Go Back   PCMech Forums > Hardware > Processors, RAM, Motherboards, and Overclocking

Processors, RAM, Motherboards, and Overclocking For questions regarding Central Processing Units, Motherboards , Memory or Mainboards, and the black art of overclocking your system to gain more performance without upgrading.

Recommended: Click Here to Run a Free Scan for PC errors

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 11-07-2009, 01:02 AM   #1
AN5
Member (3 bit)
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
DDR3 voltage and timings specs question

This for AMD Phenom x4 955 with AM3 motherboard (Asus)

The memory I am interested in is DDR3-1333, 4GB (2x2GB). I see that memory is available with different CAS numbers 7, 8, 9 and different voltage numbers: 1.5V, 1.6V, 1.65V, 1.7V, 1.8V.

Is there any difference if I am not overclocking?

What voltage is a better spec?

Is there any benefit to getting 7ns CAS vs 9ns CAS?

I am leaning towards this one G Skill but I want to understand if cheaper memory with slower CAS will work the same.

Also, why do companies have separate products for the PC3-10600 vs PC3-10660 vs PC3-10666? Is there really any difference?

Asus does not seem to have a QVL list for memory. Is that correct?
AN5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2009, 02:30 AM   #2
Masaki 7-11
Member (12 bit)
 
Masaki 7-11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,110
Quote:
Originally Posted by AN5 View Post
This for AMD Phenom x4 955 with AM3 motherboard (Asus)

The memory I am interested in is DDR3-1333, 4GB (2x2GB). I see that memory is available with different CAS numbers 7, 8, 9 and different voltage numbers: 1.5V, 1.6V, 1.65V, 1.7V, 1.8V.

Is there any difference if I am not overclocking?

What voltage is a better spec?

Is there any benefit to getting 7ns CAS vs 9ns CAS?

I am leaning towards this one G Skill but I want to understand if cheaper memory with slower CAS will work the same.

Also, why do companies have separate products for the PC3-10600 vs PC3-10660 vs PC3-10666? Is there really any difference?

Asus does not seem to have a QVL list for memory. Is that correct?
The difference in performance between CAS latencies is usually pretty low, so any latency works as long as it's compatible with your motherboard. Asus does have a QVL for memory, you can find it under their product specs page for the motherboard; from there you will have to download the file, unzip it and open with some type of PDF reader.

If you are not overclocking, it's usually best to get lower voltage ram, latency will have some determination on performance, but not very much, so getting a higher latency ram will not have a large impact on performance versus getting a low latency ram.
__________________
Main Rig: Core 2 Quad Q9550 (Undervolted) | Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme w/ Scythe S-FLEX 120mm Med. Flow & AS5 | 2 x 2GB Mushkin HP2 PC2-6400 | Visiontek 512MB HD4870 | MSI P45 Platinum (GreenPower Enabled) | 2 x WD 640GB AAKS (Raid 0) in Thermaltake iCage | LG 22X DVD+/-RW | X-Fi XtremeAudio | D-Link DWA-552 | Corsair TX 750W | Coolermaster Cosmos 1000 | Windows 7 | LG Flatron L246WH-BN
Masaki 7-11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
ddr3

Follow PCMech
Subscribe

Free Weekly Newsletter. Sign up and receive our free report: 20 Tips For Becoming a Technology Power User.

NAME:
EMAIL:

Latest Posts
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:58 PM.