frequency and latency (noob)

Finalize777 · May 15, 2013

What are good frequency and latency? Sometimes they dont even tell you what the frequency and latency are. Is the frequency in mhz? like 1333mhz? and the latency is in what?

circularpromise53 · May 15, 2013

well my ram is 1600, with a latency of 8-8-8-24, thats pretty good imo

Finalize777 · May 15, 2013

OK i never seen any numbers like 8-8-8-24 when looking to buy ram.

circularpromise53 · May 15, 2013

its latency lol

barto · May 15, 2013

Frequency really only matters when doing high performance applications (folding and benchmarks). Tom's did a review last year about memory frequency and the review basically pointed out there was only a 1 FPS difference from 1333 Mhz to 2133 Mhz. My point with memory is why not just get the highest rate frequency for the motherboard?

Latency (timings) is where it counts. The lower the timings, the faster the modules are.
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles//overclocking/AMD/memory/131/1

Finalize777 · May 15, 2013

Link me to ram for sale that shows those numbers.

circularpromise53 · May 15, 2013

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-3x2GB-Desktop-Memory-CMX6GX3M3A1600C9/dp/B002LZ1FPG

firo40 · May 15, 2013

That depends on the game or application. Some games prefer higher frequency then others. In starcraft 2 for instance having 1866mhz over 1333 has more then 1 fps differance.

barto · May 15, 2013

Finalize777 :

Really, the first number on timings (Cas timing) is the one that matters. The lower Cas timing, the faster the RAM is. So for example, looking at just 1600 Mhz RAM, you can see all the Cas timings per product.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006050%20600006127&IsNodeId=1&name=DDR3%201600%20%28PC3%2012800%29

jemm · May 15, 2013

Basically when looking for memory RAM the best to do is to get the highest frequency, with the lowest latency possible.

By the way my RAM is 1600MHz. with latencies 8 8 8 24.

barto · May 15, 2013

firo40 :

I'd be surprised to see huge improvements due to speed of RAM. I'm not saying it isn't impossible and maybe my 1 FPS was a little specific. But I doubt changing RAM speed will boast gains that will make a difference in gaming.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-latency-gaming,3409-9.html

skit75 · May 15, 2013

Frequency is measured Hertz or a.k.a. cycles per second... (Hz, KHz, MHz, GHz) Higher number means faster data rates (usually good)
Latency on RAM is measured typically in nano seconds I believe, (ns) Higher number(s) means slower response (usually bad)

Finalize777 · May 16, 2013

circularpromise53 :

Where does it show those numbers in this link? I see the 1600 but where is the other?

skit75 · May 16, 2013

in the last bullet marker, after Timing:

6GB 3 x 2GB PC3-12800 1600MHz 240-pin DDR3 Timing: 9-9-9-24 1.65v

Finalize777 · May 16, 2013

skit75 :

I see it. Thanks! So its 9, isnt that high? but this is still great ram huh?

skit75 · May 17, 2013

As Barto mentioned above....
It would be hard to see a real world difference between applications/games you might be using with 9-10-11+ CAS Latency vs. 8 CAS Latency. Benchmarks will show difference but as an end user, not much perception. I wouldn't say 9 is High...... just more than 8 by 1 whole nano-second(1 billionth of a second).

firo40 · May 18, 2013

Frequency over latency. Its shown higher frequency produces alot more memory bandwidth then changing latency

Finalize777 · May 18, 2013

Stop giving me answers please!! I cant take it anymore! I got my answer a long time ago! thanks tho!!!!

frequency and latency (noob)

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