Memory is essential for computers to work.
In 2007, the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, which develops standards for computer memory, released the specifications of DDR3 memory, a faster memory for laptops and PCs. This new memory type succeeded in increasing speed and lower the voltages, making DDR3 memory the fastest memory around at that point. DDR3 is different from the older memory types on terms of capacity, technology and physical shape.
Dimensions
The DDR3 memory modules maintain the physical dimensions of previous DDR modules. However, the notch was moved to prevent DDR3 memory modules being installed in incompatible older DDR slots.
Capacity
The capacity of DDR3 modules varies from 512 megabytes to 8 gigabytes. However, due to the increased prefetch, lower-capacity modules might not be as effective as higher-capacity modules. The prefetch is the path the information uses to enter and exit the memory, and a faster prefetch means faster data access and better overall performance. DDR3 uses 8-bit prefetch, twice as fast compared to DDR2's 4-bit prefetch and four times faster than the 2-bit prefetch found on DDR1 memory modules.
Speed
The 4-bit prefetch used in DDR2 memory modules is doubled in the DDR3 memory and even though the actual clock speed of the memory is still 200 megahertz, the double data rate technology makes the DDR3 modules rated as DDR3 800 to DDR3 1600. The 8-bit prefetch leads to an increased latency, but the clock speeds compensate for that, making the DDR3 memory as fast as DDR2, despite the higher latency. What makes the DDR3 faster is the bandwidth. DDR3 1600 can achieve up to 25.6 GB/s if used in dual-channel mode, which is twice as fast as its predecessor, the DDR2 800.
Voltage
Standard DDR3 memory modules operate at 1.5 volts, but the operating voltage can be modified to make the memory run faster. This technique is used specially by overclockers who want to get the most out of every piece of hardware.
Tags: DDR3 memory, memory modules, DDR3 memory modules, memory faster, 4-bit prefetch, 8-bit prefetch, DDR3 1600