What are the differences among DDR/DDR 2/DDR 3/ DDR 4 Ram? What is the best choice among them?

Q. What are the differences among DDR/DDR 2/DDR 3/ DDR 4 Ram? What is the best choice among them?

While going to buy a laptop or a desktop we are given the choice of various configurations including various types of Ram and we often get confused, not having sufficient knowledge.

Well, in this article , I am going to compare DDR1 vs DDR2 vs DDR3 vs DDR4 and mention difference between DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 SDRAM memory types. I will also explain the differences between SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM types.


Each generation of memory is marked by speed and frequency increases and power consumption decreases. Because computer hardware is all connected and interdependent, this leads to speed increases in other components.

Introduction:

SDRAM stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. As the name suggests it has synchronous behaviour and as a result it synchronizes itself with CPU timing or clock signal. FOr example PC133 SDRAM refers to SDRAM running at the clock signal of 133 MHz. There are two types of SDRAM viz. SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM.

Difference between SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM :-

SDR SDRAM:-

It is the short form of Single Data Rate SDRAM. In this SDRAM type, same frequency is used for Input/Output operations, bus clock and internal clock. As mentioned above PC133 uses 133 MHz for all these purpose. SDR SDRAM can either read or write one at a time in single clock cycle.

DDR SDRAM:-

It is the short form of Double Data Rate SDRAM. It can transfer data on both the rising edge of the clock as well as falling edge of the clock i.e. doubles the transfer rate without even increasing the clock signal frequency. DDR SDRAM has 2 bit prefetch buffer size which is double of SDR SDRAM. There are various versions of DDR SDRAM viz. DDR1 (or simply DDR), DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 based on various features as explained below.

DDR1 SDRAM or DDR SDRAM :-

Following are the features of DDR1 SDRAM type:

• It transfers data on rising and falling edge of clock. Hence it has double data transfer rate compare to SDR SDRAM type.

• Clock speed: 133 to 200 MHz

• Prefetch buffer size: 2 bits

• Operating voltage: 2.5V

• Data transfer rate: 266 to 400 MT/s (MegaTransfers per SECond)

• Examples: DDR266, DDR400

DDR2 SDRAM :-

Following are the features of DDR2 SDRAM type:

• It operates external data bus two times faster compare to DDR1 SDRAM type or DDR SDRAM.

• Clock speed: 133 to 200 MHz

• Operating voltage: 1.8 V

• Prefetch buffer size: 4 bits

• Data transfer rate: 533 to 800 MT/s (MegaTransfers per SECond)

• Examples: DDR2 533, DDR2 800

DDR3 SDRAM :-

Following are the features of DDR3 SDRAM type:

• Its power consumption is less compare to previous version i.e. DDR2 which is about 40% less. This is due to use of lower operating voltage of 1.5V compare to DDR and DDR2 SDRAM types.

• Operating voltage: 1.8 V

• Prefetch buffer size: 8 bits

• Data transfer rate: 800 to 1600 MT/s (MegaTransfers per SECond)

• DDR3L-800 , DDR3L-1066 , DDR3L-1333 and DDR3L-1600

• Special functions used: ASR (i.e. Automatic Self Refresh) , SRT (Self Refresh Temperature).

DDR4 SDRAM :-

DDR4 memory is the latest generation of double data-rate random access memory. DDR4 replaces DDR3, which replaced DDR2, which replaced what is now called DDR.

Following are the features of DDR4 SDRAM type:

• It provides further lower operating voltage and faster transfer rate compare to other DDR types.

• Operating voltage: 1.2V

• Data transfer rate: 2133 to 3200 MT/s

• Example: DDR4-2400, Micro Technology Inc.

• It processes four data in a single clock cycle.

• Efficiency: better than DDR3.

• Special functions: DBI (i.e. Data Bus inversion), CRC, CA parity.

In a nutshell, it can be deduced that the latest DDR4 Ram is the fastest and most energy-efficient Memory which provides the smoothest performance till date .

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Subhajit Surai

Author & Editor

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