C15 vs C16 RAM is a comparison that you are going to be looking at a lot if you want to upgrade the RAM in your systems, as both options are very popular and excellent choices to consider for a potential upgrade. You might be wondering if you can expect a significant performance difference while using both cards, and we are sorry to break it to you.
In real life, you will not be able to see much difference in performance between these two Ram types, even in gaming, and this is why we have compiled this guide so that you may have all the information you need to make a choice for your next RAM purchase. Read on to learn everything you need to know about CAS latency, how these C options impact the debate, and our take on the topic!
Contents
Comparison Table
| Features | C15 RAM Module | C16 RAM Module |
| Clock Cycles | 15 cycles | 16 cycles |
| Price | Slightly expensive | Slightly cheaper |
| Build Quality | Average | Average |
| Performance | Slightly faster | Slightly slower |
What Are the Differences Between C15 vs C16 RAM
The main difference between C15 vs C16 RAM is that C15 is one clock cycle faster than the C16, making it the better choice for some users. However, a C16 variant can outperform a C15 variant if it has a higher frequency, which will translate to even better performance.
– Latency Differences in C15 vs C16 Power Cord
When it comes to C16 RAMs, they have around 16 clock cycles of the gap between the time the CPU sends a request and when the operation is executed. On the other hand, when it comes to mixing C15 and C16 RAM, there are only 15 clock cycles between the operations’ execution and its request to the CPU.
What this means is that C15 is the faster variant between the two options because its response time is one cycle shorter than the response time of C16, making the delay equally more straightforward. In this context, when we make a comparison of RAM C15 vs C18, we are saying that the former RAM type has 15 cycles worth of CAS latency. We can also refer to this as CA 15, CL15, or CAS15 timings.
While we have discussed and established how C 15 RAM is the faster option between the two choices since it performs once cycle faster than the C 16, some users might think that this means that it is the better option. However, faster is not always better, and you should not just look for lower latency when picking out a new CPU module.
The overall performance and speed of your CPU consist of a lot more evaluation than just the latency of your RAM. You need to factor in other factors like the frequency of your RAM, which we will discuss in a later section.
– The Timings Comparison
When we evaluate RAM timings, we see a string of numbers that refers to the timing it takes, and the figure can be something like CL15-15-15-35 or CL16-18-18-38. When we mention the CAS or Column Access Strobe latency of the two modules, we are only referring to the first number of this data.
Let’s now consider what the other three numbers are a reference for. Each of them refers to an entirely different type of delay or latency that we find in RAM functions. Since a RAM module is set up on a grid with many different columns and rows, there can be a few delays in the overall execution. Each of the other three numbers in the string of the trimmings is a reference to an aspect of the RAM’s column and row setup. The second and third numbers are the tRCD (Row Address to Column Address Delay) and the tRP (Row Precharge Time).
The second number is the tRC, also known as the Row Address to Column Address Delay, and it refers to the delay between the time your computer identifies a specific row in your RAM setup and the time it takes for it to reach the exact part in which the required data is contained.
The third number is called the tRP or the Row Precharge Time. This number is a reference to the total delay and time it takes for the RAM module to open a new row. The fourth number is the tRAS or Row Active Time, and it refers to the smallest number of clock cycles needed by a row to stay open so that the data on the drive is written up and read properly.
The other numbers are not particularly important if we are enthusiasts who like to practice overclocking. They can look into the meaning of these numbers, but it is crucial to practice caution when changing them.
– Practical Comparison of Both RAM Types
To put the information in the above sections in a condensed manner, you can expect a shorter delay if you have a shorter clock cycle and higher frequency.
So if you are comparing two modules with the same CAS latency, you need to pick the one that has the higher frequency. In practice, if you have a GB DDR4-3200 MHz with C16 and a DDR4-2133MHz with C16, you cannot expect the same performance just because their CAS latency is latency. Since the DDR4-3200 has a higher frequency, it will perform much faster.
– General Comparison
If your brain can still not handle all the excess information, you can use our simple rule when picking out the next RAM module. You should always buy the RAM that has the lowest CAS latency and the highest frequency, which is also in your budget. If you do this, you will be able to transfer the maximum amount of data your RAM can receive and share per second while minimizing the delay between the two operations.
