Memory question, perhaps a bit noob :-)

GregH · 08 Apr 2014

Hey all,

I currently run decent Corsair Dominator 1600 Mhz RAM: 8 GB that has XMP profile latency of 8-9-8-24. Runs 1.5V

I was wondering about a minor upgrade to 2400Mhz 16 GB (just because I can

...) BUT I don't understand the latency thing.

If you take a reasonably high end RAM such as CORSAIR Vengeance PRO 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 2400MHz Desktop Gaming Memory , which is in stock with my local supplier, it has a latency of 10-12-12-31. Surely that means it is SLOWER than the 8GB kit? Also, is it less preferable if it runs at 1.65V or is that normal for 2400Mhz Ram like this?

user31 · 08 Apr 2014

Obviously, the more RAM you have is always better; however, the lower the timing the faster it will be. If you intend to purchase that Corsair package for gaming, you most likely will be overclocking it. That's why the timings are higher; cause it doesn't always matter since most people overclock their systems for gaming.

Boozad · 08 Apr 2014

You'll get no benefit from 2400MHz RAM over 1600MHz unless you overclock your CPU.

GregH · 08 Apr 2014

I am over clocking my CPU (i7 4770K) moderately at 4.3 GHz at the moment. I am running the RAM at the XMP setting in the BIOS though, nothing more complicated. Will this make it worthwhile?

Am I right to think that the 2400 MHz memory will be faster than 1600 MHz but because of the higher latency numbers, this will be more or less balanced out?

How will over clocking the CPU make a difference to the 2400 RAM over the 1600 RAM performance? Would I need to over clock the RAM also in the BIOS to bring latency down? My over riding focus is on a 24/7 100% stable system, over clocked to get extra performance but well within limits to ensure that rock solid stability. That's why I am not trying to over clock beyond 4.3 on my CPU.

Mellon Head · 08 Apr 2014

This may help you to understand RAM timings a little better:

Understanding RAM Timings | Hardware Secrets

GregH · 08 Apr 2014

Thanks Mellon Head. I read the link and I understand why Boozad says it would need to be over clocked now to get the benefit of the higher frequency now. Yes, I would be overclocking it as I would be using the XMP profile on my ASUS Maximus motherboard to get the 2400 MHz frequency. This would however still leave me with timings of 10-12-12-31. Trying to reduce those timings to my current 8-9-8-24 and keep 2400Mhz would be unlikely as I understand it.

Thus my original question remains - would this "upgrade" actually be worth considering or would it be money poorly spent?

Mellon Head · 09 Apr 2014

Keep in mind the speed of the kit when you're looking at the latency numbers. At 2400, the new RAM would run 33% faster than the DDR-1600 you have now, regardless of the latency. Keep in mind, also, that the latency necessarily increases with speed. The faster the effective RAM clock, the more wait states have to be put into the RAM to maintain proper timing with the rest of the system.

As for spending the money and whether it is worth it, I can't tell you that, but I don't think you'd ever get that new RAM down to 8-9-8-24.