I'm curious if there are any drawbacks to choosing RAM with lower latency besides the cost. How does the performance of DDR5-6400 CL32 stack up against DDR5-6600 CL32 considering the latency differences?
3 Answers
If you're using the latest CPUs with their newer memory controllers, there's about a 50% chance the 6600 MHz RAM will actually work for you, while the 6000 MHz is much more reliable at 95%. So, if you're not on the latest tech, go with caution! Another good option is the 6400 MHz, as it tends to work better without needing much manual adjustment.
It really depends on your platform. If you're on AM5, you might have to do more manual tweaks for the 6600 MT/s, while the 6400 MT/s can typically run with simpler changes to get the optimal speed. Just changing the uCLK to 3200 MHz could help you get the most out of it without excessive fine-tuning.
Just a heads-up, CL refers to the latency, not the frequency. So while both types might have the same CL32 rating, the 6600 MT/s actually has lower first-word latency. For instance, the first-word latency for 6400 MT/s CL32 is around 10ns, while for 6600 MT/s CL32, it's about 9.7ns. That means the 6600 version is technically faster in latency!

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