Difference between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, you must know!

Are you still confused about the difference between DDR5 RAM and DDR4 RAM? If yes, then you must read this article to the end!

A computer or laptop device requires hardware that functions as a temporary storage area for programs or applications that are running at the same time.

This device is commonly known as RAM, which is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

If you are familiar with this hardware, you will definitely be familiar with the term DDR in RAM. DDR is a process where the computer bus transfers data instructions 2x in one clock cycle where the bus is located in RAM.

The interesting fact is that DDR has a code from 1.2 to 5 which indicates the generation type of RAM itself. Here are the differences between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM that you need to know!

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Transfer Speed

The most obvious basic difference between DDR5 RAM and DDR4 RAM is the transfer speed, DDR 5 RAM or the latest 5th generation definitely has a greater transfer speed than the previous generation.

DDR 5 RAM starts with a transfer speed of 4800MT/second while DDR 4 RAM has a maximum transfer speed of 3200MT/second. This means DDR 5 RAM can transfer data at up to 38.4 gigabytes per second (GB/s).

Meanwhile, DDR 4 RAM reaches a top speed of 25.6 GB/s. Overall, the DDR5 RAM speed can be 50% faster than the maximum data speed of DDR4 RAM.

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Memory Capacity

The next difference lies in the memory capacity, for DDR4 RAM the maximum memory capacity on one chip is 32 GB. Meanwhile, DDR5 RAM has a maximum memory capacity that is much larger than DDR4 RAM. The maximum memory capacity of DDR5 RAM reaches 128 GB on one chip.

Per module, DDR5 RAM can reach a capacity of 512GB. However, most processors and motherboards do not yet support up to 512GB capacity. Currently, the new DDR5 RAM memory is widely supported in 128GB capacity which can be divided into two (dual channel) up to four DIMM modules.

Compatibility

In terms of compatibility, DDR5 RAM, which is still relatively new, has low compatibility. When compared to DDR4 RAM which is compatible with processors whose generation is not too high, to use DDR5 RAM you need a minimum Intel Core processor with generation 12 or above. Or use the AMD RYZEN 7000 series processor which has a fantastic price.

Then to use DDR5 RAM you also need a motherboard that supports DDR5 memory operation.

If you are currently using DDR4 RAM and want to upgrade to DDR4 RAM, there are 2 parts or hardware that you may need to replace, namely the processor and motherboard. Therefore, DDR4 RAM has greater compatibility compared to DDR5 RAM.

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Voltage

From the difference in voltage, DDR5 RAM is considered to have a slightly lower voltage compared to DDR4 RAM in normal mode. DDR5 RAM in normal operation has a voltage of 1.1 Volts while DDR4 RAM has a voltage of 1.2 Volts.

Because DDR5 RAM has greater or faster performance compared to DDR4 RAM, the slightly lower normal mode voltage can make you more energy efficient but can experience greater or faster performance when using DDR5 RAM compared to DDR4 RAM.

On laptops with DDR5 RAM with a slightly lower voltage in normal mode it will also help save the battery so it doesn't run out quickly.

Apart from that, DDR5 RAM has an on-board PMIC or Power Management Integrate Circuits module which can help regulate the power distribution needed by each RAM component better.

RAM Shape Design

Each generation, RAM has a different design starting from the DRAM layout, Key Notch, PCB structure, etc. In DDR5 RAM the location of DRAM is different from DDR4 RAM and the number of DDR5 RAM bank structures has increased by 16 banks to 32 banks or twice that of DDR4 RAM.

The Key Notch on DDR5 RAM has now changed to a more central position compared to DDR4 RAM.

Changing the key notch layout is something that must be done with each RAM generation. This is done as an effort to avoid errors in installing RAM with DDR or incompatible generations on the motherboard.

DDR5 RAM is usually thicker than DDR4 RAM. This is due to changes in the PCB structure and the installation of denser memory chips.

And there is a chip that supports other features such as PMIC, RCD, Temperature Sensor as well as an additional thick heatsink to cool the high performance DDR5 RAM.

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That's the difference between DDR5 RAM and DDR4 RAM that you need to know, so what kind of DDR RAM do Vicigers prefer?

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