• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

RAM: Latency vs Speed???

Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
66 (0.01/day)
RAM: Latency vs Speed???

Hi guys, just confused in selecting right ram for my rig. With my budget I can only choose one thing. Either better latency or better speed. Can’t afford both. No plan of OCing ram at thus stage

So here are the choices:

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1333. Cas Latency: 7. Timing: 7-7-7-20. Voltage: 1.5v Model:TR3X6G1333C7 G

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600. Cas Latency: 8. Timing: 8-8-8-24. Voltage: 1.65v Model:TR3X6G1600C8 G

I do HD video editing. NO GAMING AT ALL. Which one will perform better. Any feedback will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

System Configuration:
Processor: i7 920 (OCed 3.8Ghz)
Mobo: Asus P6T
GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 4670
PSU: Corsair 520w Modular HX520
 
Last edited:

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,024 (1.90/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
How about better latency and then oc the speed? If you dont game, then both of them is pretty the same, my vote goes to better speed.
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Not sure you'd notice the difference actually..
The other thing is, those Corsair's happily run at lower latencies with increased voltages. As in your example, running the 1600 modules @ 1.8v should allow you to run them at 7-7-7-20 anyways ;)
 
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
66 (0.01/day)
Not sure you'd notice the difference actually..
The other thing is, those Corsair's happily run at lower latencies with increased voltages. As in your example, running the 1600 modules @ 1.8v should allow you to run them at 7-7-7-20 anyways ;)

I have read somewhere that voltage should not be more than 1.65. otherwise i may burn the things
 
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
2,863 (0.49/day)
Location
Brasil
System Name Sovereign // HTPC
Processor i7 3770k 4.2 // i7 3770k 4.2
Motherboard Maximus V Gene // Sabertooth Z77
Cooling Noctua D14 // Intel HSF
Memory 16GB Samsung // 16GB VengeanceLP
Video Card(s) Deciding // 660 DC2
Storage OS (X25-M), Data (Seagate 1TB) // Samsung 840 120GB & bunch of drives
Display(s) Samsung T240HD // LG TV
Case TJ08e // Grandia GD08
Audio Device(s) DT880 Pro 250 ohm // TV speakers
Power Supply Seasonic Plat 1000 // Seasonic Gold 760
Software Windows 8 Pro x64 // Windows 7 Pro x64
RAM: Latency vs Speed???

Hi guys, just confused in selecting right ram for my rig. With my budget I can only choose one thing. Either better latency or better speed. Can’t afford both.

So here are the choices:

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1333. Cas Latency: 7. Timing: 7-7-7-20. Voltage: 1.5v Model:TR3X6G1333C7 G

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600. Cas Latency: 8. Timing: 8-8-8-24. Voltage: 1.65v Model:TR3X6G1600C8 G

I do HD video editing. NO GAMING AT ALL. Which one will perform better. Any feedback will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

System Configuration:
Processor: i7 920 (OCed 3.8Ghz)
Mobo: Asus P6T
GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 4670
PSU: Corsair 520w Modular HX520

OMG OMG OMG

:p
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
It does obviously depend on the specific models. That said, however, Corsair is one of those companies that test their RAM at higher voltages than the release models - ensures durability & quality control is second to none (well, kind of).
:p
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
2,644 (0.47/day)
Location
...
System Name MRCOMP!
Processor 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair 280 AIO
Memory 64GB 3600mhz
Video Card(s) GTX3060
Storage 1TB SSD
Display(s) Samsung Neo
Case No Case... just sitting on cardboard :D
Power Supply Antec 650w
Best not to go over 1.65 with an I7,

You should grab the 1333mhz 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v

Up the volts to 1.65 and see if they can run at 1600mhz 7-7-7-20
 

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg
Higher speed even with the higher latency is faster.
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Best not to go over 1.65 with an I7,

You should grab the 1333mhz 7-7-7-20 @ 1.5v

Up the volts to 1.65 and see if they can run at 1600mhz 7-7-7-20

Agreed. The lower the voltage you can get the RAM stable at with lower latency, the better it is of course.
I merely mentioned the fact that Corsair is not afraid of higher voltages ;)
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
2,644 (0.47/day)
Location
...
System Name MRCOMP!
Processor 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair 280 AIO
Memory 64GB 3600mhz
Video Card(s) GTX3060
Storage 1TB SSD
Display(s) Samsung Neo
Case No Case... just sitting on cardboard :D
Power Supply Antec 650w
Higher speed even with the higher latency is faster.

Pritty sure id take that with a grain or 2 of salt...




lower ram timing's with lower speed is faster in WINRAR.
 

