DDR3(1866) vs. DDR3L(1600) Corsair Vengeance Pro

Javapiecez · Oct 4, 2015

Hi, My name is Vince.

I am a novice PC builder and seeking some help in a RAM or "Memory" related issue.

I am currently looking to max out my memory on my newest build.
I have chosen a specific ram set I WOULD like to use, but it is not a must have.

My issue is I see the label DDR3L, which I know means "Low Voltage"
Instead of 1.5V the ram is 1.35V

My question is what is the performance change, or will this affect the ram in use?
And should I stay away from the DDR3L variant?
Motherboard: MSI Gaming 970 MB

Speed is also not much of a concern to me, linus from linustechtips answered this in a video.
Stated that this is not a big noticeable difference.

DDR3 Version(1866)
Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3

DDR3L Version(1600)
Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3L

If the DDR3L makes a noticeable change, should I just buy two kits of the DDR3 version?
The DDR3 only comes in a dual kit on newegg at the moment as the 4 stick kit is only silver.
(Yes I am a color whore)

MarkW · Oct 4, 2015

There is DDR3 (1.5v to 1.65v), DDR3L (1.35v), DDR3LP (1.20v) and probably a few other oddball versions of DDR3 out there. Voltage does not tell you anything about how the memory performs.

Speed of memory is primarily determined by the speed number (1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 and so on) and the CL (CAS Latency) number. For 1600 memory CL 9 or lower is what I call normal to fast memory. There is also 1600 CL 10, 11, and 12, but those would be slightly slower than CL 9 or lower is. CL is the delay there is in cycles between receiving a command and processing it. In other words, a read or write command, and the time it starts to retrieve or store the data the CPU needs.

As the speed number goes up, generally the CL number climbs too. But they are not fully linked to each other.

So when I am looking for memory, I look at the speed, then the CL, and then the price. Something like this:

1) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 9 $75.00
2) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 11 $73.00
3) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 8 $77.00
4) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 7 $85.00

Now number 4 is the fastest kit, but it is also the most expensive. ANd definately not worth an extra $10.
Number 2 is the cheapest, but it is also the slowest, and probably slower enough that I would pay for for 2 less CL.
Number 1 is the speed I like to see for 1600 memory, but for $2 more, number 3 is slightly faster.

I would have a hard time deciding between number 1 or 3. $2 is not a lot of money, but if your budget is tight, there is nothing at all wrong with going with number 1. And knowing what I know about memory, I would probably go with number 1 anyways if that was the memory speed I was aiming at.

Javapiecez · Oct 4, 2015

MarkW :

There is DDR3 (1.5v to 1.65v), DDR3L (1.35v), DDR3LP (1.20v) and probably a few other oddball versions of DDR3 out there. Voltage does not tell you anything about how the memory performs.

Speed of memory is primarily determined by the speed number (1333, 1600, 1866, 2133 and so on) and the CL (CAS Latency) number. For 1600 memory CL 9 or lower is what I call normal to fast memory. There is also 1600 CL 10, 11, and 12, but those would be slightly slower than CL 9 or lower is. CL is the delay there is in cycles between receiving a command and processing it. In other words, a read or write command, and the time it starts to retrieve or store the data the CPU needs.

As the speed number goes up, generally the CL number climbs too. But they are not fully linked to each other.

So when I am looking for memory, I look at the speed, then the CL, and then the price. Something like this:

1) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 9 $75.00
2) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 11 $73.00
3) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 8 $77.00
4) 2x 4GB 1600 CL 7 $85.00

Now number 4 is the fastest kit, but it is also the most expensive. ANd definately not worth an extra $10.
Number 2 is the cheapest, but it is also the slowest, and probably slower enough that I would pay for for 2 less CL.
Number 1 is the speed I like to see for 1600 memory, but for $2 more, number 3 is slightly faster.

I would have a hard time deciding between number 1 or 3. $2 is not a lot of money, but if your budget is tight, there is nothing at all wrong with going with number 1. And knowing what I know about memory, I would probably go with number 1 anyways if that was the memory speed I was aiming at.

People state you should not use 2 seperate kits to go higher in ram amount
My max is 32GB, which of the below would YOU personally suggest or choose.

DDR3: 2x 16GB 2x8($198 USD)
Timing: 9-10-9-27
Speed: 1866
CAS: 9
Voltage: 1.5V

DDR3L: 32GB 4x8 ($199 USD)
Timing: 9-9-9-24
Speed: 1600
CAS: 9
Voltage: 1.35V

MarkW · Oct 4, 2015

Yes, those sets of 4 numbers, CL number is always the first of those.

I also agree it is best not to mix new and old memory together. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it does not. And sometimes, it works for awhile, and stops working. And as I learned long ago, screaming four letter words at computer memory almost never changes anything in the computer.

For most people, 16GB is more than enough. Most people get away with 8GB, but I decided a long time ago that it was far better to have more memory than you needed than it was to not have enough memory when you chose to do something that might need more.

Right now I have 16GB in my system. I do not expect that I will need more than that in the next 3 to 5 years, and by then I most likely will be looking for my first 1151 socket motherboard and CPU, and DDR4.

You should be able to find a 2x 8GB of 1600 CL 9 or lower for under $100.

I don't know where you live, but I pulled up this list from Amazon.com...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=memory+240+pin+1600+DDR3+CL+9+16GB&rh=n%3A541966%2Ck%3Amemory+240+pin+1600+DDR3+CL+9+16GB

1866 is not worth paying double for.

Javapiecez · Oct 4, 2015

MarkW :

Yes, those sets of 4 numbers, CL number is always the first of those.

I also agree it is best not to mix new and old memory together. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it does not. And sometimes, it works for awhile, and stops working. And as I learned long ago, screaming four letter words at computer memory almost never changes anything in the computer.

For most people, 16GB is more than enough. Most people get away with 8GB, but I decided a long time ago that it was far better to have more memory than you needed than it was to not have enough memory when you chose to do something that might need more.

Right now I have 16GB in my system. I do not expect that I will need more than that in the next 3 to 5 years, and by then I most likely will be looking for my first 1151 socket motherboard and CPU, and DDR4.

You should be able to find a 2x 8GB of 1600 CL 9 or lower for under $100.

I don't know where you live, but I pulled up this list from Amazon.com...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=memory+240+pin+1600+DDR3+CL+9+16GB&rh=n%3A541966%2Ck%3Amemory+240+pin+1600+DDR3+CL+9+16GB

1866 is not worth paying double for.

the 1866 is not double the price, it is 2 sets of 2x8 total = 4x8
2x8 = $99
99+99=198
4x8 = $198
two sets of 2x8 both brand new.

MarkW · Oct 4, 2015

Oh I see what you did. Ok.

Unless you are running some very serious database software or something like that, 16GB should be more than enough memory for your system.

Javapiecez · Oct 4, 2015

MarkW :

Honestly, i'm maxing my ram, just to have the future head space.

MarkW · Oct 4, 2015

I have no problem with that. I just wanted to make sure you knew that 16GB should be more than enough. I did, and you want more. I love it! lol

Tradesman1 · Oct 4, 2015

Performance wise at a given data rate and CL the voltage doesn't really matter. Depending on the programming with same spec (say 1866/9) sticks performance will vary little. The things you want to look for in DRAM are a high data rate with a low CL. For AMD rig 1866/9 is generally a good choice for a 6300 or 8350, and go for 2x8GB for 16GB. AMD CPUs don't have very strong MCs (memory controllers). To that end, think I'd suggest the GSkill Ripjaws X or their Sniper line in 1866/9

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