I'm trying to decide between two RAM options: one with CL36 at 6000MHz costing $79.99 and another with CL30 at 6000MHz for $92.99. Does the CAS latency (CL) really make a difference for gaming performance, and which one should I pick?
5 Answers
Yes, it can have a big impact, depending on what games you’re running. Check out benchmarks to see how those RAM types perform with the games you play.
Yes, CL does matter, but its impact varies. For DDR4, lowering from CL18 to CL14 makes a noticeable difference (about 23% in latency), whereas going from CL36 to CL30 is around 17%. The difference in latency feels less significant with those numbers. Right now, a standard setup would be 6000MHz with CL32.
C'mon, it’s $13 extra! Just go for the faster RAM without overthinking it.
Not everyone can throw around dollars like that. When currency is tight, every bit matters!
Honestly, it depends on how much $13 means to you. CL36 isn't bad; it won't ruin your gaming experience. But for that small price difference, I’d go for the lower latency. It can help a bit with performance, especially in tight spots.
Wait, you're saying lower MHz is better? I thought faster RAM meant higher MHz, like moving from 4600 to 5600? Am I missing something?
I once went with a 6000 CL40 RAM bundle and learned my lesson the hard way! Now it's just a slow memory stick for my grandma's PC.
To put it simply, CL reflects how many cycles RAM takes to complete a task. So, higher CL means a longer wait time. For instance, 6000CL30 has 10ns latency, while 6000CL36 has 12ns. Faster RAM tends to improve smoothness in games, especially those that are RAM-heavy.
Exactly, CL30 is quite affordable these days!