DDR Memory´s

There are several types of DDR (Double Data Rate) memory, and each new generation brings significant improvements in speed, energy efficiency, and capacity over the previous one.

Here is a summary of all the generations that have existed and are currently on the market:

1. DDR (DDR1) - First Generation

Launched: circa 2000

Main Features:

It was the first to transfer data twice per clock cycle.

Operating Voltage: 2.5 V (higher, less efficient).

Modules have 184 pins.

Status: Completely obsolete. It is not used in any modern hardware.

2. DDR2 - Second Generation

Launched: circa 2003

Main Features:

Doubled the bus speed compared to DDR, offering greater bandwidth.

Lower Voltage: 1.8 V (more efficient).

Modules have 240 pins, but the notch is in a different position than DDR.

Status: Virtually obsolete. Very difficult to find, only in very old computers.

3. DDR3 - Third Generation

Launched: circa 2007

Main features:

Higher speeds and greater efficiency.

Even lower voltage: 1.5 V (and 1.35 V for the low-power DDR3L variant).

Modules also have 240 pins, but the notch is in a different position than DDR2, making them incompatible.

Status: Discontinued. It was very common in PCs from 2010 to 2015. It can still be found in many computers in use, but is no longer used in newer machines.

4. DDR4 - Fourth Generation

Launched: 2014

Main Features:

Greater speed and energy efficiency.

Operating voltage: 1.2V.

Modules have 288 pins, and the notch is in a different position than in previous generations.

Higher density, allowing for modules with larger capacities (16GB, 32GB per stick are common).

Status: Dominant in the previous market. It was the standard for most PCs from 2015 until approximately 2021/2022. It is still a very viable and present option in the market.

5. DDR5 - Fifth Generation

Launched: 2020

Main Features:

Significant leap in speed and bandwidth.

Even lower operating voltage: 1.1V.

Revolutionary architecture: Includes two 32-bit subchannels per module, improving efficiency.

It features a PMC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) on the module itself, rather than on the motherboard, allowing for more refined power control.

The modules also have 288 pins, but the notch is in a slightly different position than DDR4, making them incompatible.

Status: The new market standard. Present in all modern Intel (12th generation and later) and AMD (Ryzen 7000 and later) processors. Offers the best current performance.

Compatibility Summary

It is extremely important to understand that DDR generations are not compatible with each other. Each generation has:

A different number of pins.

A notch in a different position.

Different memory controllers on the CPU and motherboard.

You cannot put a DDR4 module in a DDR3 or DDR5 socket. They simply do not physically fit.