DDR3 1600 vs DDR3 2400 in 2015

[Jonathan Wong]

Few years ago it didnt really matter between 1600 or 2400, it was an expensive option for those who wanted the best of the best. But now DDR3 prices have gone down and im looking to upgrade from 16gb to 32gb. Is it worth getting 2400 32gb ram? It is going to be used for gaming, 3d modeling (memory intensive programs) and running virtual machines (i want to allocate more ram to it).

If there is or isnt a difference, any 32gb kit recommendations? Ive read that the g.skill ripjaws x F3-2400C11Q-32GXM are pretty good value. Although im tempted to stick with corsair vengeance as its series has served me quite well.

I am not looking to upgrade to DDR4, ive just purcahsed my 4790k and maximus vii hero about half a year ago. My budget is tight, so the cheaper the better. Although if there is one thats slightly more expensive but well worth the money i will consider that.

 

[Robert Cook]

well DDR3 2400MHz RAM might sound faster, but if the latency values are not low enough, they actually are slower. for instance I have DDR3 16000MHz, but I overclocked the latency down to 6, and the results are highly impressive. I would frankly get the blue ripjaws X DDR3 1660 MHz CL8, even if you do not drop the latency, you are saving fairly decent amounts of money, and the performance will not be much different.

 

[Shneiky]

RAM MHz vs. RAM latency has been a topic that gave birth to many many myths.

As a 3D/Compositing generalist - I did my fair share of testing for softwares like Maya, VRay, Photoshop, AfterEffects and NUKE.

Now let me elaborate:

If you have a constant flow of data - like making an archive with WinZIP or WinRAR - the 2400 MHz RAM will be slightly on top due to the higher overall bandwidth it provides. Technically - it is like sending few request and waiting for the big data to flow.

If you have a scenario in which you are doing multiple small reads - like modeling, brushing in Photoshop or switching to preview different nodes in NUKE - then you are sending many request for small packages of data.

So to make an abstract interpretation - when you need to send few requests for a lot of data - then MHZ win. If you are sending many requests for small data - then Lower Latency wins.

But all in all - 1600 MHz CAS 9/CAS 8 is the best price/performance for me. I do not find it productive to spend 50% more on a kit for 0.5% improved performance. When I was building my system DDR3 1600 MHz price was quite steep and 9-9-9 kits were not widely available - so I am still sitting on 1333 MHz on 9-9-9. And for all my intended usage and purposes - I get exactly the same performance as if it was 1600 10-10-10 or 1866 11-11-11.

My advice - find the cheapest 1600 MHz 9 or 8 latency kit and call it a day.

 

[Jonathan Wong]

Thanks for the fast reply, im going to find a 1600mhz kit then.

 

[Tradesman1]

Depends on available pricing 2133 or 2400 is rapidly becoming the sweetspot, the additional bandwidth is better in most apps and particularly multi-tasking, video, imaging, etc. Can even show up to a 10% gain or so with some games. Did some comparisong between 2400 and 1600 in an article a while back that migh help here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dram-benchmark-fluctuations,4080.html

Also, CL does play in, though it's a combination of CL and data rate, i.e. Robert Cook mentions CL8 on 1600 sticks above, which is good for 1600, yet would easily be outperformed by a fairly basic set of 2400/11 and more so by a good 2400/10 set : see my (item 8) Fiction article:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

and/or the Low CAS vs high data rate FAQ (item 4) here:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ddr3-dram-faq,review-33220.html#p4

 

[InvalidError]

One word of caution: 32GB in the form of 4x8GB on a dual-channel platform means two DIMMs per channel and signal integrity becomes increasingly problematic as speeds get cranked up so be aware that there is a fair probability the memory will not work at 2400MT/s with more than one DIMM per channel.

 

[Shneiky]

Tradesman1 has a very valid point about 2133 and 2400 performance in gaming. InvalidError has also very valid point about memory compatibility.

But if we are talking 3D packages - lower latency is king.

 

[Tradesman1]

One word of caution: 32GB in the form of 4x8GB on a dual-channel platform means two DIMMs per channel and signal integrity becomes increasingly problematic as speeds get cranked up so be aware that there is a fair probability the memory will not work at 2400MT/s with more than one DIMM per channel.

_________________

At 2400 that is seldom a problem with Haswell K model CPUs, haven't yet run into a 4670K or 4690K (i5) that couldn't run a full load of 32GB at 2400, let alone an i7 K model (even seen some non-Ks that could handle 2400. This was more problematic with the 1155 SB and IB CPUs the 3770K seldom ever had a problem, there were few 3570Ks that easily handled 2400 K with a full load, the 2600K often could but generally the 2500K couldn't

 

[Tradesman1]

Tradesman1 has a very valid point about 2133 and 2400 performance in gaming. InvalidError has also very valid point about memory compatibility.

