I'm currently using 16GB of RAM (two 8GB sticks) with a CAS latency (CL) of 22 and a speed of 3200 MHz. I'm looking to add two more sticks and found options for 3200 MHz, with one being CL16 and the other CL22. Considering I also game and stream, I'm wondering if the difference in latency would impact performance significantly. I have a 6600 XT graphics card (planning to upgrade to a 7800 XT soon) and a Ryzen 5600 processor.
3 Answers
Avoid mixing RAM that has different specifications for voltage, speed, latency, and secondary timings. It's generally safe to mix RAM from different brands if their specs are identical, but be cautious with different specs. By the way, upgrading from CL22 3200MHz 16GB to CL16 3600MHz 32GB would likely offer a noticeable performance boost, even if they're both DDR4.
Quick note: I'm curious why you mentioned CL14 in your title but are discussing CL16 and CL22. What's the correct latency? Additionally, it's important to assess why you feel the need for more RAM. If you're gaming and streaming alongside other applications, adding more RAM could help, especially if you're running near 100% usage. Just remember that all RAM will operate at the speed and latency of the slowest stick.
Mixing different RAM kits can be tricky. Although your CL22 sticks might work fine alongside CL16 sticks if you set them to the same timings, it's generally best to avoid mixing kits entirely. You might want to sell your current RAM and invest in a 2x16GB kit with a speed between 3200 and 3600 MHz and CL16 for better performance and stability. Two sticks are usually preferable over four for improved system reliability.
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