Introduction
In this article, we are discussing the difference between DDR2 and DDR3. To understand which one is better for our usage, we need to understand the quality of both of them. DDR stands for double data rate type; therefore, DDR2 stands for Double Data Rate Type Two, and DDR3 stands For Double Data Rate Type Three. DDR RAM is a capable technology that can transfer on both edges, falling as well as rising, which is why it's called a double data transfer rate. Now, DDR2 and DDR3 are the different versions of the transfer rate system.
The key thing that we will be discussing is how the upgrade in the version has brought in new features like Memory Reset in the DDR3, which was not there in the DDR2. Also, the power consumption of the upgraded one that DDR3 is less, and it gives out faster results. What we mean is that it transfers data faster. The change has come with time; the computer sets before 2008 are likely to be fitted with DDR2, which performed efficiently but got heated easily, was more power-consuming, and had a slower data transfer speed compared to our new DDR3. But after the coming up of DDR3, all the computer sets after 2007 were mostly fitted with DDR3, which does not heat up often, and with twice the data transfer speed, it provides more speed while using fewer resources and less time.
All the different versions have different qualities like enhanced speed, storage efficiency, etc. Through this article, our goal is to understand the difference between two specific versions, DDR2 and DDR3.
DDR2 Vs DDR3
As we have already discussed, both versions do one job, which is data transfer, though when we talk about DDR2, it works to provide four knowledge data transfers per cycle. Compared to this, DDR3 usually does eight knowledge transfers, which is naturally more than DDR2. Apart from this, the speed of DDR2 provides a high speed for data transfer, which is about 400 to 800 Mbps. In contrast, DDR3 provides a higher data transfer rate which is about 800 to 1600 mbps. Considering the power consumption done by both, we find that DDR2 is known to consume more power than DDR3. However, when it comes to overall performance, DDR2 is a lot better than DDR3 and is usually preferred too. But For the new generation PCs and laptops, the updated DDR3 is mostly used.
Difference Between DDR2 and DDR3 in Tabular Form
| Parameters | DDR2 | DDR3 |
| Cost | DDR2 is usually cheaper than DDR3 as this is an older version | DDR3 is an updated version that is used in new-age PCs and Laptops; therefore, it is very expensive |
| Data Transfer Rate | DDR2 does four knowledge transfers in each cycle. | DDR3 provides eight knowledge transfers in each cycle. |
| Voltage supply needed | The voltage supply required is 1.8 volts | The supply voltage supply required is 1.5 volts. |
| Memory Reset | There usually is no reset option in DDR2 as this is an old version. | There is a feature of the reset option in DDR3 as this is a new Updated version. |
| Power usage | This is less power-efficient than DDR3 than DDR2. It has a High amount of Power efficiency. | This is more Power consuming RAM. DDR3 is more efficient for power consumption. |
| Heat Generation | This has a slower or, we can say a narrower bandwidth due to the slower clock speed or the ability to do data transfer cycle is slow. | DDR3 is an updated version which is used in new-age PCs and Laptops; therefore is very expensive |
| Bandwidth | This does not get heated as fast as the DDR2, so it does not require cooling technology as such. | This has a larger bandwidth or bandwidth is broader as the clock speed of this is more as it does more than 8 cycles compared to 4 of DDR2 in the same amount of time. |
| Latency | for DDR2 is usually between 3 and 9 | Latency for DDR3 RAM is between 9 and 10 cycles |
| LaunchingDifference Between DDR2 and DDR3 | It was launched in 2003 and was used in old computers or the computers of that age. | DDR3 RAM has been used in modern computers since it was launched in 2007. |
What is DDR2 RAM?
DDR2 RAM stands for Double Data Rate version 2, This provides four knowledge transfers in a cycle, it provides Thirty-Two Hundred MB/s. This DDR2 RAM is usually used in old computers as it was launched in 2003. DDR2 individually worked great, but when we compare it with the DDR3 RAM, which is being used in the new computers and is an upgraded version of DDR2, it works better than DDR2 in some aspects as the energy consumption of this is less and also it does twice as many knowledge transfers in a cycle, it also provides more memory Six Thousand Four Hundred MB/s.
The DDR2, though, falls behind DDR3 in certain aspects, but when compared to previous versions like DDR, it's way better. DDR2 is two times faster than DDR, and The signals of DDR2 get transmitted better than DDR. DDR2 also reaches higher data rates in comparison to DDR. Also, as observed with each update, the technology seems to be removed, but RAMs like DDR2 are still as popular as they were at the time of launch.
Though, as observed, the performance level of DDR2 is better than that of DDR3 despite all the upgrades made to it, though DDR3 is made faster, less energy consuming, etc., the performance level has not been improved.
What is DDR3?
