2/16/2021 Key difference between DDR4 and DDR3 RAM

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Figure 1. The pin count and key notch location for each DDR generation are different.

How does DDR4 differ from other DDR generations?

The following table compares the different DDR generations.

DDR Evolution

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2/16/2021 Key difference between DDR4 and DDR3 RAM

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Table 1. Comparison of different DDR generations

What are the advantages of DDR4 over DDR3?

Lower power

DDR4 modules are more energy-efficient, operating only at 1.2V compared with DDR3’s 1.5V or 1.35V. The reduced power consumption gives
substantial power savings and allows operation at higher speeds without higher power and cooling requirements.

Higher module density

DIMM densities start at 2 GB, reaching up to 128 GB – a big leap from DDR3’s 512 MB to 32 GB capacities.

Faster data transfer speed 

ATP's latest DDR4 modules for embedded and industrial applications deliver high-speed data transfers up to 3200 MT/s. DDR4-3200, the
latest industrial DDR4 offering from ATP, transfers data about 70% faster than DDR3-1866, one of the fastest DDR3 versions available, for a big
boost in theoretical peak performance.

Item DDR3-1866 DDR4-3200

I/O bus clock 933 MHz 1600 MHz

Data rate 1866 MT/s 3200 MT/s

Peak transfer rate 14928 MB/s 25600 MB/s

Table 2. DDR3-1866 vs. DDR4-3200

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2/16/2021 Key difference between DDR4 and DDR3 RAM

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Figure 2. Performance comparison: DDR3-1866 vs. DDR4-3200.

Do the latest Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors support DDR4 modules from ATP?

Yes. Each of the latest Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with Intel® C620 Series Chipsets (formerly code-named Skylake-SP and Lewisburg)
provides native support for six memory channels that can operate at the same speed even at full load. Each memory channel supports two
DIMMs, which means each processor can support up to 12 DIMMs. Having two additional memory channels compared with the previous quad-
channel platform delivers a significant increase in speed and performance. Aside from Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, DDR4-2666 is also
built for 8th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors.

Which applications and industries will benefit most from DDR4-3200/2933/2666/2400?

The increased interface speed amplifies theoretical peak performance for the most critical computing applications in industries such as
telecommunication infrastructures, networking storage systems, network-attached storage (NAS) servers, micro/cloud servers, and embedded
systems like industrial PCs.

What DDR4 DIMM form factors are available from ATP Electronics?

  Form Factor

Mini-UDIMM
Category LRDIMM RDIMM UDIMM UDIMM ECC SO-RDIMM SO-DIMM SO-DIMM ECC Mini-RDIMM Mini-UDIMM
ECC

3200 3200

2933 2933
2400 2400
Data Rate Speed (MT/s) 2666 2666
2133 2133
2400 2400

2133 2133

Low profile VLP: 0.74" height

PCB Height
VLP option: VLP option: VLP option:
  ULP option: below 0.74” height        
0.74" height 0.74" height 0.74" height

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2/16/2021 Key difference between DDR4 and DDR3 RAM

  Form Factor

4 GB

2 GB 2 GB
8 GB 4 GB 4 GB
4 GB 4 GB
32 GB
16 GB 8 GB 8 GB
8 GB 8 GB
Density 64 GB
32 GB 16 GB 16 GB
16 GB 16 GB
128 GB
64 GB 32 GB 32 GB
32 GB 32 GB

128 GB

Voltage 1.2V
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Wide Temp:  -40-95°C

Working Temperature
Commercial Grade: 0-85°C

Golden Finger 30µ

Table 3. ATP DDR4 product family

How will I know if my system supports DDR4? Can I install a DDR4 DIMM on a DDR3 slot?

Every DDR generation is different from the others. DDR4 is not backward-compatible with DDR3 so a DDR4 DIMM will not fit on a DDR3 DIMM
slot. Not only is the key notch of each DDR generation different (please refer to Figure 1 above), but the DDR4 pin size and arrangement is
different from DDR3. Notice that towards the middle of the DDR4 module, some pins are longer, giving it a slightly curved "V" shape. Refer to
your motherboard documentation to make sure that it has the correct DDR4 slot.

Figure 3. A standard DDR4 ECC DIMM module from ATP. Pins in the middle are longer, giving the module a slightly curved "V" shape.

How can I choose which DIMM type to use on my system?

Different DIMM types serve several purposes. DIMMs may or may not have error correcting code (ECC/non-ECC). They could be unbuffered or
fully buffered (UDIMM/FB-DIMM), registered (RDIMM), or load-reduced (LR-DIMM). Different systems platforms can accommodate different
memory types, so make sure to check which DIMMs are supported on your motherboard. For a quick look at common memory types, read
"Understanding RAM and DRAM Computer Memory Types" on the ATP Blog.

Is it possible to combine DIMMs with different data rates on the same system?

To get the best memory performance, it is recommended that you install identical DIMMs on the same system. When mixing DIMMs of different
operating speeds, the motherboard will underclock the faster one so it will only run at the speed of the slowest DIMM, unless you overclock the
slow DIMMs. DIMM population guidelines may vary depending on the platform you are using. Refer to the server motherboard documentation
for detailed instructions.

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