Nowadays, in this digital world, we all need computers for working, gaming, watching movies, and TV shows. To ensure your computer performs well, you must have the right RAM in your system.
The two different types of RAM are DDR3 and DDR3L RAM. The specifications of DDR3L make DDR3 different from DDR3L (a special type of DDR3). On the other hand, there is a special type of DDR3 known as DDR3L, which is the lower voltage standard of DDR3 and consumes less power.
Did you know that low voltage RAMs or DDR3L are used in mobile devices because they ensure long battery life and consume more energy?
Difference Between DDR3 And DDR3L
Here in this post, we have mentioned DDR3 and DDR3L and their major differences.
What Is DDR3?
DDR3, also known as Double Data Rate Type 3, is a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) launched in 2007 as a successor to DDR and DDR2. It has become very famous and is commonly used in almost all computers. Since it has a voltage of 1.5 V, it consumes less power. DDR3 allows you to store up to 8 GB of data.
Moreover, DDR3 RAM comes in different frequencies like 800, 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 MHz. This RAM device is mainly used for personal computers and has 240 pins totaling 133.35 mm. The RAM module used in laptops is known as SO-DIMM and is smaller than the ones used in computers. The DDR3 RAM module for laptops has 204 pins.
What Is DDR3L?
DDR3L is a type of DDR3 RAM, and the “L” stands for low-voltage standard. This RAM type uses only 1.35V voltage, which is 0.15V lower than the DDR3. One feature that makes DDR3L the most recommended one is its low-power consumption capabilities. Since it consumes less power, DDR3L offers better battery life. Moreover, less power consumption means fewer device heating problems. Did you know that DDR3L is mainly used for laptops and other small devices instead of computers?
DDR3L share features like memory density, frequencies, and protocols with DDR3. The main reason why DDR3L is mainly used for mobile phones is that they have SODIMM slots.
Difference Between DDR3 And DDR3L
- DDR3L is a special type of DDR3 where L stands for low voltage.
- DDR3 needs 1.5V to work, while DDR3L requires only 1.35V to work.
- DDR3L consumes less power when compared to DDR3.
- DDR3L generates less heat compared to DDR3.
- DDR3L is mainly recommended for smartphones, laptops, and other embedded devices, while DDR3 is used for personal computers and desktops.
- The market price for DDR3L is higher than DDR3.
- DDR3 has 240 pins, while the DDR3L consists of SO-DIMM-204
- The length of DDR3 is 133.35mm, while for DDR3L is SO-DIMM-67.5mm.
| Feature | DDR3 | DDR3L |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Double Data Rate Type 3 | Double Data Rate Type 3 Low Voltage Standard |
| Voltage Specification | 1.5 V | 1.35 V |
| Power Consumption | High | Less |
| Heat Generation | High | Less |
| Memory Density | Up to 8GB | Up to 8GB |
| Supported Frequencies | 800, 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 MHz | 800, 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 MHz |
| Number of Pins | 240; SO-DIMM – 204 | SO-DIMM – 204 |
| Length | 133.35mm; SO-DIMM – 67.6mm | SO-DIMM – 67.5mm |
| Price | Low | High |
| Usage | Personal computers, Laptops, Servers | Laptops, Mobile devices, Embedded systems |
Conclusion
The major difference between DDR3 and DDR3L is the voltage. The voltage for DDR3 is 1.5V, while the voltage for DDR3L is 1.35V. Moreover, the letter L in DDR3L stands for low voltage, consuming less power, and generating less heat. So, DDR3L is used mainly for mobile phones that require long battery life.
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