RAM choice for new build

syrup · Aug 23, 2016

Looking to get a new computer build going, and had some thoughts on the RAM.

1) Does CAS latency matter anymore? Iirc, back in DDR3 days, people seemed pretty adamant about CAS 9/10. Now that DDR4s are like CAS 15, I'm not sure anymore.

2) What's the standard/optimal DDR4 speed (not plannign to OC)? I was looking to get 2400 G.Skill, but I see a lot of different choices on the forums. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231888&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=)

If I'm mistaken, what's some popular/good suggestions? Definitely going with 16 (2x8), preferably around the $70 range.

Chugalug_ · Aug 23, 2016

What is the budget of your new build?
I'll put something together for you.
CAS latency doesn't really matter, unless you're rendering in which case it may prove useful.
Frequency doesn't affect gaming anymore either, 2133-3000 offers only a 1% performance increase.
This is the best value RAM at the moment: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/4vWrxr/gskill-memory-f42400c15d16gvr

R_1 · Aug 23, 2016

1: see here-- http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2291218/ddr4-ddr3-breakdown.html
2: the optimum speed will be the fastest the motherboard supports without overclocking anything. some will support crazy fast speeds but require Oc'ing the memory controller. as you are not gonna OC. I would get the fastest speed the motherboard supports.

syrup · Aug 23, 2016

Chugalug_ :

So..the same one I linked, but just a newegg link?

Chugalug_ · Aug 23, 2016

R_1, RAM speed is not worth the extra investment for gaming, provides little to no improvement and just bumps up cost.

syrup · Aug 23, 2016

R_1 :

Makes sense. Would you recommend sticking wtih G.Skill then? (I know the other comment suggested G.Skill). I just see a lot of HyperX Fury suggestions also.

Shaun o · Aug 23, 2016

The thing about memory is as I am sure you know, the higher the rated speed of it the Cas latency values tend to be higher.

Having a higher cas latency value when memory is set at a higher speed begins to cancel out or have a negative effect on how well the memory performs.
Though I cannot speak for what the optimum values are to get a good balance of speed or the timings that are optimal for DDR 4 memory.

If you try to lower the cas latency of memory though at a set speed or frequency like I said it will have a negative effect on the memory, so really the same rule should apply to DDR 4 type memory as much as DDR 3 in respect Syrup.

Chugalug_ · Aug 23, 2016

It really just depends on what is the best value at the time, it changes constantly.
The three main minimum kits you always want to go for are the Ripjaws 4/V, the Hyper X Fury series, and Corsair LPX Vengeance.
I just set filter to 2x8GB, filter by price and pick the deal of the day.

syrup · Aug 23, 2016

Shaun o :

I should be fine if I just set the CAS latency at what the box says right? Everything else should just default to factory settings and should work fine as is? I assume your mentioning of tweaking involves OC-ing the RAM?

Chugalug_ · Aug 23, 2016

Yep, you should be perfectly fine.
Note you will need a Z170 board to overclock the RAM, but if you don't OC, the native setting of 2133MHz should be perfectly fine on a H170 board or lower.

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