Newb question about memory

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave
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Dave

What is CAS Latency? And what numbers are better? Higher or lower?

I have ZERO interested in overclocking, so if it's a OC thing, then
nevermind. :)
 
BigJim said:
yep only need to know if your going to OC a machine.
Click to expand...

Lower CAS numbers are a bit faster. You probably wouldn't notice much, if
any, real-time difference.

Ed
 
Dave said:
What is CAS Latency? And what numbers are better? Higher or lower?

I have ZERO interested in overclocking, so if it's a OC thing, then
nevermind. :)
Click to expand...

Lower is better, but because the CPU L2 cache handles almost every
memory access, faster CAS won't be noticeable at all. It's a lot more
important for the memory to have no bad bits, and about the only way
to almost guarantee that is by purchasing modules with no heatsinks
but with chips marked with full part numbers (numbers you can Google
and get 20 pages of specifications).
 
Lower is better, but because the CPU L2 cache handles almost every
memory access, faster CAS won't be noticeable at all. It's a lot more
important for the memory to have no bad bits, and about the only way
to almost guarantee that is by purchasing modules with no heatsinks
but with chips marked with full part numbers (numbers you can Google
and get 20 pages of specifications).
Click to expand...

A better plan is to purchase a good name brand (with a good warranty),
with or without heatsink. I actually prefer WITH heatsink, for a
couple of reasons. First, I don't like to use a lot of cooling fans
in a case, and the ones I do use don't move a lot of air. So the
heatsink is a good idea for quieter systems. Also, the heatsink will
keep the chips cooler, regardless of how the rest of the system is
cooled. This will help the chips last longer, decreasing the odds of
problems later. -Dave

Oh, some good brands are OCZ, Mushkin and Kingston, to mention a
few. Never had a problem with those three brands, ever.
 
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