Is There a Difference between DDR and DDR2 RAM?

Question

My computer flat out needs RAM, and I have a 512MB DDR stick lying around, but I think my computer requires DDR2, is there a difference in memory type that will restrict me from using the DDR on my computer? I don't want to mess up my computer or anything :(

I have a Dimension C521 btw.

Answer 1

Hi there:

Here are the differences of DDR2 over DDR:

1) Double the data rate
2) Double the bus rate
3) Lower voltage (2.5v for DDR and 1.8v for DDR2)

and so much more.. Here's the full list:

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Articles/DDR_vs_DDR2/

And as for your Dell question, your model has specs as follows:

Up to 4GB* Dual-Channel DDR2** SDRAM (533MHz)

* - The total amount of usable memory available will be less than 4GB, depending on actual system configuration
** - Dual-Channel memory requires 2 each of the same capacity memory DIMMs

For more info on your model # check here:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_c521?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs#tn3

From what i read on that site, your model supports only DDR2 memory chips not DDR since as stated above, the voltages are different between the two chip types.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Yes, there is a difference between DDR and DDR2.

Your computer requires DDR2 and regular DDR will not work.

My suggestion would be to sell the DDR on ebay and then use that money to buy a stick of DDR2.

Answer 3

maximum pcs and notebooks use between the three maximum universal sorts of synchronous dynamic random get entry to memory (SDRAM) for the numerous equipment memory. unmarried documents fee (SDR) SDRAM is the older type of memory, generic in pcs earlier to 2002. Double documents fee (DDR) SDRAM hit the mainstream computer marketplace round 2002, and DDR2-depending structures hit the marketplace in mid-2004. DDR SDRAM is a immediately ahead evolution from SDR SDRAM. the large distinction between DDR SDRAM and SDR SDRAM is that DDR reads documents on both the growing to be and falling edges of the clock signal, so the DDR module can move documents two times as quickly as SDR SDRAM. at the same time as DDR has a constrained clock fee, the evolutionary transformations to DDR structure enable DDR2 to attain speeds previous of DDR, handing over bandwidth of five.3 GB in line with second and previous! because DDR2 is in a position to operate with faster bus speeds, your memory would not carry decrease back the performance of your processor. typically speaking, motherboards are equipped to help in effortless words one type of memory. you could't blend and tournament SDRAM, DDR, or DDR2 memory on an similar motherboard in any equipment. they gained't function and could no longer even slot interior an similar sockets.

Answer 4

yes there is a difference. your machine takes ddr 2

Answer 5

Hi There!
DDR2 is better then DDR.