The differences in memory and such

[ethugholla]

I'm a complete idiot when it comes to memory.

Here are a few questions for you guys:

What are CAS latencies, and how do they affect a computer's performance?

I understand the numbers, such as 667 mHz vs. 800 mHz; but I do not understand the performance gains one would get when using either. Is one more over-clockable, or better for over-clocking?

PC-5300 vs. PC6400. What's the difference in the numbers?

Memory timings. What do those numbers mean (i.e. 5-5-5-12 or 4-4-4-12)? Which is better, and why?

DDR3 vs. DDR2. One of my parts, the motherboard, depends on the performance of DDR3. If I buy a motherboard that is DDR3-compatible, is it worth it?

The reason I ask these questions is because I am looking for memory that will be sufficient to overclock my entire machine. These questions would be extremely helpful in knowing which memory I need to run my system at my targeted performance.

Here are my computer parts that I will have after July 22:

CPU - Intel E6750
Graphics - nVidia 8800 GTX 768mb
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3 (DDR3 compatible)
Case - Centurion 5
PSU - Corsair 520HX
HDD - Samsung Spinpoint T-series 500gb
.
.

and others.


What memory would work best for that? I am looking to game and overclock probably heavily. Should I get the 1066 mHz, and why?

 

[Billb2]

No you're not an idiot. There's just some things you don't know...yet.

First off, computer memory contributes about 20% to overall computer performance. So a 50% increace in memory speed will result in about a 10% (50% of 20%) increace in overall performance.

Cas latency: That's a little too complex for an idiot. You'll have to do some reading inorder that you know enough to understand the answer.

CAS is an abbreviation for column address strobe, referring to the column of the physical memory location in an array (comprised of columns and rows) of capacitors used in dynamic random access memory modules. Thus CAS Latency (CL) is the time (in number of clock cycles) that elapses between the memory controller telling the memory module to access a particular column in the current row, and the data from that column being read from the module's output pins....See? You understand the words, but not the concepts?

Lower cas latencies are better.

Mhz refers to the speed of the memory, that's all. C-5300 vs. PC6400 also refer to the speed of the memory, it's just another system for identifying the same speeds.

"Memory timings. What do those numbers mean (i.e. 5-5-5-12 or 4-4-4-12)? Which is better, and why?" Way, way, to complex for you at the present time. You'll have to do alot of reading and testing to understand that. Generally, lower numbers (latencies) are better. And you asking about 4 latency settings, there are 31.

"If I buy a motherboard that is DDR3-compatible, is it worth it?" If I buy an $80K Porsche, is it worth it? Kinda hard to answer when you don't know what I want to do with the car (race it, go to the grocery store, etc.) isn't it?

"Should I get the 1066 mHz, and why?" No. You should do alot of reading first. Usually it's the second or third memory purchase that people get right, so the more you can learn before parting with your cash, the better off you'll be.

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