Need advice on RAM Speeds/Timings

[Alex Zelinsky]

So I have recently purchased a new DDR4 RAM with an XMP profile that allowed it to go as fast as 3k Mhz. But the trend I noticed is that the timings are becoming slower as the speed increases.

For example the default speeds:
SPD - 2133 MHz - 1.2 V - CL15 - 15-15-15

Here is the 2666 profile:
2666 MHz - 1.35 V - CL14 - 14-15-15

and the 3000 one:
3000 MHz - 1.35 V - CL15 - 15-17-17

As you can see at 3k the timings get lower. Is it worth it to run the RAM at 3k despite the lower timings or should I just settle for 2666 instead?

Thank you

 

[firefoxx04]

It really does not matter. Timings almost always increase as speed increases. Some will argue that 3000mhz is better despite the looser timings. If you are using integrated graphics, 3000mhz will be better.

 

[Alex Zelinsky]

It really does not matter. Timings almost always increase as speed increases. Some will argue that 3000mhz is better despite the looser timings. If you are using integrated graphics, 3000mhz will be better.

Thanks for your reply. I am using GTX 970 GPU.
But that's the thing I don't undestand. I too, thought that with increased speeds timings also get better but in this case it's the other way around. How could you explain that? 14-15-15 at 2666 and suddenly 15-17-17 at 3k whilst it supposed to be way better than that?

 

[Tradesman1]

That's typical, the 3K is going to offer much better performance than 2666 - can sort of ignore the 2133 set of timings, that's based on the JEDEC specifications (which are loose), so you are looking at 14 for 2666 and 15 for 3000

 

[Alex Zelinsky]

That's typical, the 3K is going to offer much better performance than 2666 - can sort of ignore the 2133 set of timings, that's based on the JEDEC specifications (which are loose), so you are looking at 14 for 2666 and 15 for 3000

That's quite interesting. Thank you for your input.

I remember that with DDR3 it was the other way around - higher clocks usually means better timings but DDR4 is a weird fish and with increasing clocks timing also decreases.