[SOLVED] 2666 cl12 faster than 3200 cl16?

[triple3pros]

looking to get ram for my new 10400 pc, the 2666 is $10 cheaper. Would it be better to get the 2666 or 3200?

 

[Barty1884]

I'm not aware of 2666 CL12?

Regardless, unless you opt for Z470 (or maybe H470), you'll be limited to 2666MHz anyway... So 2666MHz @ the lowest CL would be the 'best' choice.

 

[triple3pros]

My 10400f will be on a z490. I got a buddy who overclocked his 2666 to cl12, if the 2666 is better than I would get the same one as him.

 

[Barty1884]

It's not a 100% accurate calculation, as different tasks will benefit more from speed than it will 'latency' (to a point).

I think the calc is (CL / speed) x 2000 = nanoseconds (and lower is 'better').

So (12/2666)x2000 = 9
Vs
(16/3200)x2000 = 10

So the 2666 @ CL12 would be ever so slight 'faster' - but you're not going to notice that in real-world uses, and in some tasks, you might benefit from the higher speed.

 

[alceryes]

Newegg has a decent write up on this -
https://promotions.newegg.com/crucial/15-2725/index.html
Also check out the references in this thread -
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/5vnctu/the_definitive_answer_on_ram_frequency_vs_cas/


Basically, 'true' latency has been pretty static over the past few years. You're much better off going for faster RAM.

 

[geofelt]

Fast ram is primarily of benefit with integrated graphics; a moot point here with a 10400f.
One metric is to divide the speed by the latency. The higher the better.
Still, excepting special cases, ram is not very important to intel processors when measuring production or fps. The memory controller is very good at predicting what ram will be needed and having it ready in advance.
The first rule is to get enough. Whatever that means to you.

 

[hotaru.hino]

To add at what @geofelt said, make sure to get at least the bare minimum the manufacturer specifies (which looks like you are). The i5-10400F is specified for DDR4-2666.

On a side note, Zen 2 processors are specified for DDR4-3200.