Ryzen CPU RAM: Higher Speed or Lower Latency?

[Kanoe]

Hi All

I'm looking at helping my wife put together a computer upgrade from the following:

- Asus Crosshair V Formula 990FX motherboard
- 24GB DDR3 RAM
- AMD 8120 CPU

Budget is a consideration so looking at a Ryzen 1700 CPU at the moment.

The main question is within a set budget for RAM is it better for Ryzen to go for faster but higher latency RAM or maybe a speed step down but get a lot tighter timings?

I know the infinity fabric introduces memory sub system latency (as reflected in the great CPU reviews that Hexus has done) but I don't know how to best minimise the effect.

Thanks

Kanoe

[Hoonigan]

You want to try and mix the two as best as possible but a good 3000MHz/3200MHz kit with 14-14-14-35 to 15-15-15-38 kinda timings will do you very well, but honestly, unless you want your Cinebench score to be 1734 instead of 1728, there's really not much in it at all. Certainly not enough that you'd feel the difference outside of synthetic benchmarks.

[Kanoe]

Well there is a CAS 15 2666 kit and and CAS 19 3000 kit in budget at about the same cost. I know it might only be a small difference in benchmarks but i do like to try and get the best possible performance for the money.

[Hoonigan]

What is your budget please? And what capacity is your goal? 16GB? I'll see what I can find for you.

Are you in the UK, yeah?

[Kanoe]

Budget is £90 and looking for 16GB in 2x8 formation. Would prefer big brand with heat-spreader if possible.

[hb904460]

Corsair kit on Amazon for £84. 3000mhz cas 16

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B2Y1N...=geizhals07-21

[Hoonigan]

I can't find anything at all more recommended than what hb904460 has posted. It has excellent compatibility with the AMD Chipsets and is incredible value. Don't expect much overclocking from it though.

[Kanoe]

Yeah, I was heading towards some Vengeance LPX just wondered about the speed vs latency.

Many thanks to all.

[Kumagoro]

The thing to remember is that as you clock faster the wavelength goes down. Therefore 19 clock cycles at 3GHz could be shorter time wise than 15 cycles at 2.6GHz.

I remember discussing the same thing around 10 plus years ago and calculated that the faster ram with looser timings was better. But that was then for ddr or ddr2 and three frequencies stuff back them and I can't remember how to calculate it now off the top of my head.

[Froger007]

Best option would be 3600mhz at C16. This setup is within your budget and works nicely with AMD infinity fabric.

[Stu C]

I'm hoping that he has bought something since March 2019!

For anyone else with the same question, Crucial is the best option in my opinion... one of the models on this page, pick your speed:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-Bal.../dp/B083TSFGBP

[geko95gek]

Crucial Ballistix is pretty much some of the best RAM you can get. My 3200Mhz easily overclocks to 3600Mhz!

[danq]

Crucial Ballistix is good 3600Mhz at 16CL. However, I'd probably go for G.Skill Trident Z/Neo whatever you can find. Solid RAM with great overclocking... I think you can probably find a 3600Mhz kit at 17CL and tighten the timings? G.Skill has some of the best RAM in the game and the Neo is optimised for Ryzen.