Newb question about memory

[Dave]

What is CAS Latency? And what numbers are better? Higher or lower?

I have ZERO interested in overclocking, so if it's a OC thing, then
nevermind.

 

[BigJim]

yep only need to know if your going to OC a machine.

 

[Ed Medlin]

yep only need to know if your going to OC a machine.

Lower CAS numbers are a bit faster. You probably wouldn't notice much, if
any, real-time difference.

Ed

 

[larry moe 'n curly]

What is CAS Latency? And what numbers are better? Higher or lower?

I have ZERO interested in overclocking, so if it's a OC thing, then
nevermind.

Lower is better, but because the CPU L2 cache handles almost every
memory access, faster CAS won't be noticeable at all. It's a lot more
important for the memory to have no bad bits, and about the only way
to almost guarantee that is by purchasing modules with no heatsinks
but with chips marked with full part numbers (numbers you can Google
and get 20 pages of specifications).

 

[Dave]

Lower is better, but because the CPU L2 cache handles almost every
memory access, faster CAS won't be noticeable at all. It's a lot more
important for the memory to have no bad bits, and about the only way
to almost guarantee that is by purchasing modules with no heatsinks
but with chips marked with full part numbers (numbers you can Google
and get 20 pages of specifications).

A better plan is to purchase a good name brand (with a good warranty),
with or without heatsink. I actually prefer WITH heatsink, for a
couple of reasons. First, I don't like to use a lot of cooling fans
in a case, and the ones I do use don't move a lot of air. So the
heatsink is a good idea for quieter systems. Also, the heatsink will
keep the chips cooler, regardless of how the rest of the system is
cooled. This will help the chips last longer, decreasing the odds of
problems later. -Dave

Oh, some good brands are OCZ, Mushkin and Kingston, to mention a
few. Never had a problem with those three brands, ever.