CAS Latency 8 vs 9 for 2500k

[Rekonn]

I'm planning a new system around a Sandy Bridge 2500k and am deciding what kind of ram to get. I think I've settled on an 8gb (2x4) pair of G.Skill Ripjaw X 1.5v DDR3 1600 ram. There's two models to pick from, one with CAS latency of 8, and the other 9. How much faster would the lower latency one be vs the other? Do you think the difference is worth the extra $40, or would it wind up being like .2 extra fps in games? I am planning to overclock some with a megahalems or something similar.

 

[Zap]

$40? No. Faster? Maybe measurable with benchmarks but you probably won't notice at all in gaming.

 

[Rekonn]

Ok, how about DDR3 1333 vs 1600? I am seeing a CAS 7 1333 and a CAS 9 1600 on newegg, both for $110 - which would be better?

 

[poohbear]

Anandtech did an article on this exact topic. Its here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2792

Basicly, very minimal difference not worth the cost.

 

[Dangerer]

Ok, how about DDR3 1333 vs 1600? I am seeing a CAS 7 1333 and a CAS 9 1600 on newegg, both for $110 - which would be better?

Same manufacturer? The IC could be identical in both if that's the case.

If you buy the 1333 at CAS 7, you could raise the values to 9 and overclock the memory to 1600mhz. If you went with the 1600 at CAS 9, you could lower the value to 7 and the frequency to 1333.

 

[StriperMike]

Ok, how about DDR3 1333 vs 1600? I am seeing a CAS 7 1333 and a CAS 9 1600 on newegg, both for $110 - which would be better?

Here you go. DDR3-1600.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1

 

[Rekonn]

Thanks StriperMike, great article! I agree, minimal difference, but DDR3 is best way to go if price is same. That article is also making me think twice about getting 8GB vs 4GB. Looks like there's no benefit to gaming in going over 4GB.

 

[StriperMike]

I personally went with 8gb because I use my PC for more than gaming and the 8gb comes in handy. Because you never know what you will use the PC for down the road.