Easy RAM Question

[lothian]

Hi All,

Which do you think would be a better choice for RAM

5-4-4-12 @1.8v
4-4-4-12 @ 2.2V

It will be either a P45 or X48 board.

The chip will be either at 8400 or a 9950. I may do light and easy overclock or maybe none at all.

I am unsure because I thought I read that 4-4-4 was good but also that 1.8v was good.

Sorry for the newbie question.

Thanks

 

[rodney_ws]

Although far from an expert on this topic, to me appears you're confused. The first series of numbers you list are explained here in detail...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAM_latency
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAS_Latency

The voltage numbers you list have no bearing on performance. That's just how much electricity is being supplied to the RAM. Generally speaking, more voltage will allow for higher speeds (to a point) but this extra electricity is going to generate extra heat... so either you hit a limit as to how fast the memory can operate, how much power the chips can handle or how much heat they can handle before their operation becomes unreliable.

I just re-read what I typed and I'm not too happy with how it came out... maybe someone else can do better.

 

[Shadow703793]

5-4-4-12 @1.8v is a good choice as you won't have to mess with voltages.

 

[jeb1517]

I don't even consider latencies that much. I just look at the speed rating (667/800 etc...) and look for the cheapest memory on newegg.

 

[rodney_ws]

I don't even consider latencies that much. I just look at the speed rating (667/800 etc...) and look for the cheapest memory on newegg.

Well, if you're all about speed... if you get memory with really low latencies you can generally loosen 'em up a bit and clock the memory considerably higher. I'm pretty sure that latencies have a big impact on overall system performance.

 

[hairycat101]

Those two specs the op has listed are pretty darn close in terms of latencies. I, personally, would rather have the lower voltage. Bet even most synthetics wouldn't show a difference between them.

 

[lothian]

Thanks for all the advice.

I forgot to mention they are both PC2-6400 (2x2Gb) if that matters.

 

[ck07]

Could you copy the Newegg product page URLs so we can see them? The timings on the first one remind me of a certain OCZ kit but I remember the voltage differently .....

 

[lothian]

Here you go:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731&Tpk=996587

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148202&Tpk=BL2KIT25664AL804

I am not set on either of these kits but I cannot get every type so my choices are limited.