RAM, often termed as memory, is one thing you don’t notice until something goes wrong.
For example, did you ever experience an ‘Out Of Memory’ error message? Or maybe you’ve encountered situations where your PC slows down due to low memory?
It’s safe to say that every computer user faces issues related to memory at some point in time. You’ll want to ensure you have enough memory to run your applications smoothly and efficiently.
It is frequently thought of as a computer’s most important component. If you are a gamer, this sentence rings especially true.
RAM, i.e., Random Access Memory, is a phrase we regularly hear in the gaming world.
RAM is a temporary memory that houses all the computer’s running programs. The RAM significantly impacts both the speed and overall efficiency of computers.
As a result, we can see how important it is to choose the correct RAM for your PC to achieve the best results. However, how can we tell a decent RAM from superb RAM?
This article gives insight into the difference between CL18 and CL16 and why you should go for CL16.
Understanding the basics behind CL
“CL” stands for “CAS Latency.” Column Access Strobe Latency is referred to as CAS Latency.
It describes how your RAM can generate data in response to commands from your CPU. Let’s talk about it in greater depth.
CAS Latency is the number of clock cycles your RAM needs to complete a CPU request.
The RAM indicates the time lag in clock cycle periods when it tries to get information from the computer’s memory column.
The time in asynchronous DRAM is expressed in nanoseconds. Additionally, clock cycles are employed as the measuring standard in synchronous DRAM.
Differentiating 2 RAMs- CL16 and CL18
Which RAM offers more speed?
RAM speed is a challenging subject. Although you would believe that RAM speed is solely influenced by clock speed, there are really numerous more factors at play.
The primary and the most frequently discussed feature of RAM speed is the transmission rate of the data.
This is the amount of information that a RAM and its CPU can transmit and receive at once. However, you must simultaneously look at your RAM’s clock speed and CAS latency to get a genuine sense of how quick it is.
For 3200 MHz RAM, a CL range of 14–16 is normal, but for 3600 MHz RAM, a CL range of 15–19 is usual.
The former has a broader range than the latter, which lags. This means that a CL14 3200 MHz RAM will operate better than a CL18 3600 MHz RAM despite having a faster memory speed.
Thus, maintain your CAS latency as low as possible if you wish to make the most of your machine.
Which RAM has higher latency?
RAM latency, a function of RAM speed, is the time it requires for the memory to finish a clock cycle.
Performance is faster because RAM latency is reduced due to faster RAM speeds. Because it’s rather complicated, we won’t get into it in detail, but while examining RAM specifications, you’ll see numbers organized like 6-8-8-22.
These four numbers show how long the RAM takes to complete different tasks. Overall, the RAM runs quicker, the lower these numbers are.
CL16 will execute significantly more quickly than a CL18. The latency of CL16 and CL18 is comparable, with CL18 being a little slower.
A CL16 RAM may process data more quickly than a CL18 RAM since it does so in two fewer cycles.
The distinction between CL16 and CL18 would be less evident than if they were evaluated at 3200 MHz RAM due to the wider gap.
Which RAM offers powerful performance?
Ryzen CPUs have historically been more sensitive to RAM speed than their Intel Core counterparts.
Memory speeds on these CPUs often run more quickly. Nevertheless, a Ryzen-based processor may not perform well overall in terms of RAM.
AMD Ryzen CPU chips and CPU cores and has different clock time profiles. The infinite fabric core system is what is used for this.
This system features a dedicated clock cycle called FCLK that is normally restricted to clock speeds between 1800 and 2000 MHz.
The best performance for this FCLK is achieved whenever the memory rate is two times the clock cycle.
Therefore, if your CPU is a Ryzen model, you can essentially overlook clock speed and concentrate on a lower CL.
We advise deciding on the CL16 rather than the CL18. Going with the CL18 won’t be a terrible choice, though, provided you don’t mind the slight 1 percent performance disparity that affects gaming.
Processors from Intel
The situation with Intel CPUs is contrary to what we observed with AMD processors. When the memory clock time in Intel CPUs is so closely synchronized, things don’t happen.
There isn’t a precise clock that syncs with the memory clock in an Intel CPU. You can make the most of your processor by having quicker RAM.
Using a 3600 MHz CL18 and changing it to CL16 will work much better on PCs with Intel processors.
On the other hand, a 3200 MHz RAM with CL16 can run at its peak levels, but the latency delay is barely perceptible unless you require an extreme degree of smooth gameplay.
In light of this, the CL18 with the higher frequency speed is the better choice when choosing between CL16 and CL18 for gaming.
The Bottom Line
The CL16 and CL18 are both excellent alternatives since higher memory speed enables them to operate at their peak performance.
The fundamental distinction is between the systems upon which the kit is mounted and seamless gameplay.
Regardless of the actual memory speed, a CL16 will be superior to a CL18 in practically every metric.
Only if you’re running an Intel CPU will a CL18 outperform a CL16, but even then, you’ll need more RAM to have it perform as well as the CL16.
