DDR3 compatibility question

[heffer]

I'm planning to buy a motherboard that supports DDR3 memory so I'll be future proof. But I don't want to spend the money on the actual modules yet because they're still too expensive. I'm wondering if DDR3 motherboards also support DDR2 RAM. I've heard that DDR2 and DDR3 memory modules are shaped differently, therefore a motherboard can only support one or the other but I just want to double check. Thanks

 

[veg1992]

They are the same pins required, however most DDR2 board that support DDR3 are quite buggy.

DDR3 won't be required until Nehalem anyways, so its really pointless right now.. but there was this outdated P35 board that supported DDR2/DDR3 if you are really interested in that.. I'm looking for it now

EDIT:
Newegg.com - MSI P35 Platinum Combo LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

 

[baron5]

ddr3 isnt actually much better then ddr2, untill after 1600mhz, which really is just speeds thats not really needed. your paying alot more for sumthin that wont making your computer much better at all.

 

[wafflehammer]

if you wanna invest into future proof stuff i'd wait until Nehalem comes out because it will require DDR3 and most likely cause the price to come down somewhat

 

[dario03]

IIRC you will need a different motherboard to run Nehalem since its a different socket. So I wouldn't bother with any current ddr3 boards since it won't work with the newer chips.

 

[kobe24]

yeah ddr3 is really just a waste right now, and as vernong said ddr3/ddr2 boards are buggy.