Can I Install DDR3 RAM In DDR4 Slot?

DDR variations don’t help ahead or backward compatibility. So, you can not use a DDR3 reminiscence stick in a DDR4 slot and vice-versa. Not solely this, you can not combine RAM with totally different DDR variations on any motherboard.

DDR3 and DDR4 reminiscence have totally different numbers of pins and run on speeds which can be poles aside. This additionally means the RAM operates on totally different voltages. To stop customers from connecting the flawed stick and slot, the keying/notch is in a distinct location.

However, there are some motherboards with DIMM slots that help totally different DDR variations. Here too, you’ll be able to solely join a DDR RAM sort with its designated DDR slot.

Physically Not Possible

The notch on the DDR3 stick is barely on the correct aspect. While for DDR4 slot, it’s close to the middle. So, you can not bodily set up a DDR3 on a DDR4 slot. 

Besides keying/notch, there’s one other bodily attribute that restricts customers from putting in DDR3 RAM in a DDR4 slot.

As you’ll be able to see within the image, the DDR4 RAM has a slight bulge space across the heart. To accompany this, the DDR4 slot additionally has a small dent. This permits the DDR4 RAM and DDR4 slot to slot in completely. 

To stop customers from connecting totally different DDR generations, the notch/key and the small bulge exist. But, even when you one way or the other managed to attach the 2 with none injury, the RAM slots won’t work.

The inside structure of every DDR era is totally totally different. Newer DDR era comes with the most recent expertise and knowledge switch mechanism. Older DDR slots should not designed to function with newer DDR reminiscence modules. 

In the identical manner, DDR3 and DDR4 reminiscence modules are fully totally different. DDR4 runs at the next pace of as much as 5333 MT/s and efficiency is significantly better. While DDR3 is proscribed to 3200 MT/s.

It additionally has a larger bandwidth and helps the next capability. DDR4 slots are designed to help these specs. 

Here are a few different the reason why communication is unimaginable between DDR4 slots and DDR3.

Mismatched Number of Pins

Both DDR3 and DDR4 talk to the CPU using the 64-bit vast bus. Even although it makes use of the identical reminiscence bus, the way it communicates with the CPU is totally totally different.

The two DDR varieties have totally different numbers of pins and so does the slot. DDR3 has a complete of 240 pins for DIMM and 204 for SODIMM. DDR4 has 288 for DIMM models and 260 for SODIMM. 

The pins on DDR3 RAM shouldn’t be suitable with motherboard’s DDR4 slot.

Furthermore, every of those pins has a delegated process. Some pins are to entry the handle bus and a few entry the information bus. The process of every connector pin is totally different relying on the RAM sort.

For a profitable communication, the pins on the RAM should connect with the pins on the slot. This shouldn’t be potential when the full pins are totally different on the RAM stick and the slot.

Voltage Incompatibility

Another essential level is the distinction in voltage. DDR3 operates on 1.35 and 1.5 V (1.35 for DDR3L and 1.5 for DDR3). DDR4, however, operates solely on 1.2V. 

The reminiscence slot on the motherboard can solely present a sure voltage. So, using DDR3 in a DDR4 slot means the board can’t even present sufficient voltage to the reminiscence stick.

This goes for all different DDR generations as effectively. You can’t count on it to run any older-generation RAM.

Even if one way or the other you have been in a position to insert DDR3 into DDR4, it might injury the motherboard. Or in some circumstances, it would injury your RAM. 

Can a Motherboard Run DDR3 and DDR4 Simultaneously?

Manufacturers used to provide motherboards with totally different generations of DDR slots. Here are a number of motherboards that would help two totally different DDR generations.

One factor to notice is that it is advisable use just one single sort of DDR RAM on this motherboard. 

Consider you have got a DDR3 and a DDR4 RAM stick, and a motherboard with a slot for each. You can’t boot the system with each of those modules put in. The system wants both one or the opposite to run, not each.

Processors, particularly Intel, include help for 2 DDR variations. Intel twelfth Generation processor helps each DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. But motherboards at this time don’t help a number of DDR variations. And there’s fairly motive for it.

First off, these older motherboards might solely use two sticks as a substitute of 4.

Secondly, manufacturing boards that help each DDR era means energy provide for 2 varieties of RAM. So, this may require a separate pin configuration.

Along with this, using 4 sticks of reminiscence as a substitute of two performs higher. So, these boards though they help totally different RAMs won’t have a lot of a efficiency profit. 

Memory Modules For DDR4 Motherboard

You can solely use a DDR4 reminiscence stick on a motherboard with a DDR4 slot. If you’re getting a brand new RAM, verify for writings that say DDR4 on the label. 

You can discover DDR4 RAM in two totally different kind elements. Both these modules may have DDR4 on the label. However, it could not slot in your system.

The label in your RAM ought to say DIMM or SODIMM. You must get DIMM DDR4 RAM if you’re a desktop person. For laptop computer customers, it is advisable get SODIMM. 

Furthermore, I additionally advocate you think about the utmost RAM frequency your system helps when selecting a reminiscence module.

Depending on the motherboard, processor used, and OS put in additionally, you will discover most RAM capability. So, be sure to set up RAM under this restrict.