1. Introduction
When it comes to operating memory, most people focus on parameters like capacity and operating frequency, as these two factors largely determine whether the memory is sufficient and its overall performance. However, apart from these, there is another important parameter that also significantly affects memory performance: timing.
The lower the memory timing, the lower the latency, the faster the data access speed, and the better the performance and smoothness. This is especially evident in applications that require large data transfers or high-frequency operations, such as high-performance computing, high-load database operations, gaming, and video editing.
This article will compare the gaming performance of G.SKILL 32GB DDR5 6000MHz with timings of 36-40-40-98 and 28-36-36-96 to verify the actual performance difference, for reference by interested readers.
2. Test Platform Configuration
The main configuration is as follows:
Processor: Ryzen 9 9950X
Motherboard: MSI MPG X670E CARBON
Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 4090
Storage: Two Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSDs
Operating System: Windows 11
Memory: G.SKILL 32GB DDR5 6000MHz with timings of 36-40-40-98 and 28-36-36-96, hereinafter referred to as “CL36 platform” and “CL28 platform.”
3. Gaming Test (DDR5 6000 CL28 vs CL36)
The following tests were conducted on seven games, all using 1080P maximum graphic settings. In the images below, the left side represents the CL36 platform, and the right side represents the CL28 platform.
The first game is Ghostwire: Tokyo.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 191 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 110 FPS, the frame time is 5.5ms, the CPU usage is 13%, power consumption is 118W, temperature is 63°C, memory usage is 12.1GB, GPU usage is 89%, VRAM usage is 5.8GB, power consumption is 247W, and temperature is 49°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 197 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 147 FPS, the frame time is 5.1ms, the CPU usage is 13%, power consumption is 116W, temperature is 61°C, memory usage is 11.3GB, GPU usage is 92%, VRAM usage is 5.5GB, power consumption is 254W, and temperature is 49°C.
In this game, the CPU usage is the same on both platforms. The CL28 platform uses 0.8GB less memory, the GPU usage is 3% higher, and the VRAM usage is 0.3GB lower.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 6 FPS higher, the minimum instant frame rate is 37 FPS higher, and the stability is noticeably better. The frame times are nearly identical.
The second game is Cyberpunk 2077.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 92 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 73 FPS, the frame time is 10.1ms, the CPU usage is 38%, power consumption is 156W, temperature is 73°C, memory usage is 12.1GB, GPU usage is 66%, VRAM usage is 9.2GB, power consumption is 212W, and temperature is 47°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 97 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 74 FPS, the frame time is 9.6ms, the CPU usage is 38%, power consumption is 158W, temperature is 69°C, memory usage is 12.0GB, GPU usage is 73%, VRAM usage is 8.4GB, power consumption is 209W, and temperature is 46°C.
In this game, the CPU usage remains the same on both platforms, and memory usage is very similar. The CL28 platform has a 7% higher GPU usage and 0.8GB less VRAM usage.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 5 FPS higher, with the minimum frame rate and frame time being almost identical, showing a very slight advantage.
The third game is Horizon Forbidden West.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 123 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 96 FPS, the frame time is 10.1ms, the CPU usage is 55%, power consumption is 159W, temperature is 82°C, memory usage is 12.6GB, GPU usage is 75%, VRAM usage is 9.6GB, power consumption is 191W, and temperature is 46°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 136 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 98 FPS, the frame time is 6.9ms, the CPU usage is 49%, power consumption is 161W, temperature is 74°C, memory usage is 12.0GB, GPU usage is 76%, VRAM usage is 9.7GB, power consumption is 194W, and temperature is 46°C.
In this game, the CL28 platform has 6% lower CPU usage, 0.6GB less memory usage, and almost identical GPU usage and VRAM usage.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 13 FPS higher, with the minimum frame rate being 2 FPS higher, and the frame time is 3ms lower, although the performance difference is subtle but noticeable to the eye.