If you need to choose between two RAM kits where both the CAS latencies and the frequencies are different, it might be time to put on the technical cloak. You can use a simple formula to figure out which RAM is going to be the best choice for you.
All you need to do is divide the performance speed by the RAM latency, and this will show you which of your options performs the fastest. You need to pick the one with the highest number.
What Is C15 RAM Best For
C15 modules of RAM are best for use with all CPU types when you want a RAM type that is 15 clock cycles worth in speed. If you pair these modules with a high-frequency number, they can provide excellent speed for all CPU operations.
What Is C16 RAM Best For
C16 RAM is best for fast tasks as it has a delay of 1 clock cycle in between operations, and as such, they are able to perform almost as fast as C15 modules. If they have better frequency and other factors, they can easily outperform C15 modules in speed and performance with every task.
FAQ
1. What Is the Meaning of Frequency as a Measure of RAM Speed?
To understand the frequency or speed of your RAM, it is basically the number of cycles or operations that your RAM can handle per second. An evaluation of your RAM will tell you the number of mega transfers, which are 1,000,000 data transfers, that your RAM can take per second. When we measure the speed of our RAM, we must do so in MHz or megahertz.
In evaluation, if we look at a DDR4-3200 RAM module, it can handle around 3200(3,200,000,000) mega transfers in one second. Since both latency and frequency affect the clock cycle, it is equally important to consider both of them. While the CAS latency measures the delay in clock cycles between performing and receiving a request from the CPU, the frequency determines the overall time it takes to complete a clock cycle.
2. Are the Performance and Speed of RAMs Equally Important?
If you have ever purchased RAM for your computer or tried to study the concept on the world wide web, you are certainly well acquainted with the idea of RAM speed. RAM speed is measured in megahertz, and speeds vary between 3200 MHz, 2133 MHz, and 1600 MHz, and some can even go up to 4266 MHz.
To understand this more practically, you can assume that as the number of MHz increases on the computer, this typically means that the time taken to complete each clock cycle in that setup goes down, enabling the CPU to process more information.
This does not mean that you chase after an MHz number to keep boosting your CPU performance because there is a certain point after which, no matter how much you increase your CPU’s specs, the performance will not be affected at all. This is because after you have reached a certain level of your speed, your CPU and hardware setup will just not be strong enough to process the information any faster.
This means that high numbers like 5800 MHz of speed, for instance, will not make much difference to your CPU if it is not strong enough to work at that level. Let’s now look at how all of this fits in with the argument and discussion regarding CAS latency.
For users who are wondering is c16 ram good for gaming, the first thing they have to understand is that the performance of your RAM is equal parts dependent on everything from your CAS latency to your computer’s frequency, which is why you should consider both specs when you buy a new RAM module for your computer system.
3. What Is CAS Latency?
The first thing that you need to know about latency, in general, is that it is all about timing. When we look at this from a technical aspect, this is a reference to the delay that occurs between an instruction to transfer some data and your computer’s execution of that request.
If we use the exact definition to understand the relation to RAM, CAS latency in RAM terms is the total time that the RAM takes to access a specific data set in one of the columns and make that data available to the system after it has been requested to take action by the memory controller.
To put it more simply, CAS latency is a reference to the total number of clock cycles between the time your computer sends a request to your RAM and when the RAM performs that action, like presenting some data.
Conclusion
To conclude our discussion on CAS latency and C15 vs C16 comparisons, it is going to be very difficult to see any significant changes in performance with either choice as long as your computer has enough RAM to satisfy its purposes and you do not set the frequency of performance very high. If you really look into it with a practical outlook, it is clear that latency is just not as important as frequency and storage when it comes to taking a measure of your RAM system’s optimal performance level.
However, if you are bringing down your comparison of these two RAM kits and choosing one for optimal performance, provided they have the same frequencies, we recommend going with the C15 over choosing the C16. This is partly because the C15 has a much shorter latency, which can seem to give the RAM kit an extra 1 to 3 FPS (Frames Per Second) on average while gaming. Now, we realize that this might be a slight difference, but if you are going to make a choice, it is better to make the best one!