CAS 2.5-6-3-3 vs CAS 2.5-8-4-4

[Ronin13]

For my new build I'm planning on getting the Geil Value Dual Channel PC3200 400MHz DDR RAM, specifically the 1GB kit consisting of 2x515Mb sticks seen here. It has timings of 2.5 8-4-4.

Researching Geil RAM, I came across some individual 512Mb sticks with the same timings, but also some with timings of 2.5-6-3-3, as seen here.

Why is the same product made in two versions?

For my use, the RAM is going to be running dual channel in an ASUS P5GD1 PRO with a P4 540J.

Normally, I'd think that the RAM with the lower timings would be better, but this article indicates that the RAM with the higher timings 'is catered towards the Intel people'.

Why is that?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Ronin13
For my new build I'm planning on getting the Geil Value Dual Channel PC3200 400MHz DDR RAM, specifically the 1GB kit consisting of 2x515Mb sticks seen here. It has timings of 2.5 8-4-4.

Researching Geil RAM, I came across some individual 512Mb sticks with the same timings, but also some with timings of 2.5-6-3-3, as seen here.

Why is the same product made in two versions?

For my use, the RAM is going to be running dual channel in an ASUS P5GD1 PRO with a P4 540J.

Normally, I'd think that the RAM with the lower timings would be better, but this article indicates that the RAM with the higher timings 'is catered towards the Intel people'.

Why is that?

The memory chips vary across different modules. One may use Winbond BH5 and the other might use Samsung TCCD. That's the only reason they would have the same timings. One can support higher voltages.

Edit: not sure what the hell they're talking about. usually I hear it the other way: AMD processors have on-die memory controllers, which have less overhead than Intel CPUs. Thus lower-latency memories are less an improvement on AMD processors then they are on Intel ones.

Lower latency RAM will ALWAYS give you more performance at the same clock speed.

 

[REDtoLINE]

Im trying to sell the ram i bought...i got really good latency memory, but i did not know that latency doesnt affect AMD...they are Corsair XMS TWINXPC3200XLPT 2-2-2-5 2x512MB...i bought them for $250

 

[Ronin13]

When reading these boards it seems that most agree that lower timings does more for Intel than AMD platforms, which goes against the comment in the article I linked to in my first post.

Now, I found another review for the Geil RAM I'm looking at, and it says that 'The continuing disapearance of genuine, low latency memory seems to be picking up pace. Though it matters far more for AMD platforms than it does for Intel, good CAS 2 memory seems to be getting rarer than rocking horse manure.'

Kinda strange, no?

Now, to get back to which RAM I should choose for my new build, I'm guessing that lower timings will always be preferable, especially if they come at the same price, correct?

So since the dual channel kit comes with the higher 2.5 8-4-4 timings and isn't on the QVL for the ASUS P5GD1 mobo I'm planning on using, I would be better off going with 2 sticks of the GE5123200B RAM (with the lower 2.5-6-3-3 timings), which actually is on the QVL, even though it won't be a 'matched pair', right?

(Especially since the price for two seperate sticks is pretty much identical to the price for the 1Gb kit.)

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Ronin13
When reading these boards it seems that most agree that lower timings does more for Intel than AMD platforms, which goes against the comment in the article I linked to in my first post.

Now, I found another review for the Geil RAM I'm looking at, and it says that 'The continuing disapearance of genuine, low latency memory seems to be picking up pace. Though it matters far more for AMD platforms than it does for Intel, good CAS 2 memory seems to be getting rarer than rocking horse manure.'

Kinda strange, no?

Now, to get back to which RAM I should choose for my new build, I'm guessing that lower timings will always be preferable, especially if they come at the same price, correct?

So since the dual channel kit comes with the higher 2.5 8-4-4 timings and isn't on the QVL for the ASUS P5GD1 mobo I'm planning on using, I would be better off going with 2 sticks of the GE5123200B RAM (with the lower 2.5-6-3-3 timings), which actually is on the QVL, even though it won't be a 'matched pair', right?

(Especially since the price for two seperate sticks is pretty much identical to the price for the 1Gb kit.)

that quote is an incoherent sentence. first of all, memory works on both Intel and AMD platforms, unless there's an incompatibility problem. there's no such thing as "Intel platform RAM" or "AMD platform RAM". second of all, there's an abundance of CAS2 memory out there. and third of all, "continuing disappearance?" is he implying there was CAS2 memory and is no longer?

yeah it's still a matched pair. as long as both memory modules are exactly the same. they just put them in kits to offer discounts (sometimes).

 

[ribbon13]

Oh yeah... ram is dissappearing alright. :roll:

If you're planning a new build... what is possessing you to go Intel?

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Oh yeah... ram is dissappearing alright. :roll:

If you're planning a new build... what is possessing you to go Intel?

Yeah, I've also seen that article on Xbit Labs about RAM prices dropping due to high levels of supply. In defense of the article I linked to though, it may be of relevance that it was from April 15th 2004. Wasn't there something about Winbond BH5 chips being in short supply back then?

And to answer your question, I'm building an Intel platform 'cos that's what's the guy I'm doing it for wants.

Back on track, ribbon13 what would your RAM recommendation be in my specific case? Do you agree with the conclusion I came to in the 4th post down?

Thanks for your help!

 

[ribbon13]

Yes... go with the QVL as its faster too.