It is true that DDR and DDR2 RAM are already depleted, and in fact DDR memory has long since disappeared. DDR3 RAM is already disconnected but there are still many computers to use, while DDR4 has already been introduced in the market since its launch in 2014 and, at present, all platforms are already using it.
But let's look at what difference we find between DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 RAM to learn how to distinguish these types of modules.
Differences in technology
It means DDR Double data rate, and basically it means they can do it two writing and two reading activities for each clock cycle. This is what all generations have in common, but logically, each new generation uses changes and improvements that make them very different from technology.
We can see it in the following infographic created by the Crucial builder.
- DDR RAM: introduced in 2000, not implemented until about 2002. It worked at 2,5V and 2.6V and averaged 128 Mb (so there were no modules with more than 1 GB of 266 MT / s speed (100-200 MHz).
- DDR2 RAM: launched around 2004, operating at 1.8 volts, 28% less than DDR. Its maximum size doubled to 256 Mb (2 GB per module). Logically, the maximum speed also increased, to 533 MHz.
- DDR3 RAM: This launch took place in 2007, and was a change because XMP profiles were used here. For starters, memory modules run at 1.5V and 1.65V, at a speed of 1066 MHz but that was much faster, with the density of up to 8 GB per module.
- DDR4 RAM: This launch was made popular and did not come until 2014, but today it is a very broad place. The voltage is reduced to 1.05 and 1.2V, although most modules operate at 1.35V. The speed increased dramatically and each time they released the industry's fastest memories, but their base started at 2133 MHz. Currently there are 32 GB modules, but this is also slowly increasing.
Physical differences
Although these four types of memory have the DIMM format and, visually, they can be very similar (in fact they all match 133.35 mm long), there are some basic physical differences that will never connect a DDR RAM module to a DDR2, DDR3 or DDR4 module, the same as it does to other people.
And that all modules have dying at the contact point that will prevent them from connecting to the basics of another generation (and be careful because if you are too powerful you can break a socket or RAM module).
In addition, the DDR4 RAM modules have a connection point it sinks to the center, it is completely flat, although not necessary because the design would not allow us to connect the DDR4 module to another generation socket. Here you can see it with physical modules.
Finally, it should be noted that with each generation the number of contact pins has changed as follows:
- DDR: 184 pins (DIMM), 200 pins (SO-DIMM) and 172 pins (micro DIMM).
- DDR2: 240 pins (DIMM), 200 pins (SO-DIMM) and 214 pins (Micro DIMM).
- DDR3: 240 pins (DIMM), 204 pins (SO-DIMM) and 214 pins (Micro DIMM).
- DDR4: 288 pins (DIMM), 256 pins (SO-DIMM). No more little DDRM DDR4.
