I'm looking to upgrade the RAM in my Acer Nitro 5 with an i7-9750H processor. Currently, I have 8GB of 2666MHz RAM, but I want to replace it with a dual-channel setup using two 8GB 3200MHz RAM sticks. A friend suggested I go for CL18 RAM, but I'm only finding CL22 options available on Amazon. Should I go ahead and get the CL22 sticks? Also, what's the real difference in performance between CL22 and CL18?
2 Answers
If you're only finding CL22, it's a decent choice since it will work right out of the box. The actual performance difference between CL22 and CL18 can be minor in everyday use, but if you do any intensive tasks, the lower latency of CL18 might help a bit. Just make sure to check compatibility with your laptop's specs.
The 3200 CL22 is actually the standard JEDEC spec, so your RAM will run at that speed by default. On the other hand, 3200 CL18 typically runs slower, usually around 2133-2666MHz, unless you enable XMP settings in your BIOS. However, many Acer laptops may not support XMP, so that could be an issue. I'd suggest checking your laptop's support documentation or BIOS settings to see if XMP is an option for you.
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