Question Using CL16 3000 MHz vs CL18 3200MHz RAM on Ryzen 5 3600 build.

[Kappa12three]

Where I live you can't find all kinds of RAMs easily so I am down to a few choices. Which RAM should I choose for my Ryzen 5 3600 build in conditions below ? I might use MSI B450 Gaming Plus or Tomahawk as a motherboard so I have checked the compability ( QVL ) of below RAMs for these motherboards.


1. 2x Kingston 8GB HyperX FURY Black DDR4 3200MHz CL18 PC Ram HX432C18FB2/8

• Looks compatible with B450 Gaming Plus in the QVL list.
• Doesn't look compatible with B450 Tomahawk in the QVL list.
• Only problem is that this RAM is CL18.

2. GSKILL 16GB (2x8GB) TRIDENT Z DDR4 3200MHz CL16 1.35V Dual Kit RGB LED Ram F4-3200C16D-16GTZR

• Does NOT look compatible with both B450 Gaming Plus or Tomahawk in the QVL list.
• I don't want to prefer this one much because it's a little out of my budget.

3. 2x Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB 3000MHz DDR4 RAM CMK8GX4M1D3000C16

• Does NOT look compatible with both B450 Gaming Plus or Tomahawk in the QVL list.

4. Crucial 16GB (2x8GB) Ballistix Sport LT White DDR4 3000MHz CL15 1.35V PC Ram BLS2K8G4D30AESCK

• Does NOT look compatible with both B450 Gaming Plus or Tomahawk in the QVL list.

So you might say "Well choose the only compatible one !!!" but I have also encountered some people on the internet that their RAM wasn't in the QVL list but their setup still worked.

So I need to know which one of CL18 3200Mhz RAM or CL16 3000MHz RAM is better for my Ryzen 5 3600 system. If CL18 3200 MHz is better, fine then no problem since it is also the only compatible one and has the lowest chance to fail me when booting in this list. But if it has big disadvantages over CL16 3000MHz RAMs then I am going to consider risking buying a RAM that isn't in the QVL list.



Thanks so much.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

In your case, the CL 16 3000mhz, IMO will provide slightly better performance. Although the CL18 DIMMS are 3200 speed, the difference in CL (18-16) negates the speed bump.

Also, for Ryzen, the benefits of faster ram, taper off after 2933mhz. So from a performance point of view going with 3200 over 3000 might yield a 2% increase. But having CL16 instead of 18 would be a better improvement.

You are correct, some DIMMS not on a QVL work just fine. But others don't. The QVL is a guide. It shows DIMMS that have been tested to work with your mobo. Those not on the QVL have not been tested. You do however run the risk of not getting the DIMMS to run at full speed, but with the B450 mobos memory compatibility is much better than the previous B350 mobo's.

Tough choice. For more bandwitdh and tighter timings I'd go the CL16 3000mhz DIMMS. But adding caution that it 'could' be problematic the DIMMS haven't been tested.

 

[DMAN999]

I would check the G.Skill Memory Configurator and the Corsair Memory Finder and see which kits they list as compatible with those motherboards.
https://www.gskill.com/configurator?page=1&cls=1529635169&model=1531979775

Computer Memory | RGB Ram | CORSAIR

CORSAIR memory is built with the highest quality materials and is rigorously tested to provide the highest performance for every PC build. Shop now.

www.corsair.com

 

[Kappa12three]

In your case, the CL 16 3000mhz, IMO will provide slightly better performance. Although the CL18 DIMMS are 3200 speed, the difference in CL (18-16) negates the speed bump.

Also, for Ryzen, the benefits of faster ram, taper off after 2933mhz. So from a performance point of view going with 3200 over 3000 might yield a 2% increase. But having CL16 instead of 18 would be a better improvement.

You are correct, some DIMMS not on a QVL work just fine. But others don't. The QVL is a guide. It shows DIMMS that have been tested to work with your mobo. Those not on the QVL have not been tested. You do however run the risk of not getting the DIMMS to run at full speed, but with the B450 mobos memory compatibility is much better than the previous B350 mobo's.

Tough choice. For more bandwitdh and tighter timings I'd go the CL16 3000mhz DIMMS. But adding caution that it 'could' be problematic the DIMMS haven't been tested.

I would check the G.Skill Memory Configurator and the Corsair Memory Finder and see which kits they list as compatible with those motherboards.
https://www.gskill.com/configurator?page=1&cls=1529635169&model=1531979775

Computer Memory | RGB Ram | CORSAIR

CORSAIR memory is built with the highest quality materials and is rigorously tested to provide the highest performance for every PC build. Shop now.

www.corsair.com

Thank you for your answers it has helped a lot

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Thank you for your answers it has helped a lot

No probs. You're welcome!

 

[realityHD]

lower cl the better, if you can find 3200 at cl 14 thats what you optimally want for ryzen, 3200 in geral seems to be the sweet spot based on all the reasearch ive done and ryzen works better with tighter timings so the 15 would be better than the 16 forsure but i definanltly wouldnt go with the 18.
not to mention the 16gs with the crucial kit is probably goong to be better than any 8g kit.