Technology is a very fast-evolving industry. The number of advances technology has made in the past ten years almost makes it seem like science fiction. However, all this is real and quite confusing if you are not keeping up with it. RAM(Random Access Memory) is the most crucial hardware in a PC after the processor. Are you confused between DDR3 and DDR4? Stay tuned to find out all the essential information regarding types of RAM and if it is possible to use DDR3 RAM in DDR4 slot.
If you have never gone hardware shopping, you might not know the difference between a DDR3 and a DDR4 slot. We will tell you about each of these in detail in this article and shed some light on whether DDR3 RAM can work in a DDR4 slot. They both are very similar slots but still are distinct from each other.
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DDR3 RAM In DDR4 Slot?| Do They Work?
No, they don’t. There is no possible way through which you can fit DDR3 RAM in DDR4 slot. Both of them are fundamentally distinct from each other. They are different in terms of the arrangement of the slot and the required voltage, the data processing speed, and compatibility.
When it comes to the required voltage, the DDR3 variant runs on a 1.5V supply, whereas the DDR4 runs at 1.2V. That might seem like a minor difference, but the difference in modules can play a significant difference.
The difference in data processing speeds is also a fundamental difference between these two RAMs. When it comes to DDR3, it comes with an average latency rate of 12.5 nanoseconds, whereas DDR4 comes with a latency rate of 12.75 nanoseconds. The difference might not seem like a lot, but when you look at the difference in the bandwidth, it becomes very easy to determine which is a better choice. The DDR3 RAM provides a bandwidth of 12.8GB/s, whereas DDR4 RAM provides a bandwidth of 21.3GB/s.
Now that you know why you can’t use DDR3 RAM in a DDR4 slot, you need to learn which one to pick and what kind of workload they can handle.
DDR3 Or DDR4? | Can You Fit DDR3 RAM In DDR4 Slot?
Now that we have explained the difference between a DDR3 and a DDR4, you need to choose the best one. However, to select a RAM, you must be aware of your workload and which hardware can get the job done for you, keeping your PC building price within your budget.
You must be thinking the stats make it clear DDR4 is the clear winner. However, it’s not that easy to determine who the winner is. DDR4 will win each time you pit it against DDR3, but we are looking to build a PC specific to your work needs, and DDR3 might be slower but can still be a perfect fit in certain scenarios.
How To Choose Between DDR3 And DDR4? | Everything You Need To Know
If you are a working professional and your PC requirements revolve around PPT making, Writing word documents, and streaming online content, then a DDR3 RAM can get the work done. You can go with DDR4; however, it will be overkill. Not only that, DDR3 is cheaper and will not hurt your wallet that much.
Now, if you are someone whose PC requirements revolve around video editing, 3D model construction, Playing FPS heavy games, and streaming, then you are going to need to use every ounce of performance your PC can deliver. These tasks are heavy and consume tons of flash storage. In order to perform them flawlessly, you will have to go for DDR4 RAM. DDR4 not only provides you with much better bandwidth, but it has a very low latency to go along with it. If you perform these tasks, you will need a lot of DDR4 storage; we recommend at least 16Gbs of RAM for these tasks and 32Gbs to get the best possible performance. Make sure to pair it with a good processor because the RAM alone can’t handle such a workload.
That’s all the information you need regarding these two RAMs. This information will help you choose the best fit for your ideal build.
Closure | Know How To Pick A RAM For Your Build
We have described the difference between the two RAMs in detail, making it evident that you can’t use DDR3 RAM in DDR4 slot. As you know by now, they are both distinct from each other and are designed for a different kind of workload.
We have included everything you should consider before picking a RAM for yourself. Make sure you are aware of your PC requirements before you go shopping. Research the prices beforehand that will help you get the best deal.
If this article was helpful and we were of any help to you, make sure you share this article with your friends. If you have any other queries or want to add something that we might have missed, please let us know below.
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