From DDR to DDR5, let's discuss the development history of computer memory modules, the differences between each generation, as well as capacity selection and installation
From DDR to DDR5, let's discuss the development history of computer memory modules, the differences between each generation, as well as capacity selection and installation
In the past few months, tech enthusiasts who love "tinkering" have been feeling a bit down. No need for me to elaborate—the prices of RAM, hard drives, and certain CPU models have soared, with RAM being the hardest hit. Some models have reached three times their previous lowest price points.
A buddy came up and asked me a question: With memory prices rising like this, can I lower the tier? If I switch from DDR5 to DDR4 or even DDR3, won’t the price drop?
The answer is here, but it’s not a definite yes!
I didn’t flatly say no but instead gave a "not a definite yes," leaving a tiny loophole because, for an extremely small number of computer configurations, there’s a possibility to proceed.
For example, if you were planning to build a PC with an Intel Core i5-13400F CPU, an ASUS B760M-K-D5 motherboard, and DDR5 memory, you could downgrade to DDR4 by changing the motherboard as well. Just switch to an ASUS B660M-K-D4 motherboard and lower the memory to DDR4—simple enough
However, if you want to continue reducing it and use DDR3 memory, it won't work at all.
For most older configurations, this operation is completely impractical. Taking Intel Core's i-series CPUs as an example, the 1st to 4th generations only support DDR3 memory; The 6th to 11th generations only support DDR4 memory; Only the 12th to 14th generations support both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. That is to say, before the 12th generation, you had no choice and could not lower your algebra.
Of course, reducing frequency is feasible without reducing algebra. For example, the previous computer had an Intel Core i5-10400F CPU, an ASUS B460M-K motherboard, and DDR4-2666MHz of memory. If you want to reduce it to DDR4-2400MHz or even DDR4-2133MHz of memory, you can.
Next, let's take a look at the development history of computer memory modules and analyze the differences between each generation of memory:
SDRAM， Before DDR, many people may not have had much impression or even knew about it. It is almost impossible to find it on the market now, so there is no further explanation here.
DDR， Also known as DDR1, it was released in 2000 with a working voltage of 2.5-2.6V, a physical interface of 184 pins, a frequency range of 200-400MHz, a bandwidth of 3.2-6.4GB/s, and a maximum single capacity of 1GB. Compared to SDRAM, DDR1 is revolutionary, but by today's standards, it has high power consumption and limited performance.
DDR2， Released in 2003, with a working voltage of 1.8V, a physical interface of 240 pins, a frequency range of 400-1066MHz, a bandwidth of 6.4-12.8GB/s, and a maximum capacity of 4GB per line.
DDR3， Released in 2007, with a working voltage of 1.5V/1.35V, a physical interface of 240 pins, a frequency range of 800-2133MHz, a bandwidth of 12.8-31.4GB/s, and a maximum capacity of 8GB per line.
DDR4， Released in 2014, with a working voltage of 1.2V, a physical interface of 288 pins, a frequency range of 1600-3200MHz, a bandwidth of 25.6-51.2GB/s, and a maximum capacity of 32GB per line.
DDR5， Released in 2020, with a working voltage of 1.1V, a physical interface of 288 pins, a frequency range of 4800-8400MHz, a bandwidth of 51.2-102.4GB/s, and a maximum capacity of 128GB per line.
I have compiled a table, through which we can clearly see that the operating voltage of the memory is getting lower and lower, that is, the power consumption and heat generation are getting smaller and smaller. The frequency is getting higher, the bandwidth is getting larger, and the single capacity is getting larger, which means the performance is getting stronger.
