What memory speed is good for gaming?

KindaHardcoreGamer · Jul 3, 2016

Nobody can ever give me a solid answer, and there seems to be pros and cons to every speed, so I've come to you guys for help.
I'm gaming at 1440p using an i7 6700k but I'm not sure what memory speed will give me the best performance. Price doesn't matter, but I'm likely looking for a 16GB kit. Thanks!

ahnilated · Jul 3, 2016

Get the fastest speeds you are willing to pay for. The i7 6700's are proven to be faster with faster ram.

jossrik · Jul 3, 2016

Here we go:
Faster bandwidth wise? 3200, 2800, 2400, 2133?
Faster latency wise? Actually a way to measure speed. Also called CL or Cas Latency.

Faster bandwidth means more goes through at a time, it can get more work done in the same period of time, but the time it takes to send work and receive it may be slower.

Faster latency means your computer can send and receive information to the memory faster. Lower latency is better. Right now, there's a sweet spot right around 2800/3000 DDR4 at CL15. You can get more bandwidth, but depending on your individual CPU you may or may not be stable past say 3200, though they're getting better every day with the bios updates on motherboards... Lower latency will almost always run on your machine without the hiccups, and there are a few here, well, quite a few now who can help you iron out timings if you're having trouble getting higher bandwidth to run right. And now the right answer, the difference between the fastest more awesomest RAM and the slowest most pitiful RAM will only be a few % difference in real world metrics. Sure you can bench faster or slower or whatever, but when the difference is between 63 frames and 61 frames, it may not be worth the money to you. Are you doing things like CAD work or editing large videos? That'll change things.

Tradesman1 · Jul 3, 2016

I'd go 2x8GB in 3200/14 or better. Take a look at the RipJaws V or the Trident Z sticks

KindaHardcoreGamer · Jul 4, 2016

jossrik :

Here we go:
Faster bandwidth wise? 3200, 2800, 2400, 2133?
Faster latency wise? Actually a way to measure speed. Also called CL or Cas Latency.

Faster bandwidth means more goes through at a time, it can get more work done in the same period of time, but the time it takes to send work and receive it may be slower.

Faster latency means your computer can send and receive information to the memory faster. Lower latency is better. Right now, there's a sweet spot right around 2800/3000 DDR4 at CL15. You can get more bandwidth, but depending on your individual CPU you may or may not be stable past say 3200, though they're getting better every day with the bios updates on motherboards... Lower latency will almost always run on your machine without the hiccups, and there are a few here, well, quite a few now who can help you iron out timings if you're having trouble getting higher bandwidth to run right. And now the right answer, the difference between the fastest more awesomest RAM and the slowest most pitiful RAM will only be a few % difference in real world metrics. Sure you can bench faster or slower or whatever, but when the difference is between 63 frames and 61 frames, it may not be worth the money to you. Are you doing things like CAD work or editing large videos? That'll change things.

Nope, I intend to use it for specifically gaming (and, obviously, web browsing). Does that change anything?

KindaHardcoreGamer · Jul 4, 2016

ahnilated :

So, let's say I don't have a budget for the Ram. What speed/brand/cas latency should I be looking for?
(I'm asking because I heard some of the really high clock speeds get unstable)

Tradesman1 · Jul 4, 2016

3200 is good and can possible carry it without even an OC on the CPU, my 6600K can carry 3200 with no OC and is stable as a rock (even with the 48GB)

KindaHardcoreGamer · Jul 4, 2016

Tradesman1 :

So 3200mhz is probably the highest you would want to go if you want to keep it stable?
(Also, is it true that the 6700k does better with higher memory clock speeds)

Tradesman1 · Jul 4, 2016

You can go higher, price to performance right now, 3200 I think is the sweetspot

Search

What memory speed is good for gaming?

KindaHardcoreGamer

Reputable

jossrik

ahnilated

Splendid

jossrik

Distinguished

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum

KindaHardcoreGamer

Reputable

KindaHardcoreGamer

Reputable

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum

KindaHardcoreGamer

Reputable

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page