If your old system is rusty and showing its age, then it is high time to upgrade to a to an AM4 socket used by the Ryzen CPU. You might be thinking about the different parts that can be reused for your brand new system. But, you cannot use the DDR3 RAM in the new system because an AM4 platform exclusively uses DDR4 memory.
Even the best DDR3 RAM is old tech because AMD’s AM4 (Ryzen) was designed after the DDR4 emerged as a new norm. So why would you build something new that works on old tech? It is always best to sell your DDR3 chips and get a new DDR4 for a decent price as they are much rarer than the DDR4.
Memory compatibility for AM4
The AM4 system exclusively supports the DDR4 RAM for its different motherboards and CPUs. The DDDR4 offers higher bandwidth, faster capacities, lower latency, higher capacities, enhanced power, and more efficiency as compared to the DDR3.
You cannot use the DDR3 RAM as AM4 doesn’t support backward compatibility to this RAM. The DDR3, on the other hand, uses a discrete pin layout, higher voltages and it is less efficient than DDR4 for which it has been asserted as outmoded from the mainstream.
Which is the recommended memory type for AM4?
Ryzen APUs and CPUs benefit from faster memory because then only they offer a decent performance increase. The DDR4 RAM is best for AM4 because it is faster and inexpensive than its usual price per 2GB. Unless you are working on an extremely confined budget constraints, it is absolutely unessential to purchase less memory than the 16GB of the DDR4 RAM with the prevailing prices. The 32GB RAM can also work for you, but it isn’t essential unless you don’t do any intricate video editing, CAD, rendering, or any diverse memory-intensive functions.
For the Ryzen 2000 and 1000 series CPUs, as well as 3x00G and 2x00G series APUs, the 3200 MHz or 3000MHz CL 16 RAM typically works best for productive and optimal performance. The lower CL memory kits on the other side don’t offer any justifiable increase in performance despite their hefty price. On the other hand, the Ryzen 5000 and 3000 series CPUs, the 3600 MHz CL 16 RAM, and the Ryzen’s series of 4000 APUs can be a real deal for your system. However, if you can’t pay for a premium faster memory, then you can always opt for a 3200 MHz CL16.
Also, note that faster kits do exists, but the ratio of price-to-performance ratio in these kits often suffers. The Double Data rate fourth generation or the DDR4 is a memory standard designed with a faster, better, and more reliable replacement of the DDR3. It builds on the efficiencies of DDR3 and surpasses them for better performance and results. The sole problem is the DDR4 RAM isn’t backward compatible with the DDR3 motherboards and vice versa as the notch is moved to prevent accidental insertion of the wrong memory type. To do so, instead of the 240 pins, each module is equipped with 288 pins.
The bottom line
Using the Best DDR3 RAM is theoretically possible but a bit problematic. It is silly because the DDR4 is much more efficient and smooth. Always invest in DDR4 RAM because their prices won’t burn the hole in your pocket while you are upgrading your system from an outdated platform.
Besides, you can also avail the extra perk of greater performance, larger capacities, faster speeds, and more when you are upgrading your system to the newer memory standard. Switch to the best while upgrading and you can truly get a bang for the buck during your update.