DDR3 Performance Factors

[thedesolatesoul]

Hi there,
Not considering overclocking in this question.
As far as I know, the three main factors affecting RAM speed are:
The clock frequency
CAS Latency
Single/Dual/Triple channel

I know that the RAM frequency is most important in speed/bandwidth figures. But how much do the other two count?
If you have a single low latency stick, is that better than 2 sticks running in dual channel mode?

What are the other factors involved in buying high performance ram and how do they compare?

 

[rolli59]

On the single versus dual http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
Low latency single channel can be faster than slower dual channel setup.
High performance ram is for overclockers and system tweakers that want to squeeze every bit of performance out of their system (+ they look cool). Half the people that buy performance ram run them at stock and would be just as happy with performance of value ram!

 

[thedesolatesoul]

On the single versus dual http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
Low latency single channel can be faster than slower dual channel setup.
High performance ram is for overclockers and system tweakers that want to squeeze every bit of performance out of their system (+ they look cool). Half the people that buy performance ram run them at stock and would be just as happy with performance of value ram!

Given that both setups are the same speed (lets say 1333 MHz), will a single 4GB CL7 be faster, than 2x2GB CL9 in dual channel?

I've heard that the difference is not really noticeable, but I am trying to get every teeeeny bit of performance out of my rig to make it perfectly efficient.

 

[rolli59]

I can not say since I have not seen a benchmark but based on the Wikipedia article I would say the CL7 ram more often than not.

 

[vvhocare5]

I am trying to get every teeeeny bit of performance out of my rig to make it perfectly efficient.

You have spent far more time micro-analyzing this than its worth. There is no perfectly efficient state to achieve. If you want a benchmark title, then you want the lowest CL RAM you can afford - and OC your mb to use it. But you will get far more day-to-day performance out of your hard drive. Different drives, usig RAID, using an SSD will all contribute MUCH more to useful performance that this perfect efficiency you are seeking.

Just my 2 centavos

 

[thedesolatesoul]

Yes, I understand. Problem is everytime I settle on a product, I find some new terminologies and then go about looking at what they mean. Just too much variety to keep me confused!!!