What is the difference between pc2 and pc3

DDR4 memory is the latest generation of memory for computing applications and offers many benefits over previous generations of memory including lower latencies, higher speeds, and more. One thing to keep in mind is that memory needs to be the same type - memory modules are not forward or backward compatible in terms of generation types so DDR3 will not work in DDR2 or DDR4.

Memory is designed to be backward compatible within its generation, so generally speaking, you can safely add faster memory to a computer that was designed to run slower memory. However, your system will operate at the speed of the slowest memory module installed.

Rather than give memory modules catchy names, the industry refers to modules by their specifications. But if you don't know a lot about memory, the numbers can be confusing.

Here's a short summary of the most popular types of memory and what the numbers refer to. For double-data-rate memory, the higher the number, the faster the memory and higher bandwidth. Is RAM latency and timing important? It acts as a middle ground between the small, super-fast cache in your CPU and the large, super-slow storage of your hard drive or solid-state drive SSD. Your system uses RAM to store working parts of the operating system temporarily and the data your applications are using actively.

RAM is not a form of permanent storage. Think of your computer as an office. The hard drive is the filing cabinet in the corner. The RAM is like an entire office workstation, while the CPU cache is like the actual working area where you actively work on a document.

The more RAM you have, the more things you can have quick access to at any one time. Just as having a bigger desk can hold more bits of paper on it without becoming messy and unwieldy as well as requiring more trips back to the filing cabinet to reorganize. Unlike an office desk, however, RAM cannot act as permanent storage.

The contents of your system RAM are lost as soon as you turn the power off. Losing power is like wiping your desk clean of every document. SDRAM is what this article discusses, too. For most desktops and laptops, RAM appears as a stick that you can insert into the motherboard. Unfortunately, there is a rising trend for super thin and light laptops to have the RAM soldered to the motherboard directly in the interest of saving space.

However, this sacrifices upgradability and repairability. It is highly unlikely you will encounter SRAM in general usage, so it is not something you should worry about. Though the two RAM form factors use the same technology and functionally work in exactly the same way, you cannot mix them.

When you are buying RAM, the first thing to figure out is its form factor. Nothing else matters if the stick won't fit! While all desktop RAM generations are the same physical size and shape, they aren't compatible. To stop any confusion, each RAM generation has a notch cut in the pins at different locations.

That means you cannot accidentally mix your RAM modules up or damage your motherboard, even if you buy the wrong type. DDR2 has been well and truly superseded, but you can still buy it in limited quantities to upgrade older machines. Otherwise, DDR2 is obsolete.

DDR3 was released way back in However, it runs a lower voltage and has higher timings more on RAM timings in a moment , so it isn't compatible. Since then, DDR4 use has steadily grown to the point where it now accounts for around 80 percent of all RAM sales worldwide. An initial period of high prices saw many users stick with the previous generation. DDR5 was set to hit consumer markets in Learn more. Ask Question. Asked 10 years ago.

Active 10 years ago. Viewed 7k times. Will I run into any issues regarding the chips? Improve this question. JadedEric JadedEric 1 1 silver badge 6 6 bronze badges. DDR2 PC3 ??? Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. No you probably can't. If your old board supports PC2, PC2 is all you'll be able to put in it. Improve this answer. Most probably - no, memory is freely to some extent exchangeable.