DDR3 1600MHz CAS 7 vs CAS 8

[Kylevdm]

I have been shopping around for memory and was wondering which is recommended? Will there be any noticeable difference? Only difference I see is the lack of XMP (what is that???).

Memory in question:

CAS7

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/6GB-...1600)-240-Pin-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-CAS-7-7-7-20

CAS8

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/6GB-...600)-240-Pin-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-CAS-8-DHX-EPP

 

[VonBlade]

XMP is Xtreme Memory Profiles. Basically the BIOS comes with a few memory clocks and timings built in to select from. Like auto-upgrade CPU things.

CAS7 will be slightly faster at the same speed. And for the small price difference potentially worthwhile.

W3bbo's excellent review here demonstrates that in a normal enviroment pure speed doesn't have that much difference. So tighter timings are the way to go.

Personally I do tons of non-gaming stuff so absolute speed is more beneficial for me. Hence I'm not able to provide a hugely complex and convincing argument one way or the other. I'd go for CAS7 over CAS8 though when there's just a pony in it.

 

[Ghosthud1]

you could always tighten your timings through bios? if you cant then go for the cas 7

 

[Nelly]

I'm just wondering if it makes much difference gaming wise with the P55 chipset.

When I did my own tests with AM3 this is how it fared, only one game mind you, I'll do more extensive testing with P55.

Graphics Card: GTX 295

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition @ 3.6GHz (3.8Ghz = add extra 2 fps)

Ram: OCZ Blade Series 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-16000 Triple Channel (Tested at various timings using 2x2GB) / OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C7 1333MHz Dual Channel (SAME RESULTS)

Crysis 1600mhz 7-7-7-24 = 54.98 fps

Crysis 1333mhz 7-7-7-24 = 54.43 fps

Crysis 1333mhz 6-6-6-24 = 54.87 fps

Crysis 1333mhz 9-9-9-24 = 52.98 fps