Does RAM Speed Matter?

A quicker RAM is normally higher in comparison with one with a decrease pace. However, there are conditions the place putting in a slower RAM makes more sense.

It all relies on consumer necessities. On an intensive workload system or gaming PCs, high-frequency RAM is advisable. However, for informal utilization, you don’t really want it.

Another factor to remember is its latency. If you wish to enhance system efficiency, contemplate getting a decrease latency RAM.

Now, let’s have a look at some points the place RAM pace issues and the place it doesn’t.

Times When RAM Speed Absolutely Matters

The next RAM pace means the CPU can work way more effectively. The processor doesn’t have to attend on RAM to fetch information and might execute directions on information a lot quicker.

Here are a couple of situations the place this explicit motion is useful.

Server and Workstation System

High-speed RAM is critical for servers/database computer systems the place the central system interacts with quite a few customers.

In such a situation, the processor consistently accesses information saved and makes them out there to a number of customers.

Real-Time Data Processing

A high-speed RAM together with a decrease CAS latency is advisable when dealing with real-world constraints.

A system that processes information in real-time is included on this class. This may very well be methods like site visitors monitoring, gesture recognition, and many others.

Here, even somewhat pace increase would imply a major enchancment. A RAM with greater pace means somewhat delay and a quicker system.

Intensive Gaming

If you might be an avid gamer, you most likely need essentially the most out of your system to enhance these body charges.

Faster RAM means greater body charges as info is transferred a lot faster. However, the quantity of FPS achieve (or drop) relies on the sport.

Recently, after I upgraded my reminiscence from 2600 MT/s to 3600MT/s, I skilled a couple of 15-20 FPS increase in 0.1% lows in some video games.

Increasing RAM dimension and pace primarily will increase your 1% and 0.1% lows. Therefore, most recreation feels easy and responsive even when the common FPS stays the identical.

How RAM Speed Affects CPU Performance

To learn the way a lot variable RAM pace impacts CPU efficiency, I carried out a easy GeekBench take a look at on my work PC with a Ryzen 7 5700G and 8GB RAM.

I ran the take a look at at two speeds, 1300 MT/s and 2933 MT/s on the similar CAS Latency of 18, and reminiscence timing was left untouched.

As you possibly can see from the small take a look at above, quicker RAM pace improves your CPU efficiency. But whether or not you want it comes all the way down to your workload. 

When RAM Speed Doesn’t Matter Much

You will discover loads of situations the place you possibly can set up RAM with first rate pace and nonetheless use the PC effectively. Here are a couple of of them.

For Casual Usage

Productivity purposes and informal web shopping received’t require loopy quick RAM. You can effectively work and run software program on a system operating a 2400/2666 MT/s RAM.

You may even do some gentle to average gaming and get first rate FPS.

For Budget Build

The value distinction in a DDR4 2666 MT/s and 4400 MT/s is incomparable. It is best to decide on RAM with a decrease pace if you’re on a price range.

Getting quicker RAM received’t all the time end in a efficiency enhance.

You will discover that the higher-speed RAM is far costlier in comparison with a slower one with comparable capability. This is the place you possibly can lower prices and allocate more price range to the CPU or the GPU.

For Incompatible System

Only motherboards and CPUs that assist XMP run your RAM at its marketed pace. Otherwise, it will likely be restricted to the slowest element.

A Few Things to Consider Before Going for High-Speed RAM

The next-speed RAM doesn’t all the time assure a quicker system. You additionally have to keep RAM’s latency/delay under consideration. 

Unlike RAM pace, the place a better quantity is healthier, a decrease is healthier within the case of CAS Latency. But as RAM pace will increase, CAS Latency additionally will increase. 

So, you might want to discover a candy frequency-latency spot.

For most efficiency, keep within the vary of 3200-3600MT/s with 16-18 CAS Latency for DDR4.

For DDR5, keep within the 5600-6000 MT/s vary with 30-40 CAS Latency. 

You can go greater, however greater RAM speeds could have a diminishing price-to-performance ratio.