Noob RAM questions...

[StarSolitude]

- What are timings all about? I see CL7 and CL9 mentioned a lot, which is fastest?

- Basically what are you looking for when you buy RAM? All I know is that DDR3 is the fastest. I also know about Dual Channel and Tri Channel.


I'm having trouble deciding on which RAM to get for this motherboard (MSI P55-GD65)... it says this about memory:

- Memory: 4x DDR3 DIMM 2133(OC) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz (Max. 16GB) / Dual Channel / Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

the choices of RAM are;

G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz
vs
Geil Ultra Series 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-17000 2133MHz

Now, I think the Geil RAM wins, because it's 2133MHz, and the GD65 motherboard says it supports 2133- but you must overclock for it. I will attempt to overclock.

Or am I wrong, is the G.Skill better?

 

[daelo]

The timings are denoted by the CL number, G skill ram has 7-7-7-24 and the geil has 9-9-9-28. I would prefer to go with the ram with the lowest timings whilst still retaining good mhz speed.

I see that motherboard is for the p55 platform, and your probably going for a core i5 im thinking? Would need someone else to clarify whether or not this ram would overclock for a core i5 or i7 860 up to the standard sort of 4ghz, if thats what your looking for anways.