DDR3 vs DDR4 Slot Differences: Technical Comparison

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DDR3 and DDR4 memory modules have significant physical and technical differences in their slot designs that prevent cross-compatibility.

The most noticeable difference is the physical notch position. DDR3 modules have the notch located slightly off-center, while DDR4 modules have the notch in a different position that prevents insertion into the wrong slot type.

DDR4 slots feature 288 pins compared to DDR3\“s 240 pins, with the pins being arranged in a different configuration. The pin layout and spacing are incompatible between the two generations.

Another key difference is the voltage requirement. DDR3 operates at 1.5V while DDR4 runs at a lower 1.2V, making them electrically incompatible even if physically forced into the wrong slot.

The curvature of the modules also differs, with DDR4 having a slightly curved edge to facilitate easier insertion and removal from the motherboard slots.