What is 9-9-9-24-2N timing?

[ljgrimm]

I am looking at purchasing 8gb of RAM for my new build. There are two different g.skill ripsaws available on newegg, where all the stats are the same except that the timing for one is 9-9-9-24 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426) and the other is 9-9-9-24-2N (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311). What is the difference between them and functionally does it make any difference.

For reference I am planning on using 2500k cpu with a gigabyte motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512).

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PrvtChurch]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/269674-30-mean

 

[ljgrimm]

Is one inherently better then?

 

[jaquith]

Of the (2) linked the G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL ONLY because it's optimized for the SB CPU which generally means the JEDEC options are geared towards the LGA 1155. If manually set they should otherwise perform the same.

The SB CPU + Gaming is best suited with 8GB or more of DDR3-1600 CAS 8/9. If you're not going to be adding more RAM then the G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL ; when in 2 pairs i.e. 4x4GB they often will run at a slower DDR3-1333 instead of their individually Rated DDR3-1600 Frequency.

CAS Timings is only part of the picture same with Frequency. Ideally the fastest is High Frequency with Low CAS. Simple analogy:

You have to look at RAM as a whole Frequency {bandwidth} and CAS {pauses} with transmission. Think of is this way a car can instantly go 100 MPH but the Stops are longer (9 sec) vs 75 MPH but the stops are shorter (7 sec) both with a 100 stops in a mile. Further, the CPU however says you can run only 85 MPH.

How long does the car take to drive a mile?

For Gaming I typically recommend the G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 CAS 8-8-8-24-2N F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
NewEgg (sold out) -
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-1600MHz-PC3-12800-F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM/dp/B004KY719A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321470169&sr=8-1
TigerDirect - N/A
MicroCenter - N/A

Alternatives:
F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233147

 

[photonboy]

Your RAM won't be a bottleneck anyway. Just get any reasonably priced 1600MHz DDR3 RAM.

I've been happy with my G.Skill.

Check out NCIX, it has a pretty good list of RAM. There's no point in paying extra.

Also, make sure your motherboard BIOS is up to date.

 

[boeckelr]

Has anyone other than Jaquith experienced having 4 sticks of identical ram running at slower than rated speed on an SB Z68 motherboard?

I have run 4 sticks on other platforms (to get 4gb and 8gb) and they always ran at the speed at which they were designed.

Or is this just a peculiarity of cas 9 and slower timing versions of G.Skill Ripjaws and Ripjaws x RAM?

I ask because I am building a new PC - Gigabyte GS-Z68XP-UD3 motherboard, Core i5 2500K, and right now I have 2 x 4gb of G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600...its the version that runs at Cas 9 and has 9-9-9-24-2n timings. Because it is so inexpensive I want to add another 8gb...but Newegg raised the price of it....but they have the equivalent Ripjaws X @ $29.99...and I was all set to buy it until I read what Jaquith had to say. If what Jaquith says is true, I don't want this to cause my RAM to run at DDR 1333 instead of 1600.

Not that I don't believe Jaquith - but I would like to hear from at least another person that this indeed occurs.

Thank you very much for your help.

Mike

 

[jaquith]

I sure in the heck aren't going to post a 'lie', Google it. See -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/295816-30-unstable-asus-p8p67-revolution-2600k same issue, one of many instances.

'Often' is not to be confused with 'Always', so the best 'I' can do is to alert you of a KNOWN issue.

Also, it's not a good idea to 'mix-match' sets, and worst case DDR3-1333 CAS 8 (try 8 if fails CAS 9) vs DDR3-1600 CAS 9 isn't a horrible situation.

See Frequency vs CAS and DDR3-1600 vs DDR3-1333 (various CAS) -> http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/6

- Jaquith

 

[ljgrimm]

Best answer selected by ljgrimm.

 

[hockster]

Hello! Hopefully somebody can help me with this questions. I'm currently running the G.SKILL F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM (total 6GB with three 2GB sticks) with 8-8-8-24-2N timing. I'm looking at adding another 8GB and Newegg still offers the F3-12800CL8D-8GBRM with the following timing, 8-8-8-24. However there is no 2N listed at the end. Is this the same memory or is it different? Also, is there a problem running three 2GB sticks and two 4GB sticks together? Thank you!!