1. What is RAM Latency?

RAM latency measures the time delay between when a memory controller requests data and when the data is available. It's a critical performance metric for memory modules, measured in nanoseconds (ns).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RAM latency equation:

Where:

• \( CAS\ Latency \) — Column Address Strobe latency in cycles
• \( Clock\ Speed \) — Memory clock speed in MHz
• \( 2000 \) — Conversion factor (1000 for MHz to ns and ×2 for DDR double data rate)

Explanation: The equation converts clock cycles to time (nanoseconds) accounting for DDR memory's effective clock rate.

3. Importance of RAM Latency

Details: Lower latency means faster response times. While higher frequency RAM can transfer more data, lower latency RAM can be more responsive for certain workloads.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the CAS Latency (CL) value from your RAM specs and the clock speed in MHz. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is CAS Latency?
A: CAS Latency (CL) is the number of clock cycles between sending a column address to memory and receiving the first bit of data.

Q2: What are typical RAM latency values?
A: DDR4 typically has 15-19ns latency, while DDR5 may have higher absolute latency (20-25ns) but compensates with higher bandwidth.

Q3: Is lower latency always better?
A: Generally yes, but the impact depends on workload. Some applications benefit more from bandwidth than latency.

Q4: Why multiply by 2000?
A: 1000 converts MHz to ns (1/1000 MHz = 1 ns), and ×2 accounts for DDR (Double Data Rate) memory.

Q5: How can I find my RAM's CAS Latency?
A: Check your RAM specifications, use CPU-Z, or look in BIOS/UEFI settings.