[SOLVED] running 3200 MHz RAM at 2400 MHz versus native 2400 MHz RAM performance difference?

[digital_ecologist]

Hi, so I accidentally bought faster RAM than my computer can handle, the crucial memory I have (which the crucial hardware checker described as 100% compatible with my laptop :-( ) is designed for 3200 MHz but, my laptop runs it at 2400 MHz. In theory I can return what I have, and get the identical 2400 MHz kit, but the price difference is only five dollars right now, so my time is worth more than the five dollars I would get back.

What I'm actually worried about is, whether there's a performance cost to running 3200 MHz RAM at 2400 MHz relative to running native 2400 MHz RAM?

 

[boju]

Difference be memory timings at 3200 vs what they would be with 2400 ram. Check with cpuz under memory tab to see what 3200 timings are currently set at and look up some 2400 modules to compare.

Performance wise, if timings for 3200 @ 2400 is slightly higher, will be negligible so the hassle of returning and the rework isn't going to be worth the effort really.

Laptops are usually limited what you can do in bios but if you could adjust timings then maybe look at that too.

 

[digital_ecologist]

Performance wise, if timings for 3200 @ 2400 is slightly higher, will be negligible so the hassle of returning and the rework isn't going to be worth the effort really.

Hi, the timings on the 3200 MHz RAM that I have are 22-22-22, the 2400 MHz model that I would switch to if I were going to make the change, would be 17-17-17. So the 2400 has lower latency, but based on what you're saying above, I likely wouldn't feel that difference?

 

[boju]

None whatsoever, not in every day tasks.

 

[boju]

But are you getting those timings from package or cpuz?

 

[digital_ecologist]

But are you getting those timings from package or cpuz?

The numbers in the post above came from the specs sheets,

For the one that is actually in my computer these are the screenshots of what looks relevant.

Screenshot 1

screenshot 2

Obviously, I can't run the utility on the 2400 I don't have.

Do the above images change the conclusion at all? Or would it still be a negligible difference?

Thanks for your help.

 

[boju]

See if you can up the ram speed in bios because cpuz is showing they're running at 665*2 = 1333 at CL 10. If they were running 2400 then cpuz will report, as it reads single data rate so you times it by 2, frequency at 1200 instead of 665.

If you can't change memory settings and laptop is after automatic ram profiles then yeah change ram for 2400 because the 3200 kit isn't showing jedec values below 3000 and laptop is defaulting to lowest of low values on it's own as it doesn't know what the ram is capable of. Should be able to change that in bios, hopefully you can.

 

[digital_ecologist]

If you can't change memory settings and laptop is after automatic ram profiles then yeah change ram for 2400 because the 3200 kit isn't showing jedec values below 3000 and laptop is defaulting to lowest of low values on it's own as it doesn't know what the ram is capable of. Should be able to change that in bios, hopefully you can

Yeah, there's nothing to tinker with in the bios.
When digging all over for XMP profiles before I started the thread. Looks like I'll be doing a return.

Thanks for confirming, something just didn't feel right performance wise running on the new stuff, but I thought it might be some sort of placebo, because I knew it was downgrading the 3200.

Here's what the stock memory shows in CPUZ
Stock RAM screenshot 1

Stock RAM screenshot 2

Would this be the optimal upgrade?
Crucial 2400 kit

Or is there something from another manufacturer you would recommend instead of that? It looks right to me, and I originally went with crucial for the compatibility guarantee, but we know where my instincts + their green checkmark landed me the first time.

The computer itself is a Dell Inspiron7786 if that's helpful information.

 

[boju]

Yeah that ram kit should work.

 

[Bob.B]

Yeah, there's nothing to tinker with in the bios.
When digging all over for XMP profiles before I started the thread. Looks like I'll be doing a return.

Thanks for confirming, something just didn't feel right performance wise running on the new stuff, but I thought it might be some sort of placebo, because I knew it was downgrading the 3200.

Here's what the stock memory shows in CPUZ
Stock RAM screenshot 1

Stock RAM screenshot 2

Would this be the optimal upgrade?
Crucial 2400 kit

Or is there something from another manufacturer you would recommend instead of that? It looks right to me, and I originally went with crucial for the compatibility guarantee, but we know where my instincts + their green checkmark landed me the first time.

The computer itself is a Dell Inspiron7786 if that's helpful information.

Just curious....what does task manager/perf/memory show for ram speed?

 

[digital_ecologist]

Yeah that ram kit should work.

Thanks again for the speedy confirmation, wasn't expecting to hear back until tomorrow

Just curious....what does task manager/perf/memory show for ram speed?

It shows 2400 regardless, which is weird doesn't match up with CPUZ

Here's a screenshot of the task manager memory section.

Task manager memory screenshot

 

[Bob.B]

Thanks again for the speedy confirmation, wasn't expecting to hear back until tomorrow



It shows 2400 regardless, which is weird doesn't match up with CPUZ

Here's a screenshot of the task manager memory section.

Task manager memory screenshot

That makes more sense than the ram running at 1333.
It's your call how much ram you want.
It would be a good idea to get a 2x kit.
I suspect the ram speed will be locked at 2400 speed.