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
2,644 (0.47/day)
Location
...
System Name MRCOMP!
Processor 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair 280 AIO
Memory 64GB 3600mhz
Video Card(s) GTX3060
Storage 1TB SSD
Display(s) Samsung Neo
Case No Case... just sitting on cardboard :D
Power Supply Antec 650w
the problem is not if the ram can take the voltage but the CPU.

it is stated by intel that anything over 1.65 can damage the cpu .. IIRC
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
2,644 (0.47/day)
Location
...
System Name MRCOMP!
Processor 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair 280 AIO
Memory 64GB 3600mhz
Video Card(s) GTX3060
Storage 1TB SSD
Display(s) Samsung Neo
Case No Case... just sitting on cardboard :D
Power Supply Antec 650w

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Interesting article.
What interests me there is the latency you got. Clearly the lower latency RAM should have scored lower, but didn't. That indicates an issue with either that particular RAM, or the way the mobo/CPU handles it.
There's no way on this green earth that 7-7-7-20 would have a greater latency than 9-9-9-24 timings.
Throughput changes with the increase of RAM speed, but access speed is critical in other areas.
Convince yourself with wPrime.
Keep the speed the same, but lower the latency and see just how much that's affected by the change..

EDIT:
I have two older results
Latency 9-9-9-24 (1333MHz):

Latency 7-7-7-20 (1333MHz):
 
Last edited:

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg
where is the WINRAR benchmark? i couldnt find it.

Damn never noticed it was missing.

Interesting article.
What interests me there is the latency you got. Clearly the lower latency RAM should have scored lower, but didn't. That indicates an issue with either that particular RAM, or the way the mobo/CPU handles it.
There's no way on this green earth that 7-7-7-20 would have a greater latency than 9-9-9-24 timings.
Throughput changes with the increase of RAM speed, but access speed is critical in other areas.
Convince yourself with wPrime.
Keep the speed the same, but lower the latency and see just how much that's affected by the change..

EDIT:
I have two older results
Latency 9-9-9-24 (1333MHz):
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7706/wprime3913.jpg
Latency 7-7-7-20 (1333MHz):
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4639/wprime3913reducedlatenc.jpg

Actually that's how it works the faster speed actually reduces latency, despite higher timings.
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Right.
So my old DDR1 RAM @ 400MHz had a latency of 42ms with 2-2-2-5 timings, whereas my 1333MHz DDR3 RAM has a latency of 52.7ms # 9-9-9-24 timings, but the DDR3 has reduced latency nonetheless?
How does that work?
Latency dictates access speed. MHz dictates throughput per clock cycle.
Increased speed by no means decreases latency..
 

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg
Right.
So my old DDR1 RAM @ 400MHz had a latency of 42ms with 2-2-2-5 timings, whereas my 1333MHz DDR3 RAM has a latency of 52.7ms # 9-9-9-24 timings, but the DDR3 has reduced latency nonetheless?
How does that work?
Latency dictates access speed. MHz dictates throughput per clock cycle.
Increased speed by no means decreases latency..

Increased speed does = less latency. That's what all the test's show. If you stick your ram at 1600mhz 8-8-8-24 against your 1333mhz at CL7 the latency will be lower for the 1600mhz. I've ran those test alot of times and I always get the same results even on diffent computers.

Why have you got your 1333mhz ram at CL9 ? That's rediculously high for that speed. I run CL9 for 1866mhz. Explains your high latency.
 
Last edited:

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Everest's Latency Test - Basic results included in the program:

Notice a trend?
One thing to consider also is the command rate. Obviously, CR1 is better than CR2 ;)
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Why have you got your 1333mhz ram at CL9 ? That's rediculously high for that speed. I run CL9 for 1866mhz. Explains your high latency.

That's the default latency of this RAM.. Sucks, I know, that's why I decreased it :p
 

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg
Okay here's my results


If I go to 1833mhz and oc my cpu I can get the top spot on this chart.
 

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Hmm.. Why are you running CR2?
No wonder your latencies can be relaxed so much :toast:
 

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
7,482 (1.26/day)
Location
Scotland (It rains alot)
System Name Rusky
Processor Intel Core i7 D0 3.8Ghz
Motherboard Asus P6T
Cooling Thermaltake Dark Knight
Memory 12GB Patriot Viper's 1866mhz 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) GTX470 1280MB
Storage OCZ Summit 60GB + Samsung 1TB + Samsung 2TB
Display(s) Sharp Aquos L32X20E 1920 x 1080
Case Silverstone Raven RV01
Power Supply Corsair 650 Watt
Software Windows 7 x64
Benchmark Scores 3DMark06 - 18064 http://img.techpowerup.org/090720/Capture002.jpg

jjFarking

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
456 (0.09/day)
Location
Brisbane, Australia
System Name Frankenstein C3
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965BE C3
Motherboard Asus M4A79T DeLuxe
Cooling Aywun A1-V10
Memory Corsair XMS3 DDR3 (2x2GB @ 1333MHz)
Video Card(s) XFX HD 5850 @ 775/1125
Storage Seagate 250gb/500gb/1tb
Display(s) BENQ E2200HD
Case Thermaltake Element S (VK60001W2Z)
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Elite Pro
Power Supply Zalman ZM600-HP
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Is there a chance you can OC your RAM only & see what the latency difference is?
Increased CPU speed will affect the latency somewhat as well, so to test the theory, only the RAM should run faster..
:toast:
 
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
66 (0.01/day)
Is there a chance you can OC your RAM only & see what the latency difference is?
Increased CPU speed will affect the latency somewhat as well, so to test the theory, only the RAM should run faster..
:toast:

I dont wanna touch ram at this stage.
 
Top