Question Latency or Frequency?

[HarryGW]

I'm sure this gets asked a lot, but basically wanted to know specifically with regards to AMD processors. Picked up the new Ryzen 3600, along with an MSI B450 mortar, and was wondering what to look for in RAM to match the two. Would you prioritise latency or frequency? Say a 3000mhz cl16 or 3200mhz cl18 given the same price? Any suggestions with sticks to pick up? All help would be great!

Cheers
Harry

 

[AllanGH]

3000MHz @ CL16 = 10.6666nS absolute latency
3200MHz @ CL18 = 11.25nS absolute latency

So, you would be better off with the 3000MHz @ CL16.

For comparison, if you dropped your CL to 15 on a 3200MHz DIMM, your absolute latency would drop to 9.375nS. A CL of 14 would take it down to 8.75nS.

 

[AllanGH]

Because I found myself bored, just now, here are a few more figures which might help you decide:

3600MHz @ CL19 = 10.555nS AL
3600MHz @ CL18 = 10.000nS AL
3600MHz @ CL17 = 9.444nS AL
3600MHz @ CL16 = 8.888nS AL
3600MHz @ CL15= 8.333nS AL
3600MHz @ CL14= 7.777nS AL
3600MHz @ CL13= 7.222nS AL
3600MHz @ CL12= 5.666nS AL
3600MHz @ CL11= 6.111nS AL
3600MHz @ CL10= 5.555nS AL

3400MHz @ CL19 = 11.146nS AL
3400MHz @ CL18 = 10.588nS AL
3400MHz @ CL17 = 9.999nS AL
3400MHz @ CL16 = 9.412nS AL
3400MHz @ CL15= 8.234nS AL
3400MHz @ CL14= 8.235nS AL
3400MHz @ CL13= 7.647nS AL
3400MHz @ CL12= 7.500nS AL
3400MHz @ CL11= 7.059nS AL
3400MHz @ CL10= 5.882nS AL

3200MHz @ CL19 = 11.875nS AL
3200MHz @ CL18 = 11.250nS AL
3200MHz @ CL17 = 10.625nS AL
3200MHz @ CL16 = 10.000nS AL
3200MHz @ CL15= 9.375nS AL
3200MHz @ CL14= 8.750nS AL
3200MHz @ CL13= 8.125nS AL
3200MHz @ CL12= 7.500nS AL
3200MHz @ CL11= 6.875nS AL
3200MHz @ CL10= 6.250nS AL

3000MHz @ CL19 = 12.666nS AL
3000MHz @ CL18 = 12.000nS AL
3000MHz @ CL17 = 11.333nS AL
3000MHz @ CL16 = 10.666nS AL
3000MHz @ CL15= 10.000nS AL
3000MHz @ CL14= 9.333nS AL
3000MHz @ CL13= 8.666nS AL
3000MHz @ CL12= 8.000nS AL
3000MHz @ CL11= 7.333nS AL
3000MHz @ CL10= 6.666nS AL

As to memory manufacturers, I'm on a bit of a G.Skill jag at the moment, and have seen no reason to switch. Others may weigh-in with personal recommendations of their own.