Deciding between G.SKILL Trident Z memory Model F4-3200C16D-32GTZRX vs. F4-3200C14D-32GTZR

[kbdeamon]

Hi guys,

I’m a CAS idiot and I’m having trouble deciding between the the below-listed G.SKILL memory. I do see that the timing is different but is it worth the price? I see that one is specifically for an AMD platform but it does not see to make a difference according to the following thread (See G.SKILL “AMD Compatible” Trident Z RGB Kits difference?).

Any help much appreciated. Many thanks!

https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232752?Item=N82E16820232752 ( * DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600, * Timing 16-18-18-38, CAS Latency 16, Voltage 1.35V)

vs.

https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232560?Item=N82E16820232560 ( * DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600), * Timing 14-14-14-34, * CAS Latency 14,* Voltage 1.35V).

[catsay]

Buy the F4-3200C16D-32GTZRX you’re not going to miss the tiny difference. If you’re second guessing the value, it’s not worth it for you. That extra leftover money is put to better use elsewhere in the system or where ever you choose. Then try clocking it at 16-16-16-40 and see how it does.

Sincerely,
a memory hacker

[kbdeamon]

Hi, thanks a lot. I never played with memory timings before. Does this have a chance of ruining the memory? Also, it should also work on intel platforms right, this AMD thing is throwing me off. Sorry for the newb question.

[catsay]

First of all we’ve got a big resource of threads all about RAM and RAM overclocking

General Guide on RAM

RAM - Random Access Memory Guide Random Access Memory/RAM is an important part of your computer. This is a guide is meant to help explain what it is, what it does, how it affects things on your computer, and getting the right RAM. Table of Contents The beginnings of DRAM What it is and What it does How it Affects APUS RAM and Video Editing RAM and Video Games Getting the Right RAM for your motherboard or laptop More resources on RAM Wiki Talk Page for General Guide on RAM Rules for Contributing to the Wiki The beginnings of DRAM While various others forms of RAM have existed for much of computing history, capacitive DRAM based on field effect transistors similar to what we know today was first invented in 1966 by Dr. Robert Dennard at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center. Dennard, at the time a fellow at the IBM research center was working on field effect transistors and integrated circuits. After observing colleagues working on thin film memory technology using the then standard six-transistor memory cell for each bit of data, he struck upon the idea of creating a simpler memory cell. [The DRAM memory of Robert Dennard] He devised a way of using a single capacitor. The problem with capacitors though is that they loose their charge over time, it ‘leaks’ away. Thus it was combined with a single field effect transistor that is repeatedly ‘dynamically’ refreshing the charge of the capacitor to it’s correct voltage depending on if the capacitor is storing a 1 (charged) or a 0 (discharged/less charged). IBM and Dennard were granted U.S. patent #3387286 for DRAM in 1968. [Who invented the Intel 1103 Chip] As this later patent shows the new Capacitive Filed Effect transistor DRAM was a revolutionary improvement over the prior 6 transistor design, being cited in no fewer than 168 other patents of new RAM technologies. Among those companies was Intel, at the time Intel was less concerned with acquiring patents but rather canvasing the entire industry looking fo…

Now to answer your questions: There’s no chance of damaging the memory unless you push the voltages too high. If you remain at 1.35V or 1.4V you will be absolutely fine. The main risk is running your memory at an unstable configuration which can result in memory errors (if you have the wrong timings/clock rate/voltage set).

That memory can clock a bit faster than the rated spec (3200Mhz 16-18-18-38) - Often to 3400Mhz. if you increase the voltage above 1.35V (base oc)

There’s also a handy tool to help with Ryzen RAM OC

DRAM Calculator for Ryzen

And you can use memtest to test your RAM stability
https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

Once you have some RAM don’t be afraid to tinker with it and ask more questions.

Regarding some of the risks involved:

RAM overclocking and degradation

In one of his recent videos (see below) Buildzoid overclocks a RAM kit and also mentions that (apparently) RAM does not really suffer from degradation when it’s overclocked and even when the voltage is increased. (It rather just runs less stable). So basically, overclocking RAM translates to getting free extra performance without any drawbacks? Is this true, or am I getting this wrong somehow?

And the Guide from Buildzoid that’s referenced in that thread

[catsay]

Sorry for the newb question.

No need to apologize for asking a question.
That’s what this forum is for.

[kbdeamon]

This is awesome! Thank you very much.

[BarkingMad]

I’ve been using G.Skill pretty exclusively for the past few years. Once I finalize the objectives and the configuration for a new build, I always send G.Skill an e-mail describing what I am trying to accomplish and ask for their RAM recommendation. They always get back to me within 48 hours (except for weekends, of course) and I’ve never been disappointed with their suggestion(s).

Just a thought …

[kbdeamon]

Great, thanks.