SDRAM - CAS2 vs. CAS3

[DirtyBird]

I'm getting a new system. And I was wondering, 128 MB of PC133 CAS3 RAM is $20 cheaper than equivalent CAS2 RAM, is it worth it to go ahead and get CAS2?(remember this is $60 vs. $80) I understand the mechanics of it. Just dunno if it's worth it. Of course It's not much money, but I'm under a certain budget and I wonder if that extra money would be better put elsewhere. Also, this will be used primarily as a gaming machine and to surf the 'net. So is it worth an extra $20?

[hiredgoonz]

I'd go ahead and get the cas2...the cas3 will probably run at the cas2 setting, but it might not...(And my mobo makes this annoying beep when the setting is at cas3 and recommends I change it to cas2...)

Honestly, you probably won't notice a performance difference, but why do something that will degrade the performance on any level? And if you're like most people, you'll probably regret not spending the $20 at some point in the future...

[ixl]

Unless you are planning to overclock, get the less expensive RAM. Not really worth paying extra for the CAS2.

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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[mjc]

There is one other consideration, what does the MOBO maufacturer suggest for that particular board. Some say CAS2 or 3 others say CAS2. So if the MOBO says either and your not going to overclock then it's just a question of how much you want to spend.

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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[hiredgoonz]

Like I said, you probably won't notice a performance difference, but if you buy the cas3 and set the board at cas3, you'll always know that you're not getting the OPTIMAL performance out of your system...

That would bother me...unless you have a very specific idea of where that $20 would be better spent, why do anything at all that would hinder your performance?

[ixl]

Because the difference in performance is negligible. Probably on the order of 1% if your system even recognizes the difference between the types. It's in the noise.

------------------
Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.

[DirtyBird]

Well, since it's going ot be Duron based, I could probably spend it to get an extra 50-100 MHz or maybe upgade to a same speed T-Bird, or perhaps spend it on better speakers, or maybe even on the Abit KT7A's RAID option...who knows...you never run out of ways to spend money when it comes to computers!



[This message has been edited by DirtyBird (edited 02-18-2001).]

[supa_dre]

the CAS2 is faster

CL2 parts process data a little quicker than CL3 parts in that you have to wait one less clock cycle for the initial data. However, after the first piece of data is processed, the rest of the data is processed at equal speeds. Latency only affects the initial burst of data. Once data starts flowing, there is no effect. Bear in mind, a clock cycle for a PC100 module is 10 nanoseconds so you probably won't notice a significant performance difference. Most systems will accept either latency part. However, there are some systems that require either CL2 or CL3 parts. These requirements are built into our Memory Selector™.

this info can be found here...... http://support.crucial.com/scripts/crucial.exe/faq

[hiredgoonz]

Hey, if you're going to use the $20 for an upgrade to a Tbird from a duron, or to get a faster Duron, go with the cheaper ram...like I said (and everyone else has also pointed out) you shouldn't see any performance difference between the two...

But bear in mind that if you DO decide to overclock, or want to use the ram in the future, the cas2 may be a better investment...