I have two DDR4 memory sticks rated at 3200MHz with a CAS latency of 16, and I can get my hands on two additional sticks that are 3600MHz with a CAS latency of 18. I know that when mixed, all four sticks will operate at the lower speed of 3200MHz. However, I'm concerned about the latency. I've heard that the mixed setup will run at the higher latency of 18, which could lead to stability issues like blue screens. Should I just get another pair of 3200 CL16 sticks to ensure compatibility?
1 Answer
Actually, both 3200 CL16 and 3600 CL18 have similar timings when you break it down. They both are around 10ns, so technically, you could run the 3600 CL18 at 3200 CL16 if your motherboard allows it. This could give you a more stable performance.
Is it safe to adjust those settings? Can the 3600 CL18 efficiently operate at a latency of 16? I've heard it usually runs at higher latency.