Difference between DDR3 and DDR4

Both DDR3 and DDR4 are the versions of Double Data Rate (DDR). Double Data Rate version 3 (DDR3): In DDR3, auto-refresh and self-refresh are performed to refresh its content. Generally self refresh is used for low power consumption and DDR3 consumes low power than DDR2. The clock speed of DDR3 vary from 800 MHz to 2133 MHz, where 2133 MHz is the its peak in some cases, generally clock speed is vary between 1600 to 1800 MHz. Double Data Rate version 4 (DDR4): In DDR4, only self-refresh is performed to refresh its content that’s why it consumes less power. The minimum clock speed of DDR4 is 2133 MHz and it has no defined maximum clock speed. Let’s see the Data rate and bandwidth diagram for DDR3 and DDR4: 

In above figure, we can see that the clock speed of DDR3 is vary between 1600 to 1800 MHz and its bandwidth is increased but less than DDR4. And DDR4’s clock speed starts from where DDR3 left but it has no defined maximum clock speed. Let’s see that the difference between them which are given below in tabular form:

S.NO	DDR3	DDR4
1.	DDR3 stands for Double Data Rate version 3.	Whereas DDR4 stands for Double Data Rate version 4.
2.	The cost of DDR3 is less than DDR4.	While it’s cost is higher or more than DDR3.
3.	In DDR3, auto-refresh and self-refresh are performed to refresh its content.	While in DDR4, only self-refresh is performed to refresh its content.
4.	DDR3 consumes less power than DDR2 but more than DDR4.	Whereas DDR4 consumes less power than DDR3.
5.	The speed of DDR3 is slightly slow in comparison of DDR4.	While it’s speed is faster than DDR3.
6.	DDR3 has a maximum of 16 GB memory.	While DDR4 has no maximum limit or capability.
7.	The clock speed of DDR3 vary from 800 MHz to 2133 MHz.	While the minimum clock speed of DDR4 is 2133 MHz and it has no defined maximum clock speed.
8.	DDR3 has lower latency than DDR4.	While DDR4 has slightly more latency than DDR3.
9.	DDR3 was used earlier in computer systems.	While DDR4 is used now-a-days in computer systems.
10.	Transfer Rate is 800MT/s – 1866MT/s in DDR3.	Transfer Rate is 1866MT/s – 3200MT/s in DDR4.
11.	Peak transfer rate is low in DDR3 as compare to DDR4.	Peak transfer rate is high in DDR4 as compare to DDR3.