what does timing mean?

Finrir · August 5th, 2007

alright, when i look at memory i know what everything means, for the most part. but when i look at this crucial ballistix tracer 2 GB it says the timing is 5-5-5-15. what does that mean?

Lead Head · August 5th, 2007

While I'm not entirely sure, but I think timing is how many clock-cycles in takes the memory to do a certain operation. Like it may take 3 cycles to read a certain chunk of data, then 5 cycle to write a certain chunk. Like I said I'm not entirely sure, so you might wait until someone who knows more about RAM pops in.

**Hitman** · August 5th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lead Head

While I'm not entirely sure, but I think timing is how many clock-cycles in takes the memory to do a certain operation. Like it may take 3 cycles to read a certain chunk of data, then 5 cycle to write a certain chunk. Like I said I'm not entirely sure, so you might wait until someone who knows more about RAM pops in.

Whats this? Boy Genius doesn't know the answer? Whats the matter google not working for you this morning?

Here is a pretty good explanation of it. CoolTechZone.com - Memory Timings Explained

Computer-Ed · August 5th, 2007

There is a long explination for this but for the purpose of purchasing choices a tech from Corsair broke it down simple. The performance difference between the various latencies will only really show up in benchmarks, in real world use the difference is none existent. However if you want to overclock the RAM then the lower latency RAM is super. The tighter timings at stock speed mean you have head room to loosen the timings for overclocking and can thus push the RAM speed higher.

If you are buying RAM worries about the BUS speed and amount of RAM. Once you have found those numbers then look for the lowest latency that fits within your budget, or ignore it all together if you have no plans to overclock.

Yellowhello · August 5th, 2007

The lower the timing, the faster (i.e. 4-4-4-12 is faster than 5-5-5-15) but not by much. Some people loosen the timings (i.e. 4 to 5) to allow a higher bus speed overclock (bus speed trumps timings).

Hope that helps!

TheDude · August 5th, 2007

Here are a few links if you want to take the time to read them. They give a basic understanding of what all the numbers stand for.

Overclock.net
AMD

Hope this helps

TheDude

August 5th, 2007	#1
Finrir weeeeeeeeeee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 44	what does timing mean? alright, when i look at memory i know what everything means, for the most part. but when i look at this crucial ballistix tracer 2 GB it says the timing is 5-5-5-15. what does that mean?

August 5th, 2007	#2
Lead Head Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rhode Island USA Posts: 1,716	Re: what does timing mean? While I'm not entirely sure, but I think timing is how many clock-cycles in takes the memory to do a certain operation. Like it may take 3 cycles to read a certain chunk of data, then 5 cycle to write a certain chunk. Like I said I'm not entirely sure, so you might wait until someone who knows more about RAM pops in. Opteron 64 165--1.5GB DDR--ECS KA1 MVP(thanks HL!)--x1800GTO 256MB--Seagate 320GB SATA--Antec 550 Watt--Antec P180

August 5th, 2007	#4
Computer-Ed .. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 452	Re: what does timing mean? There is a long explination for this but for the purpose of purchasing choices a tech from Corsair broke it down simple. The performance difference between the various latencies will only really show up in benchmarks, in real world use the difference is none existent. However if you want to overclock the RAM then the lower latency RAM is super. The tighter timings at stock speed mean you have head room to loosen the timings for overclocking and can thus push the RAM speed higher. If you are buying RAM worries about the BUS speed and amount of RAM. Once you have found those numbers then look for the lowest latency that fits within your budget, or ignore it all together if you have no plans to overclock. Computer Ed Core2 Duo E6600 \| Gigabyte 916P-DS3 \| 4 Gig Corsair XMS2 \| ATI HD 2900XT X Fi Xtreme Gamer \| WD SE16 32 Gig \|Liteon 20X DVDRW SATA \| Bose Companion 2.0 Antec Nine Hundred \| Thermaltake Toughtpower 1KW \| BenQ FP202W \| Vista Ultimate 64

August 5th, 2007	#5
Yellowhello Foto Lord Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pacific Grove, CA Posts: 4,351	Re: what does timing mean? The lower the timing, the faster (i.e. 4-4-4-12 is faster than 5-5-5-15) but not by much. Some people loosen the timings (i.e. 4 to 5) to allow a higher bus speed overclock (bus speed trumps timings). Hope that helps!

August 5th, 2007	#6
TheDude Off saving the world Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CA Posts: 16	Re: what does timing mean? Here are a few links if you want to take the time to read them. They give a basic understanding of what all the numbers stand for. Overclock.net AMD Hope this helps TheDude Let's just keep it at "Dude its Dell" Yes I am pricing out a new one to build.

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