Afaster RAM is usually bettercompared to one with a lower speed. However, there are situationswhere installing a slower RAM makes more sense. It all depends on user requirements.
On an intensive workload system or gaming PCs, high-frequency RAM is recommended. However,for casual usage, you don’t really need it.
Another thing to keep in mind isits latency. If you want to improve system performance, consider getting a lower latency RAM.
Now, let’s look at some aspects whereRAM speedmatters and where it does not.
Times When RAM Speed Absolutely Matters
Ahigher RAM speedmeans the CPU can work much more efficiently. The processor does not have to wait on RAM to fetch data and can execute instructions on data much faster.
Server and Workstation System
High-speed RAM is necessary for servers/database computers where thecentral systeminteracts withnumerous users.
In such a scenario, the processor constantly accesses data stored and makes them available to multiple users.
Real-Time Data Processing
A high-speed RAM along with alower CAS latencyis recommended when handling real-world constraints.
A system that processes data in real-time is included in this category. This could be systems liketraffic monitoring,gesture recognition, etc.
Here, even a little speed boost would mean a significant improvement. A RAM with higher speed means a little delay and a faster system.
Intensive Gaming
If you are an avid gamer, you probably want the most out of your system to improve those frame rates.
Faster RAM means higher frame ratesas information is transferred much quicker. However, theamount of FPS gain(or drop)depends on the game.
Recently, after I upgraded my memory from 2600 MT/s to 3600MT/s, I experienced about a 15-20 FPS boost in 0.1% lows in some games.
Increasing RAM size and speed primarilyincreases your 1% and 0.1% lows. Therefore, most game feels smooth and responsive even if the average FPS stays the same.
How RAM Speed Affects CPU Performance
To find out how much variable RAM speed affects CPU performance,Iperformed a simple GeekBench test on my work PC with a Ryzen 7 5700G and 8GB RAM.
I ran the test at two speeds, 1300 MT/s and 2933 MT/s at the same CAS Latency of 18, and memory timing was left untouched.
As you may see from the small test above, fasterRAM speed improves your CPU performance. But whether you needit comes down to your workload.
When RAM Speed Doesn’t Matter Much
You will find plenty of scenarios where you caninstall RAMwith decent speed and still use the PC efficiently. Here are a few of them.
For Casual Usage
Productivity applications and casual internet browsingwon’t require crazy fast RAM. you may efficiently work and run software on a system running a 2400/2666 MT/s RAM.
You can even do some light to moderate gaming andget decent FPS.
For Budget Build
The price difference in a DDR4 2666 MT/s and 4400 MT/s is incomparable. It is best tochoose RAMwith a lower speed if you areon a budget.
Gettingfaster RAM won’t always result in aperformance increase.
You will find that the higher-speed RAM is much costlier compared to a slower one with similar capacity. This is where you may cut costs and allocate more budget to the CPU or the GPU.
For Incompatible System
Onlymotherboards and CPUs that support XMPrun your RAM at its advertised speed. Otherwise, it will be limited to the slowest component.
A Few Things to Consider Before Going for High-Speed RAM
A higher-speed RAM does not always guarantee afaster system. You also need to keepRAM’s latency/delay into account.
Unlike RAM speed, where a higher number is better,a lower is better in the case of CAS Latency.But as RAM speed increases, CAS Latency also increases.
For maximum performance, stay in the range of3200-3600MT/swith16-18 CAS Latencyfor DDR4.
For DDR5,stay in the5600-6000 MT/srange with30-40 CAS Latency.
you may go higher, but higher RAM speeds will have a diminishing price-to-performance ratio.
