Solved Can a DDR3 MotherBoard Run DDR2 Memory

[RitualJman]

Hey Guy's,

Question my friend asked me today and I was unsure of. He would like to know if he bought a mother board that use's DDR3 memory can he use his current DDR2 memory Dim's. I was unsure of this because I have heard mixed storys about this.

Thanks
RitualJman

 

[stormy13]

Nope, they're notched differently,

 

[badger906]

ram is so cheap these days its not worth recycling lol.

 

[RitualJman]

Okay Another Question, If your mother board takes Dual Channel DDR3, can you run Quad Channel DDR3 Memory in it?

RitualJman

 

[stormy13]

First there is no such thing as dual or quad channel ram. Second it is the memory controller and not the motherboard that determines whether the ram runs in dual or quad (or even triple) channel.

So to answer ytour question dual or quad is determined by the memory controller that is integrated into the CPU in most modern (more like all now) CPU's. Unless it is the new socket 2011 Intel i7 CPU's, then it will be dual channel unless it is one of the socket 1366 i7's that can run either dual or triple channel; all others are dual channel.

 

[RitualJman]

First there is no such thing as dual or quad channel ram. Second it is the memory controller and not the motherboard that determines whether the ram runs in dual or quad (or even triple) channel.

So to answer ytour question dual or quad is determined by the memory controller that is integrated into the CPU in most modern (more like all now) CPU's. Unless it is the new socket 2011 Intel i7 CPU's, then it will be dual channel unless it is one of the socket 1366 i7's that can run either dual or triple channel; all others are dual channel.

The Cpu socket he is looking at is AM3

 

[stormy13]

Dual channel only. The fun thing about AM3 CPUs is that they support both DDR3 and DDR2, just depends on whether you put them on an AM2+ board (DDR2) or an AM3 board (DDR3).

 

[RitualJman]

The ram he is looking at says its a Quad channel but as said before it's depnding on the memory controller. So if he picks up the "quad chennel memory" it will not run in this board he has selected?

RitualJman

 

[stormy13]

Unless the ram manufacturers have come up with some kind of magic, DDR3 is DDR3 regardless of how it is packaged; dual/triple/quad channel-wise, not speed-wise.

You drop a "quad" channel kit into a motherboard/CPU that only supports dual channel and it will just run in dual channel mode. You take something like this,

Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model BLE4G3D2001CE1TX0

and drop 4 of therm in the appropriate board and they will run in dual/quad (3 or 6 for triple channel) channel despite not being branded as such.

The one good thing about it now over when dual channel first came out is that for the most part the "kits" are generally cheaper than buying individual sticks.

 

[RitualJman]

Okay that ram will work. Thanks to every one that was a big help.

RitualJman

 

[badger906]

Oddly though quad channel memory is more expensive than ram sold as dual channel lol

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

 

[alphanumeric]

The RAM being advertised as Quad channel just means the 4 modules are a matched set with near exact same timings. They "should" work in Quad channel mode if the motherboard supports it. If you bought four separate individual RAM modules, even the the same make and model, there could be enough difference in performance that Dual, Triple, or Quad channel wouldn't work. They would still work just not in Dual channel mode. You pay more because they took the time to test each one and match them up in sets.

 

[stormy13]

You pay more because they took the time to test each one and match them up in sets.

You honestly believe that? If the memory manufacturers actually did that you wouldn't see so many reports of the kits coming with one or more defective sticks.

 

[alphanumeric]

IMHO if you buy quality RAM from a reputable manufacturer you should get a matched set. If you don't know what you are doing and are not careful installing it, it could get damaged. When I say "you" I'm speaking in general terms, not at you specifically. I personally haven't had any problems with any of the RAM I have bought and installed, matched set or not. YMMV