDR2s are much faster. First, I just wanted to buy a DDR2 RAM. It was cheap and it may be enough for me. But I learned that my motherboard isn't supporting DDR2. Only DDR1 is supported. But DDR1 has almost triple price! And it is a very old technology. I think buying a new motherboard and some new stuff will be better.
I decide not to buy a DDR1 but now I have another problem. You may have heard about the new RAM technology: DDR3. It is expensive, bacause it is new but it is better too. Do you know if it worths its high price or DDR2 is still the best choice?
Buying an expensive DDR3 may be better than buying a cheap DDR2 because a few years later, the prices will be changed. DDR3s will be much cheaper and in future if I will decide to buy an additional RAM, having a DDR3 supported motherboard may be better for future.
I need your opinions, please.
11 responses
@shankarbaddi (785)
• India
22 Jul 09
You are right my friend DDR1 RAM is more costly compared to the other DDR2 or DD3 RAM. I would suggest you to change your motherboard. Opt for an AMD processor some what around 6000 series or Phenomen it has has inbuilt graphics. Or you can also buy an addtional graphics card which is dedicated and not shared. As you wish to play games i suggested you this Configuration. And also to purchase DDR3 RAM of 800Mhz this will make your system more advanced and no need to update for a few years. As the computer personnel to the a motherboard and RAM that work efficiently because motherboard and RAM cooperation also matter for your performance. Do not purchase dynet or Zion as you find them cheap i guess as it will not be a good gaming experience. Opt for some good company
Let me know which configuration you opted for when you purchased ok.
Feel free to comment
1 person likes this
@zhorak (491)
• Turkey
22 Jul 09
Thanks for advices my friend.
I think my graphics card will work for a few more years because it isn't so old. I have a ATI 9600 256 mb not shared. I think this is enough for me until new games require 512 mb graphic cards. I will change graphics card later.
Roughly, I can buy three 1 GB DDR2 at the same price of 1 GB DDR3. Also for DDR3, a greater motherboard is necessary I guess. Do you advise DDR3 even though its price?
@shankarbaddi (785)
• India
22 Jul 09
I do not think so DDR3 RAM is so costly. Well once again i will check out with the rates and let you because as according me i heard that DDR3 RAM is bit costly than DDR2 RAM. Even though if you plan to buy DDR2 RAM opt for the 800MHZ as the processing will be speed. As you said that you said that you have 256 dedicated i think in the near future its not enough. There is a 8600 GTA i guess its really great, with good graphics. Which processor are you willing to buy.
1 person likes this
@zhorak (491)
• Turkey
22 Jul 09
Okey, I will think about changing the graphics card too. If I can afford, of course.
I am not sure about processor. I don't want everything in a discussion because there are lots of details. It will be messy. After I decide DDR type, I will ask about CPU options in a new discussion.
I checked RAMs DDR3 1 Gb 1800Mhz and DDR2 1 Gb 800 Mhz. Between those two, there are a large difference in price. And DDR3 motherboards is more expensive too.
@funnystuff (14)
• India
23 Jul 09
DDR3 is the newer version of RAM . it is faster than the DDR2 rams.
but is cost more than DDR2.
PERFORMANCE OF DD3 IS BEETER THAN THE DDR2.
if you want your system faster then before you must upgrade your ram to ddr3
1 person likes this
@net_ankit (643)
• India
22 Jul 09
You are right that DDR 3 is the latest version of DDR SDRAM but I can say today in market DDR2 800mhz famous and DDR3 is new but it is also costly then DDR2 adn yes Motherboard which support DDR3 also costly, So it will be expensive matter for you because you want newer one but if you wait for some time it's prices will definetly come down and if you don't have money problem then gofor it.
I can say DDR2 with 4GB support RAM is Wonderful.
@zhorak (491)
• Turkey
22 Jul 09
I think I won't wait because I want to play some computer games this summer. And my old computer can die before I buy a new one. It is really old 
I think I will buy DDR2 an use this for a few years. Then a new technology will boom and DDR3s will be much cheaper. If this happens, I may upgrade to DDR3 one day.
