How do matching RAM timings improve performance?

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DaanDieKooHaan

DaanDieKooHaan

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Feb 11, 2015
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My local computer shop recently told me that I would get a HUGE performance increase if I had RAM DIMMS with matching timings. I currently have a 1333mhz 4gb 9-9-9-24 match with a value RAM at 1600mhz 4gb (since it's value RAM I don't know how to determine it's timing). They run in dual channel mode with a supported cpu and motherboard.

Is there any truth to this claim and can someone please explain this to me?

Thank you very much
 
Solution
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With unmatched RAM, your PC will take the lowest common demoninator. So, in your case, both RAM chips will run at 1333 (timings not sure).

But when it comes down to it, RAM performance isn't really a big deal outside a couple frames per second unless you are using an integrated graphics solution; specifically AMD APUs.
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R_1

R_1

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Sep 8, 2015
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if they are in sync they can run faster.
think of it like this. we both have to deliver pizzas, me on my bicycle, you in a corvette. because you are faster you will end up waiting for me more often than I would wait for you. it would be ideal if we were in sync, no one waiting for anything.
the mismatched timings are like the bike and the vette, they both can do the job, but since they aren't in sync, time is wasted and that equals a performance hit
 
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DaanDieKooHaan

DaanDieKooHaan

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How big of a performance hit does the system take? I mean in gaming terms.

My system:
i5-4590
Asus Z97-K
8GB RAM (4gb 1333mhz + 4gb 1600mhz)
Gigabyte GTX 780 Ghz Edition 3GB
OCZ Trion 100 240GB SSD
2TB WD HDD
Seasonic Bronze 750W 80%+

Apparently I'm supposed to be playing all the latest games at maxed out settings at 1080p
 
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bloodroses75

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With unmatched RAM, your PC will take the lowest common demoninator. So, in your case, both RAM chips will run at 1333 (timings not sure).

But when it comes down to it, RAM performance isn't really a big deal outside a couple frames per second unless you are using an integrated graphics solution; specifically AMD APUs.
 
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Solution
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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Regardless of what you have in the rig (if it's running all the DRAM and they are playing nice - they are all running at the same timings, voltages and data rate. The big thing is if they can all run to spec, quite often if you mix two 1600 sticks they will drop to 1333 (mobos default) and you would want to set them to spec of 1600 (which is a gain though not a big gain), with what you currently have, it doesn't matter what you might 'add' to it, you would never see a huge gain as they claimed. Even if you got an 1866 stick and could run your current stick at 1866 it would be a small gain, performance wise, if any at all ;) My guess is they were trying to get you to buy a more expensive stick of the set spec you have vs a lower price value type stick of DRAM
 
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