what is ram timing?

[Mstenger404]

when people are bragging, or complaining about their ram. They usually give out their 4 number combinations. like 7-7-7-20 or 9-9-9-27 whatever those even mean.

what do they mean? and how does changing them make a difference?

[Steve]

ok this is boring stuff and here is the definitions from wiki because that's a lot easier than me trying to remember :


RAM manufacturers typically list the recommended timing for their RAM as a series of four integers separated by dashes (e.g 2-2-2-6 or 3-3-3-9 or 4-4-4-12 and so on). While there are many other settings related to RAM, these four integers refer to the following settings, which are typically listed in this order: CL - TRCD - TRP - TRAS.

CL = CAS Latency time: The time it takes between a command having been sent to the memory and when it begins to reply to it. It is the time it takes between the processor asking for some data from the memory and it returning it.

TRCD = DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: The number of clock cycles performed between activating the Row Access Strobe and the Column Access Strobe. This parameter relates to the time it takes to access stored data.

TRP = DRAM RAS# Precharge: The amount of time between the 'precharge' command and the 'active' command. The 'precharge' command closes memory that was accessed and the 'active' command signifies that a new read/write cycle can begin.

TRAS = Active to Precharge delay: The total time that will elapse between an active state and precharge state. This is the sum of the previous timings: CL + TRCD + TRP.

The BIOS on a PC may allow the user to make adjustments to RAM Timing in an effort to increase speed (with possible risk of decreased stability) or, in some cases, increase stability (by lowering the speed).




ok so the lower the faster, i think the CL has the biggest effect. low CL ram is more expensive. usually when a new speed of ram comes out then the CL value is pretty high until the tech improves.

if the timings are slack (high), then u can usually get a higher overclock / raise the FSB higher. however you sacrifice some performance because the ram is running slower in one respect.

i think (but don't quote me plz) if i remember correctly, Intel systems like tight timings (low) and AMD systems like higher FSB (higher usually).



does that help??

[Mstenger404]

that helped alot, thanks steve

I never knew that, I completely forgot about wikipedia XD