9-9-9-24-2N What does 2N mean?

[suhail82]

I need some help choosing the right memory. It's between these 2:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) , 9-9-9-24, 1.5V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) , 9-9-9-24-2N, 1.5V (about 20$ cheaper)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

I'm buying a 'ASRock P55 Extreme' mobo + i5-750 mostly for gaming. Which memory do you recommend?

What does the 2N signify in the memory timing ? I couldn't get any real info on it.

Thanks!

 

[saint19]

Hi newcomer and welcome to the Tom's hardware forum.

2N is the command rate (CR) and is the time it takes a signal in memory to be issued to a ram module.

A lot of memory now will only run properly at a 2T or 2N command rate, 1T or 1N rates can be attaind and do perform better however stability issues can arise with these settings.

Now, for your rig none of them. The CL is very high, the recomended CL is CL7 or CL8.

 

[suhail82]

Wow..I was minutes away from buying. Thanks for the reply.

After some more searching its between these 2 now

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 2x2GB (PC3 12800), 7-7-7-20, 1.85V - 1.95V, 140$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146871

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 2x2GB (PC3 12800), 7-8-7-24-2N, 1.65V, 115$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

or should i be looking at pc3 10600 for my system?
Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2x2GB (PC3 10600), 7-7-7-24, 1.65V, 120$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148327

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[saint19]

Ohh, dificult chooise. I currently have Crucial Ballistix Tracer and are very good, with LEDs and very good performance. But the G.Skill are good too, so, in this case i would get for the RAM that your mobo support as default, your mobo support 1600 or less as default. Honestly, I would get the Crucial.

P.D. I also would change the mobo, ASRock isn't very good.

 

[suhail82]

Which mobo do you recommend around 150$?

I chose ASRock because it was recommended in this toms hardware guide

http://www.tomshardware.com/system-configuration-recommendation-54.html

and it had good ratings on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=280&Description=&Type=&N=2010200280&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=706%3A45357&PropertyCodeValue=706%3A49183&PropertyCodeValue=706%3A53841&PropertyCodeValue=706%3A50781

Thanks again for the help.

 

[saint19]

Hi again.

1- This looks as a good option.

2- This is a good option too.

 

[JDFan]

Since you are getting an Intel system do not get the Muskin RAM - THey require 1.9Volts and the intel boards have problems with that high of voltage ! - the other 2 are both 1.65Volt modules so are good for Intel boards.

 

[suhail82]

Best answer selected by suhail82.

 

[414jamison]

For the newer intel cpus buy the memory raited at 1.35v so you dont fry the onboard memory controller.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar