Are DDR3 and DDR4 laptop memory (RAM) compatible? That’s a common question when it comes to memory upgrades. For instance, you bought a new laptop with DDR4 RAM and want to add more memory to it by inserting a DDR3 RAM module from your older laptop. You wonder if that’s possible. Unfortunately, that can’t be done. DDR3 and DDR4 laptop memory are not compatible / interchangeable.
For nyxee's question, DDR3L is different from DDR3 and DDR4 as it can work on a voltage range. The DDR3L RAM consumes lesser voltage compared to the DDR3. DDR3L is a dual voltage capable memory SoDIMM, which supports operation at both 1.5V and 1.35V.DDR3 works on 1.5v only while DDR4 consumes 1.2v only.DDR3 RAM uses a 240-pin connector, while DDR4 RAM uses a 288-pin connector.
First of all, a DDR3 laptop RAM module can’t physically fit into a DDR4 laptop RAM slot and vice versa. Notches on the connectors of memory sticks are on different places. The same applies to corresponding bumps in the RAM slots on notebook’s motherboards. Also, the number of pins doesn’t match. A DDR3 laptop memory module has 204 pins, whereas DDR4 has 260. Finally, DDR3 memory is a bit shorter than DDR4 – 2.66 versus 2.74 inches.
So, a DDR3 memory module won’t fit in a DDR4 slot…
And a DDR4 stick is incompatible with a DDR3 slot…
Besides the physical differences, DDR3 and DDR4 RAM differ in voltages. DDR3 uses a voltage of 1.5V (or 1.35V for DDR3L variant). DDR4 uses 1.2V. It is more power efficient and generally faster, but doesn’t noticeably improve overall performance nor battery life of notebooks.
Note: If you see “SODIMM” in specs of both DDR3 and DDR4 laptop memory, that doesn’t mean they are compatible. SODIMM only means they are small memory modules commonly used in laptops and some small form factor PCs, as opposed to physically much bigger DIMM memory used in traditional desktop computers. As a side note, DDR3 and DDR4 DIMMs aren’t compatible neither.
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A common misconception about RAM is that you can put any RAM into any slot. You can do that, but it won't work, or it will work ineffectively. If you have four RAM slots, always buy matched pairs of RAM (two sticks from the same company, same speed, and same capacity) for the best results.
Additionally, can you use 3 RAM slots? To answer your question yes you can use three sticks of ram, however you will not get the maximum performance from it like you will from matched pairs in dual channel. For stability & performance, never mix sets and always configure in dual channel mode.
Just so, does RAM go in first slot?
The manual recommends putting ram in slot 1 & 3 first then 2 & 4. The evo will block the first slot a little. If you need to just use slot 2 &4. Should be fine.
How much does RAM cost?
1GB stick – around $10 or less (DDR or DDR2, the more recent DDR3 RAM typically comes in larger sizes) 2GB stick – around $10 -20 (DDR3) 4GB stick – around $20-30 (DDR3), or around $30-45 (DDR4) 8GB stick/kit – around $40-60 (DDR3), or around $60-90 (DDR4)