DDR2 RAMs are cheap so 4 GB isn't a problem but I wonder if it is necessary 
I think I will buy DDR2 an use this for a few years. Then a new technology will boom and DDR3s will be much cheaper. If this happens, I may upgrade to DDR3 one day.
DDR2 RAMs are cheap so 4 GB isn't a problem but I wonder if it is necessary 
@VisuUnome (208)
• India
22 Jul 09
i recommend you that you better to buy a ddr2 ram rather than the ddr3 because changes should occur in the future but you do not know that what kind of changes may occur,so its better to buy ddr2
@davidprosser (5)
•
23 Jul 09
It really depends on your budget - if you're willing to splash out a bit, then I'd advise getting a motherboard that supports DDR2. DDR2 will be sufficient in almost all cases - even for the majority of the latest games. Matched with a decent graphics card - preferably something with at least 256MB, if not 512MB or higher of dedicated video memory, and a good CPU - you'll be well on your way! But be careful not to rush into it - I kinda did when I built my PC, and I nearly ordered the wrong type of RAM, so just make sure you know exactly what you're getting. EEC or NON-EEC or DIMM and all of the other spec! Good luck and I hope the PC comes out well! Dave
@zhorak (491)
• Turkey
23 Jul 09
DDR2 is sufficent today but how long do you think it will be sufficent for new games? For example will it be sufficent for 3 years? Changing to DDR3 will be hard because DDR2 and DDR3 motherboards have different CPU sockets. So upgrading to DDR3 means a new computer except graphics card. If you think DDR2 technology will not be enough soon, I perefer to buy a DDR3 instead. This may cause a cheaper CPU but I will replace CPU instead of all the system a few years later.
Thank you and happy mylotting.
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
3 Dec 09
Well i think DDR3 is better and it is cheaper than ddr 2 in my country yea .
@shav9292 (928)
• India
22 Jul 09
hello,
i say you go with DDR 2 cause its the cheapest now.you never know what might come next if you pay more and buy DDR3 few month later you may find that DDR's are old school.and the point about motherboard you mentioned....if you buy a motherboard(new) make sure it is for the processor you want.socket 478 is for p4.
and for games point you mentioned.
just having RAM you cant play good games.....you should buy a decent graphics card.
now i have nvidia gforce 8400gs its the cheapest one around.
but its not a high end graphics card people say but personally i think it great for the price.i own 512 mb one and played assassins creed,GTA 4,crysis warhead on low settings and almost all other games on medium no problem eg:ultimate paradise burnout.but if you want extremely good graphics then you will have to pay more.
...
hey one request....i am in need of a motherboard for P4,if you are currently having pentium 4 and dont want the motherboard....im willing to buy it.but not much ^_^.
1 person likes this
@zhorak (491)
• Turkey
22 Jul 09
Thanks for your advises.
I think you are right about the risk of buying a DDR3. They might produce DDR4 next year, who knows. I am still double minded between DDR2 and 3.
My graphics card is ATI 9600 type and has 256 MB memory (not shared). Do you think this is enough to play the new games?
I won't need my motherboard anymore I think. I can sell it if you need, of course. Yes it is pentium 4. It is an ASUS P4B533 you can see the details on ASUS website, I don't know it well. PM me if you have a price offer
@EliteUser (3964)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
Hello,
As of now, my computer (motherboard) only support DDR2 RAM, so if I would want to install DDR3 RAM, I would need to change my motherboard or to make it easier, but a whole new computer. But yes, in a few years DDR3 RAM might cost just as much as DDR2 RAM costs now. Make sure you have a good day, Happy Lotting!!
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
As a computer technician. My opinion about you question. DRR3 is worth even do it is high in price. You to for it because the technology in computer is faster and a month later DRR3 will be paste out again in the Market. Go for the new one for not being left behind and make your computer faster.
For me I look for peripherals that is upgradable in using it a four years or more to satisfy it's longevity in use. I make sure that computer is compatible in all components so that if I need to upgrade the system in a new accessories it can carry it.
Hope this will give you idea..have a nice day!
