Inconsistent data exists regarding 3900x.
Inconsistent data exists regarding 3900x.
You're encountering conflicting advice about optimal DDR4 speeds for your AMD 3900X. The key points are: DDR4 3200 is often cited as the sweet spot, while some sources suggest 3600 might be better depending on the specific configuration. At those speeds, using CL14 or CL16 timing can affect performance, so it depends on your motherboard and chipset compatibility.
the sweet spot varies, but 3600 performs better than 3200. It's noticeable even if the difference isn't huge. For games needing high FPS and heavy CPU work, it makes a difference. The latency gap between 3200 CL14 and 3600 CL16 is minimal (around 8.7 ns vs 8.8 ns), so 3600 is generally preferable.
Checking the calculation here: https://notkyon.moe/ram-latency.htm. It seems 3600 works well for testing the IF speed. On my 3900x I’m using 16-16-16-iForgot timings, but it might be too costly for a small performance boost.
Thanks for your feedback. The price for CL16 or faster at 3600 clocks can be quite high. It’s unclear how much of an impact it would have in gaming. Do you have any thoughts on what this means practically? I’ve also heard about a Samsung B-die—it might help achieve the claimed speeds. Are there other D-dies that could work? Also, the RAM specs mentioned seem to be for AMD Ryzen processors. Did you think RAM was always CPU-specific? Please let me know if you need more details.
Did you check the videos? They provide precise targets. Frame rates: 3200 is acceptable, 3600 is slightly better but not essential for typical gaming sessions. With 3200 you should aim for 16 frames per second, and 3600 for 19 or 19.19. The recommended range is 16-19-19-x, which is more affordable than 16-16-16-x on Samsung B and dies. It doesn’t matter unless you’re avoiding intense overclocking. Choose based on your speed needs and Ryzen-specific benchmarks—marketing claims are misleading.
I’ve seen a lot of videos lately... My attention is getting distracted. Depending on what you watch, it can highlight different details—some focus on 3200, others on 3600. It moves quickly through everything, giving only a broad sense of what you’re after rather than specifics that might help you decide to buy. In short, I’m not sure if these choices will make a real difference in everyday use. Thanks for the questions. Here are two RAM options I’m considering. Both are expensive.
[Link 1]
[Link 2]
The first set is more affordable but has slower performance.
The second offers better speed but at a higher cost.
Choose the third option. Results will stay within 1% of the other two.