[SOLVED] 3200 cl16 vs 3600 cl18 — the better choice?

[enmac]

Hello!

I read that the formula for calculating the memory latency in nanoseconds is this:

(CAS latency / RAM clock speed) * 2000 = latency in nanoseconds

3200MHz cl16 -> (16/3200)*2000 = 10 nanoseconds
3600MHz cl18 -> (18/3600)*2000 = 10 nanoseconds

Does this mean that if the Motherboard supports both 3200MHz and 3600MHz, it doesn't matter if you choose to use 3200MHz cl16 or 3600MHz cl18 ?

In both cases you will get the same latency and the same performance? Or still one of them is the better choice?

EDIT: I want to know, if you have to make a choice between 3200MHz cl16 and 3600MHz cl18, which of them is the better choice?

Thanks!

 

[Phaaze88]

Keep it simple: Frequency > CL.
The gains in memory bandwidth are going to be greater than a measurement of time you will never notice.

 

[enmac]

The gains in memory bandwidth are going to be greater than a measurement of time you will never notice.

Does it mean that the 3600MHz cl18 would be the better choice in this case?

 

[DMAN999]

Is there a reason you aren't considering a 3600 C16 kit like this one ?
https://www.gskill.com/product/165/184/1562831134/F4-3600C16D-16GVKC-Overview

What motherboard and CPU do you have ?
You can use the G.Skill Configurator to look for 3600 C16 kits that are compatible with your MB:
https://www.gskill.com/configurator

 

[enmac]

Thank you for your reply and your suggestions.

My question is actually general. I want to know it as a "general rule". That's why in my example I used 3200MHz cl16 and 3600MHz cl18, both have different frequencies and different CL, but they have the same latency in nanoseconds.

I want to know, if you have to make a choice between 3200MHz cl16 and 3600MHz cl18, which of them is the better choice?

 

[DMAN999]

Either is fine but the 3600 C18 should be faster in Benchmarks and slightly faster (but probably not noticeable) in real world use.

But if I was buying RAM for my 3700x system I would look for a 3600 C16 kit.

 

[Phaaze88]

Does it mean that the 3600MHz cl18 would be the better choice in this case?

Yeah. You can also look for a 3600 C16 kit, but keep in mind:
-Higher frequency = higher price
-Lower CL = higher price
-Tighter primary timings = higher price
How much are you willing to spend?

 

[enmac]

Thank you for your replies!