DDR 3 stands for Double Date Rate Version 3. This provides Eight Knowledge transfers in a cycle which is higher than all the older versions available. This also has the benefit that it takes up less energy as it works with 1.5 volts just fine, whereas the older versions need more, and the knowledge cycle is just half in comparison. It has a few new features like memory reset, which was not available in the older versions. Even the clock speed of this is faster, and the beginning range is the same as the ending range of DDR 2, which is quite impressive. DDR3 RAM is very power efficient and consumes less power; also, it does not get overheated and does not need any extra feature to regulate the temperature, unlike DDR2. Naturally, this also has a broader bandwidth among all other features commonly used in new-age devices, unlike DDR2 RAM, which is only being used in the older versions. This may be faster and more efficient in comparison, but the price of this is also higher than all the other versions, including DDR3. But as it is being used for computer sets that were produced in recent years, it is more in demand so more expensive.
Though many people believe that DDR2 performs better than DDR3 this argument can not be concluded without adding the condition that DDR3 performs better than DDR2 using less power and less time in total it gives a better output using fewer resources, in comparison to DDR2.
Main Difference Between DDR2 And DDR3 inPoints
- Cost: The Cost of a product is always dependent on its demand and the relevance of the product in today’s time, also the other competitors, so naturally, when we compare DDR2 and DDR3, we can see that Ddr3 is more expensive because it is used in the modern devices whereas the DDR2 RAM is not being used in the Modern devices naturally the demand for DDR3 is more.
- Definition: DDR2 stands for Double data transfer rate version 2, and DDR3 stands for double data rate version 3. These work for data transfer, though the basic difference between the two that has been discussed earlier is that DDR3 is an upgraded version, so DDR2 lacks some of those features. Both are applicable to different computer sets like DDR2 for the conventional sets and DDR3 for the new computer sets.
- Launching: The date launch of DDR2 was in 2003, which is one of the reasons why it is not being used in modern-day Devices. Compared to this, DDR3 was launched in 2007 with new Upgrades and is naturally more suitable for present-day technology. The computer sets built today are molded in a way that they function better with DDR3 RAM in comparison to DDR2 RAM.
- Speed: The speed of DDR3 is more than that of DDR2. The speed of DDR2 RAM is slow in comparison as the DDR3 is an upgraded version, and the issues with DDR2 are all resolved.
- Performance: In terms of Performance, the DDR2 RAM is the winner. The DDR2 RAM has proved to give a better output compared to DDR3 RAM, though the DDR3 RAM is faster, energy-saving, etc. But the performance level of DDR2 is unmatched by DDR3.
- Usage: As we have discussed prior. DDR3 is widely used in modern-day computers compared to DDR2, which was used in the older systems and is not in as much use as before.
- Per Module Storage Capacity: The per module storage capacity is more of the DDR3. It has more storage given to each module as compared to DDR2, which has a lower value of storage.
- Memory Reset Feature: The feature that allows for a sort of reboot and improves speed after continuous usage was not present in DDR2 but is now available in DDR3.
- Power consumption: The consumption of Power by DDR2 is more than that of DDR3; DDR3 consumes about 1.5V of Power, whereas DDR2 RAM consumes 1.7V. This acts as a big factor in choosing a RAM as, in the long run, this will have an impact on the expenditure.
- Data Transfer Rate: The data transfer rate of DDR2 is slower than that of DDR3. The DDR2 provides four knowledge circles in one cycle, whereas compared to this, the DDR3 sends twice as many, meaning that it sends about eight knowledge circles in one cycle.
Conclusion
While comparing both DDR2 and DDR3, the main observations are that both are built during timelines, as DDR 3 is an upgraded version, it has more features than DDR 2. The main difference is that both have different data transfer speeds. As discussed, the speed of DDR3 is twice that of DDR2, and special features of DDR3, like memory reset, are unavailable in DDR2. Power consumption by DDR2 is more than DDR3. There is more heat generated by DDR2 and needs self-cooling technology, whereas DDR3 heats less than DDR2 and can be used for a longer period.
DDR2 is used in computer devices that were made before 2008, whereas DDR3 is used in computer devices after 2008. DDR3 is used in present-day computer sets, whereas DDR2 is used in conventional computer sites. Both these are equally important as DDR3 is an updated version of DDR2, and also, it is a popular opinion that DDR2 performs better, which gives buyers a choice between the two whether they want more features involving DDR3 or DDR2, which is famous for its performance. Though all the present-day computer sets have DDR3 installed in them, it gives a broader bandwidth, faster data transfer, less energy consumption, and has a lot more perks.
The most favorable choice for the present time is DDR3 or any upgraded version after the devices built today work better with RAMs like these and not with old version RAMs like DDR2. Though DDR2 RAM has brought a significant improvement from DDR RAM, which is unforgettable and impressive.
Both the RAMs are individually very important as both of these are being used in different computer sets built at different times, so naturally, the performances of the two RAMs also differ and can not be seen on the same pedestal with each other. People with older versions or with older computer sets may see the importance of DDR2 and choose it over DDR3, whereas for the new generation laptop and computer set users, it may not hold the same significance understanding that is very crucial, so while choosing a RAM, the year in which the computer set was build should also be kept in mind to get an efficient performance by using a suitable RAM.
References
- https://www.crucial.in/articles/about-memory/difference-among-ddr2-ddr3-ddr4-and-ddr5-memory
