[SOLVED] CL16 vs CL18

[Vitpilen]

I'm about to get RAM for my PC, and I was wondering what are the differences between these?
The shop I'm getting my parts from has a G.Skill Trident Z Neo 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory but doesn't have a CL16 kit, are there any differences between these two?

 

[Isokolon]

yes, it's a different kit with different timings.
will you find any real life applications that would make one significantly better than the other one? probably not.

 

[scout_03]

these https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232476

 

[william p]

The CL number is how many clock cycles the RAM spends refreshing the data. At the same speed lower is better. But as speed increases so does the latency (CL). The effect on overall performance will be very small.

 

[Vitpilen]

The CL number is how many clock cycles the RAM spends refreshing the data. At the same speed lower is better. But as speed increases so does the latency (CL). The effect on overall performance will be very small.

So would a 3400MHz 16CL will be better than a 3600MHz 18CL?

these https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232476

No, these ones actually

F4-3600C18D-16GTZN - Overview - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Engineered and optimized for full compatibility on the latest AMD Ryzen platforms, Trident Z Neo brings unparalleled DRAM memory performance and vibrant RGB lighting to any gaming PC or workstation with latest AMD Ryzen CPUs and AMD DDR4 motherboards.

www.gskill.com

 

[william p]

It depends on what speed your MB will actuallly run them at.
If your computer will actually run them at say 2800 then they both may have differnet timings like CL14 at that speed, and unfortunately I've never seen these figures published. But lower is better. I would get the ones with the lower CL and hope for the best. It won't make a big difference either way.

 

[Vitpilen]

It depends on what speed your MB will actuallly run them at.
If your computer will actually run them at say 2800 then they both may have differnet timings like CL14 at that speed, and unfortunately I've never seen these figures published. But lower is better. I would get the ones with the lower CL and hope for the best. It won't make a big difference either way.

I have a Tomahawk MAX motherboard with a Ryzen 5 3600 and a RTX Super 2070.
I also have a choice between a Trident Z Neo 3600Mhz 18CLI and a Trident Z RGB 3466Mhz 16CLI,
Should I get the Trident Z RGB Instead?
Also are there any difference between the "Z RGB" and "Z Neo"?
Also there's a Corsair Vegeance RGB Pro 3200MHz 16CLI for like 30$ less.

 

[william p]

Here's the math on this. It should be valid since your system can use the full speed of those modules.
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/ddr4-frequency-vs-latency.232240/

 

[scout_03]

these are the neo some are cas 14 https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=trident+z+neo&N=100007611&name=Desktop Memory and on my system i use the flare x one cas 14

 

[Third-Eye]

I have a Tomahawk MAX motherboard with a Ryzen 5 3600 and a RTX Super 2070.
I also have a choice between a Trident Z Neo 3600Mhz 18CLI and a Trident Z RGB 3466Mhz 16CLI,
Should I get the Trident Z RGB Instead?
Also are there any difference between the "Z RGB" and "Z Neo"?
Also there's a Corsair Vegeance RGB Pro 3200MHz 16CLI for like 30$ less.

I have a Tomahawk MAX motherboard with a Ryzen 5 3600 and a RTX Super 2070.
I also have a choice between a Trident Z Neo 3600Mhz 18CLI and a Trident Z RGB 3466Mhz 16CLI,
Should I get the Trident Z RGB Instead?
Also are there any difference between the "Z RGB" and "Z Neo"?
Also there's a Corsair Vegeance RGB Pro 3200MHz 16CLI for like 30$ less.

If you don't mind doing a manual overclock, you could get a DDR4 3866 or 4000 2x8GB kit for $90-130. Your MSI motherboard should have the bios menu for memory overclocking called Memory Try It! that has presets for memory speeds and you should be able to just set it to 3600 CL16-18-18. Check your bios for Memory Try it! before you decide.
https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=10000...4 600006072&LeftPriceRange=80 130&Order=PRICE
I don't really recommend getting these faster kits unless your motherboard has presets in bios already or you are familiar with at least basic memory overclocking. I know that Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4 3866-4400 kits use Samsung B-die and the G.Skill kits probably have B-Die as well, but I have no idea about the other brands.