Pentium4 and DDR memory: is CAS latency important?

[Leo V]

I'll soon be running a Northwood 1.6A at 133-140fsb using Asus P4B533, which means memory runs at 4/3 * 133 = 177mhz (355 DDR) and up to 4/3 * 140 = 373 DDR. I have two alternatives:

1) Relatively cheaper Corsair 3000C2 memory, CAS 233 at 370mhz.
2) Top-notch Corsair memory (3200C2) which does CAS 222 all the way--but it costs $20 extra.

My question: is there $20 worth of extra performance between "true" Cas222 and Cas322 on the Pentium4 platform?

 

[CrazySaint]

I'm not sure of the exact performance differences (I bet THUGSROOK could give ya exact numbers ), but I'm gonna take a guess that the 3000C2 could hit 2-2-2 timings @ DDR373.

 

[sean2002]

the P4 is a bandwith hog and has a very low lanency L1 cache, I would spend the extra $20

 

[Duvie]

cas latency is important....check out thugsrook's threads in cpu forum...

While the cas 2 may not show huge numbers in bandwidth it does show up nicely in many programs...

I have the pc3000 model and I can do cas 2 all the way to pc3200 levles anyways...I can even make it at 442mhz cas 2.5....

Does corsiar have pc3200 memory they say is rated cas 2 now??? If so go with it...It should be worth the 20 and may go further then the average pc3000 chip in ocing...If not then the pc3200 is likley cas 2.5 and most agree it seems to be the same as the pc3000 chip.

 

[Leo V]

Thanks guys, I will go with Corsair's new 3200C2 memory. I am not keen on "overclocking" the 3000C2 because memory has bizarre ways of misbehaving that drove me nuts in the past! I'll spend $20 extra and keep my sanity Besides, it's still about $75 cheaper than getting P4T533 + Rambus4200.