Cas latency related to audio latency???

AB3 · 10th July 2008

I noticed that I can get DDR2 ram with cas latency of 5 or 4.
If I go with DDR3 1800, the cas latency will likely by 7 or 8.

Does this mean higher audio latency with the DDR3??

THANKS for any help in explaining this.

TheBluesBrother · 10th July 2008

No.
The CAS latency numbers refer to the number of clock cycles between the memory controller's request for data and that data being fed out to the front side bus. Besides not having much to do with the audio path per se, considering that your processor runs in the gigahertz range, I can't imagine 2 or 3 billionths of a second will make any difference. You can do more of the math if you feel so inclined, but I'd rather go get a beer.

Of course, some "audiophile" nutjob will probably claim that the faster memory increases the "air" or something.

Also, check the requirements for your mobo, you may not have too much choice in what memory to get.

AB3 · 11th July 2008

Thanks. Anyone have more to add to this. I cannot believe how little discussion there is about this issue.

thedigitalgod · 11th July 2008

it really has nothing to do with audio latency and is quite arguable if it has anything to do with speed of processing on a practical level.

diffusion · 11th July 2008

ANd the cycles are quicker so the 8 cycles would take less time.

So technically DDR2 800 with a CAS latency of 4 (very common) would be the same as DDR3 1600 with a CAS latency of 8, that is, if you simplify it. SO tecnically the DDR3 1800 is faster perfomance wise, but DDR2 800 is perfectly fine and is much cheaper (costs about $40 for 2 gigs compared to $200 for 2 gigs.)

Honestly, just get the DDR2 800, and spend your money on something that really will help, like a better proccessor, or quieter fans, a quieter PSU, or possibly the best one another hard drive.

10th July 2008	#1
AB3 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,620 Thread Starter	Cas latency related to audio latency??? I noticed that I can get DDR2 ram with cas latency of 5 or 4. If I go with DDR3 1800, the cas latency will likely by 7 or 8. Does this mean higher audio latency with the DDR3?? THANKS for any help in explaining this.

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10th July 2008	#2
TheBluesBrother Gear Head Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 52	No. The CAS latency numbers refer to the number of clock cycles between the memory controller's request for data and that data being fed out to the front side bus. Besides not having much to do with the audio path per se, considering that your processor runs in the gigahertz range, I can't imagine 2 or 3 billionths of a second will make any difference. You can do more of the math if you feel so inclined, but I'd rather go get a beer. Of course, some "audiophile" nutjob will probably claim that the faster memory increases the "air" or something. Also, check the requirements for your mobo, you may not have too much choice in what memory to get.

11th July 2008	#3
AB3 Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,620 Thread Starter	Thanks. Anyone have more to add to this. I cannot believe how little discussion there is about this issue.

11th July 2008	#4
thedigitalgod Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 776	it really has nothing to do with audio latency and is quite arguable if it has anything to do with speed of processing on a practical level.

11th July 2008	#5
diffusion Gear interested Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4	ANd the cycles are quicker so the 8 cycles would take less time. So technically DDR2 800 with a CAS latency of 4 (very common) would be the same as DDR3 1600 with a CAS latency of 8, that is, if you simplify it. SO tecnically the DDR3 1800 is faster perfomance wise, but DDR2 800 is perfectly fine and is much cheaper (costs about $40 for 2 gigs compared to $200 for 2 gigs.) Honestly, just get the DDR2 800, and spend your money on something that really will help, like a better proccessor, or quieter fans, a quieter PSU, or possibly the best one another hard drive.