No, CL18 does not represent a significant performance drop compared to CL16.
No, CL18 does not represent a significant performance drop compared to CL16.
I compare the options on my R7 5800x. I’m weighing 16GB and 32GB Trident Z Neo chips at 3600mhz CL16 vs CL18. The 16GB model costs 194,72€ plus 15€ shipping, while the 32GB is 214,99€. It seems the larger size offers better value, though it might be noticeably slower than the smaller one. Clarification: the 32GB is double the 16GB, and the 16GB is double the 8GB. No kits include a C suffix—they’re GTZN models, not GTZNC.
When RAM exceeds 16GB, low latency becomes irrelevant due to significant performance loss.
When a program demands more memory than available, it will switch to using the page file on your storage device. In Windows, this typically uses the default boot drive, which I assume is an SSD. SSDs are slower compared to DDR4, and performance would drop even more with an HDD. You won’t see any speed boost unless you exceed 16GB of RAM usage. If you’re only playing games and have 32GB in your system, but your RAM stays below 16GB at all times, the additional 16GB will remain unused.
Small improvements can be achieved on both Intel and AMD systems by using dual rank memory modules or simulated dual rank modules. These often provide more memory capacity, though the real boost comes from better configuration rather than just quantity. Whether it's worth the extra cost is unclear—it typically results in modest gains.
You're referring to the 16GB kit. I'm unsure about the exact RAM consumption since my maximum is 8GB, but I expect it to be higher with rendering, virtualization, multiple Chrome tabs, gaming, streaming, and recording.
Using virtualization means you'll need plenty of RAM, which makes the 32GB option much more attractive.
I handle my memory quickly and support tight clock speeds too. I’m comfortable running at 1.6v without any issues. Even with a single-rank setup, I can still maintain good performance compared to dual-rank configurations. You’ll notice clearer improvements when using 4x8 versus 2x8. While the difference might not be massive, it adds up. And if you can afford or already own the RAM, a 10% boost is worth pursuing.