Previously, we explored how much RAM a current system needs to work comfortably, but we didn't dive into the types available. Depending on your platform, RAM can be easy to get or it can turn into a long quest that doesn't always end well. If you want more memory but aren't sure exactly what kind of RAM your PC needs, this article will help.
RAM Memory: Escaping the Confusion
Studying the history of RAM takes us back several decades. An excellent starting point is the magnetic core memory, which dominated the market for twenty years until the first DRAM modules appeared. However, today we'll focus on the present and the current needs of users regarding RAM.
For example, it's very likely you want to expand your computer's memory to optimize performance, but it's not enough to walk into a store (physical or online) and say 'I want RAM'. Before that, you need to get some technical details about your platform, and it's a good idea to identify the main types of RAM. Why? Because over the years and with the birth of new architectures, RAM has changed its format, size, density, voltage, and a long etcetera.
In other words, it's very easy to buy the wrong RAM for your computer. With this article, you'll be able to determine what kind of RAM your PC needs, which are the most relevant formats right now, and what's coming up.
The Most Important RAM Types
DDR3
DDR3 memory (Double Data Rate, 3rd generation) began its journey in 2007, succeeding the two previous technologies, DDR and DDR2. Each evolutionary step brings benefits like higher capacity and bandwidth, and DDR3 was no exception. The base frequency (read as 'clock rate' x 2) for a DDR3 module is 800 MHz (also known as DDR3-800 or PC3-6400), but in specialized configurations it can reach 2,133 MHz (DDR3-2133 or PC3-17000).
Today, DDR3 memory has given way to more advanced technologies, but hundreds of millions of computers remain compatible with DDR3, and it's still relatively easy to buy new modules for upgrading PCs. At the time of writing, 8 GB of DDR3 memory ranges between €35 and €40, while a 16 GB kit (in two 8 GB modules) can cost between €65 and €80.
DDR4
If you buy a new computer or try to assemble your own system, it will most likely use the memory known as DDR4. It's hard to believe, but its official debut was in 2014. Once again, the improvements focused on increased bandwidth, reduced voltage, and higher capacity for its modules. Talking about a standard frequency for DDR4 is a bit more complicated: We know its minimum is 1,600 MHz (DDR4-1600 / PC4-12800), and 2,133 MHz is a sort of general base, but manufacturers have managed to squeeze this technology to the max, with models that comfortably exceed 4,000 MHz.
Another notable aspect of DDR4 memory is that it has incorporated advanced aesthetic elements, more specifically, RGB lighting. That means the price range available is quite wide, starting with basic green modules without heat dissipation, up to premium memory with special frequencies and timings, plus RGB lights.
The Future: DDR5
With the confirmation of its specifications in mid-2020, the arrival of the new DDR5 memories is imminent. Both Intel and AMD will use DDR5 in their next platforms (LGA 1700 and AM5), and several manufacturers have announced extraordinary advances in frequencies. It is estimated that the starting point for DDR5 will be 4,800 MHz, but we've found reports of prototypes crossing the 10,000 MHz barrier.
128 GB per module, higher frequencies, reduced voltages, and two channels per DIMM set the pace for DDR5 memory. In the images we can also see modules with integrated voltage regulators for better efficiency and stability, although that factor could be limited to server memory, or become a premium feature of faster memory.
Conclusion: How Do I Confirm the RAM I Need?
Armed with this information, the rest is a matter of looking up the specifications of your motherboard or laptop manual. Their official pages are also useful, and they likely have more data. For example, many motherboard pages include documentation with 'certified modules' that are guaranteed to work depending on the processor you use.
If instead of buying a complete memory kit you want to expand the RAM already in your computer, we definitely recommend taking note of the installed module and finding another identical one, or as an alternative, a similar one. A heterodox memory configuration is supposed to work just the same, but through practice we know that matching modules in size and frequency helps reduce the possibility of conflicts. We hope this article has been of use. Good luck!