The fourth game is Stalker 2.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 89 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 40 FPS, the frame time is 10.8ms, the CPU usage is 34%, power consumption is 150W, temperature is 71°C, memory usage is 17.3GB, GPU usage is 67%, VRAM usage is 8.1GB, power consumption is 188W, and temperature is 46°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 92 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 39 FPS, the frame time is 10.9ms, the CPU usage is 34%, power consumption is 150W, temperature is 70°C, memory usage is 17.3GB, GPU usage is 75%, VRAM usage is 7.5GB, power consumption is 202W, and temperature is 45°C.
In this game, CPU usage and memory usage are similar between the platforms, with the CL28 platform having 8% higher GPU usage and 0.6GB less VRAM usage.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 3 FPS higher, while the minimum frame rate is 1 FPS lower, and the frame times are almost identical, showing negligible difference.
The fifth game is Microsoft Flight Simulator.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 77 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 64 FPS, the frame time is 13.0ms, the CPU usage is 31%, power consumption is 135W, temperature is 68°C, memory usage is 25.4GB, GPU usage is 82%, VRAM usage is 9.6GB, power consumption is 231W, and temperature is 50°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 80 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 62 FPS, the frame time is 11.6ms, the CPU usage is 32%, power consumption is 137W, temperature is 65°C, memory usage is 24.6GB, GPU usage is 85%, VRAM usage is 9.2GB, power consumption is 237W, and temperature is 48°C.
In this game, CPU usage is similar across both platforms. The CL28 platform uses 0.8GB less memory, has 3% higher GPU usage, and 0.4GB less VRAM usage.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 3 FPS higher, with the minimum frame rate being 2 FPS lower, and the frame time is approximately 1ms shorter, showing a very slight advantage.
The sixth game is Hogwarts Legacy.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 69 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 47 FPS, the frame time is 14.5ms, the CPU usage is 17%, power consumption is 122W, temperature is 61°C, memory usage is 20.8GB, GPU usage is 53%, VRAM usage is 10.5GB, power consumption is 195W, and temperature is 46°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 68 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 49 FPS, the frame time is 14.4ms, the CPU usage is 19%, power consumption is 125W, temperature is 61°C, memory usage is 20.6GB, GPU usage is 57%, VRAM usage is 10.6GB, power consumption is 211W, and temperature is 46°C.
In this game, the CL28 platform has 2% higher CPU usage, 0.2GB less memory usage, and 4% higher GPU usage, with VRAM usage being nearly identical.
In terms of average frame rate, both platforms are nearly identical. The CL28 platform has a 2 FPS higher minimum instant frame rate, with frame times being almost the same, showing negligible differences.
The seventh game is Starfield.
On the CL36 platform, the average frame rate is 125 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 89 FPS, the frame time is 7.9ms, the CPU usage is 39%, power consumption is 168W, temperature is 80°C, memory usage is 14.2GB, GPU usage is 68%, VRAM usage is 6.5GB, power consumption is 209W, and temperature is 46°C.
On the CL28 platform, the average frame rate is 132 FPS, the minimum instant frame rate is 96 FPS, the frame time is 7.8ms, the CPU usage is 39%, power consumption is 170W, temperature is 79°C, memory usage is 13.9GB, GPU usage is 73%, VRAM usage is 6.6GB, power consumption is 224W, and temperature is 48°C.
In this game, the CPU usage is the same between both platforms, with the CL28 platform using 0.3GB less memory, 5% higher GPU usage, and almost identical VRAM usage.
In terms of average frame rate, the CL28 platform is 7 FPS higher, with the minimum frame rate also 7 FPS higher, and the frame times are almost identical, showing a slight overall advantage.
4. Comparison Conclusion
Overall, in gaming scenarios, the advantage of the CL28 platform over the CL36 platform is not huge, but it is quite noticeable.
The average frame rate is generally higher, the minimum instant frame rate is higher, and the frame time is lower. The overall performance and stability of the game are indeed stronger. This difference may not matter to casual gamers, but it is significant for high-end gamers.
The final conclusion is: When purchasing memory, it is best to choose memory with lower default timings. For those with some technical knowledge and hands-on ability, adjusting the timings in the BIOS can improve performance, provided stability is ensured. However, for beginners, it is not recommended to make changes.
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