But if we are talking 3D packages - lower latency is king.

_______________

Not really as you lose the additional bandwidth that is provided, that the faster data rate takes and does more each clock cycle, another way to look at it, if you really wanted to drop your performance is if we look at the 1600/8 you propose vs the better 2400/10 I mentioned, if you chose to downclock the 2400 sticks to 1600 you could run them at 1600/7 or better vs the native 1600/8 of the native set. Though again, it doesn't make sense to downclock as you lose the additional bandwidth, i.e. why work with 2 items at a time if you can equally work with 3 items at a time (or 16 vs 24 at a time)

 

[Jonathan Wong]

Im really tired right now so i dont want to go too deep in the technical stuff. What i pretty much do is have vmware running almost 24/7 (basically whenever i power on my pc), so its bound to use up a bit of memory if i leave it on for long. Light games such as dota and csgo while having vmware running (ill have it off when i play more intensive games). On top of that a few 3d modeling programs such as rhino, 3dmax and unreal running, (usually 1-2 at the same time). Im one of those people who leave 30 tabs open on chrome so thats going to use up quite a bit as well. So which type should i go for? 1600 with 9 latency or 2400 with 10 latency?

 

[Tradesman1]

Higher data rates will be better, 2400/10 would be good, I generally run a couple VMs (other OSs among other things) daily. My son works with 3D, video, imaging and other rather extensively and has moved up from 1600, to 2133 to 2400 and has been thrilled with each increase (now he wants my 2666 or 2800 set, which he will prob buy when I get my Skylake put together 😉 )

 

[Jonathan Wong]

Higher data rates will be better, 2400/10 would be good, I generally run a couple VMs (other OSs among other things) daily. My son works with 3D, video, imaging and other rather extensively and has moved up from 1600, to 2133 to 2400 and has been thrilled with each increase (now he wants my 2666 or 2800 set, which he will prob buy when I get my Skylake put together 😉 )

Damn its hard to decide, i guess ill give 2400 a shot. Always used 1600 so might as well try something new. Is there a particular kit that u recommend? Hows the performance difference between 2400 and 2800? Im running on a 4790k and a maximus vii hero, pretty up to date so i dont think theres going to be any problems.

 

[Tradesman1]

I've got 2800 on my Z97 Hero, and can tell when I drop it to test 2400 sticks on it. I myself don't game, but my son has a similar (4770K/Hero/32GB 2400) and games some, he's said he's seen increases in gaming from his earlier sticks on up through the 2400)

 

[Jonathan Wong]

I've got 2800 on my Z97 Hero, and can tell when I drop it to test 2400 sticks on it. I myself don't game, but my son has a similar (4770K/Hero/32GB 2400) and games some, he's said he's seen increases in gaming from his earlier sticks on up through the 2400)

Im tempted to go all in and buy 2800 :/ What are some kits u recommend or u use personally? Ive never used anything apart from corsair so yea. Ive heard nothing but good thing about g.skill so im leaning towards them (they are slightly cheaper too). What about kingston hyper x? They seem to be a pretty new series.

EDIT: 2800 is wayy too expensive for a uni student like me. Ill look for some 2400 or 2666 kits (if the difference is huge between them)

EDIT2: How does this sou nd? http://www.newegg.com/global/au/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231675&cm_re=F3-2400C11Q-32GXM-_-20-231-675-_-Product

It received the smart buy 2014 award from reviews on this site. It does have a latency of 11 though, can i over clock that down to 10 or should i spend a bit extra and get one with 10?

 

[Tradesman1]

In 2800 I've got the 32GB set of Trident X and have yet to find anything as good as it, as to the 2400 sets available the same, Trident X, the RJ X you mention are very good, they perform about on a par with the Snipers I used in my article referenced above:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dram-benchmark-fluctuations,4080.html

The Corsair VP is very good also in the 2400/10, not sure about there, but hard to find here, most often best can be found with them is the 2400/11. Also if available there are the Team Xtreem in 2400/10

 

[Shneiky]

Well Tradesman, you make another valid point about the drop in the bandwidth which I also mentioned before. But that is the thing - 3D modeling does not require much bandwidth at all. In Maya and 3Ds - modeling is rather low threaded process with many small RAM operations.

Though I just checked the prices in the AU link the op posted and price differences are not that shocking going from 1600 to 2133 and up. In Europe - going from 1600 to 2133 goes at a 50% and up premium. At that low prices, it might be best for him just to follow your advice and jump on 2400. I am not a VM expert, but I guess the 2400 MHz will be beneficiary in that aspect.